Graduate Employees

Graduate Assistant

Graduate students registered for the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois may be appointed to a monthly paid assistantship or as a grad hourly.

Monthly assistants have the titles Grad Teaching Assistant, Grad Research Assistant, Grad Assistant, Pre-Professional Grad Assistant, and Grad Teaching Assistant Required.

Grads must be appointed between 25% and 67% for 91 or more continuous days in order to qualify for a Tuition Waiver. Grads less than 25% or more than 67% are not eligible for a waiver.

Grads on an F1/J1 VISA who do not have “Optional Practical Training” may not work more than 20 hours per week, while school is in session. This is a Federal Government restriction.

Graduate student appointments. There are four types of graduate assistantships:

Research Assistant – The duties of a Graduate Research Assistant primarily involve applying and mastering research concepts, practices, or methods of scholarship. Examples of typical responsibilities include conducting experiments, organizing or analyzing data, presenting findings in a publication or dissertation, collaborating with faculty in preparing publications, overseeing work of other RAs, and other research activities.

Pre-Professional Graduate Assistant – Pre-Professional Graduate Assistants are appointed to non-TA/non-RA assistantship positions, in which they primarily gain experience, practice, or guidance that is significantly connected to their fields of study and career preparation.

Teaching Assistant – The duties of a Graduate Teaching Assistant are primarily in support of instruction and include such responsibilities as teaching classes, grading student assignments, leading lab or discussion groups in a course setting, developing academic instructional materials, accompanying/coaching musical or vocal performances, providing artistic instruction, proctoring exams, overseeing/coordinating the work of other TAs, holding office hours, tutoring students. Teaching assistant positions are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (PDF) with the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).

Graduate Assistant (Administrative) – The duties of a Graduate Assistant are primarily in support of administrative functions and include such general functions and typical duties as providing technical/support services, advising students, etc. Graduate Assistants (Administrative) are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (PDF) with the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO).

Link to Graduate Assistantship Resources