Graduate Stipends 2007 - 2008

View PDF version of the official memo here.
Note: Updated April 2007

TO:             Deans, Department Chairs, and Graduate Directors THROUGH:  William W. Destler, Senior Vice President FROM:         Charles Caramello, Dean DATE:         April 27, 2007 SUBJECT: Stipend Levels for Graduate Assistants and Fellows for FY 2008 All graduate assistants and graduate fellows must receive an increase of at least 4.55% for FY 2008, including all those supported on state and research accounts. Although graduate programs may have made FY 2008 offers of financial support to students on the basis of FY 2007 stipend levels, programs must adjust FY 2008 stipends to meet the guidelines below. Graduate Assistantship Stipends All graduate assistants fall into one of three steps: Step I is only for first-year graduate assistants; Step II is for second-year assistants, as well as those students, new or continuing, holding a master's degree; and Step III is reserved for doctoral candidates. The Graduate School sets the minimum stipend level for Step I. Each unit is responsible for insuring that its current stipend levels for Steps II and III are increased by at least 4.55%. There are no caps on the stipend amount for any step, or on how much any one step can be increased in relation to other steps. All graduate assistants working within a particular step, in a particular unit, must be paid the same stipend amount. Minimum Stipends for Graduate Assistantships are as follows: Step I- 9-month Assitantship $13,098 Step I- 9.5-month assistantship $13,826 Step I- 12-month Assistantship $17,464 NOTE: Teaching Assistants must be offered a 9.5-month or 12-month assistantship due to duties and responsibilities occurring after the last day of classes. Graduate Fellowship Stipends: 9.5-Month All graduate fellows fall into one of three steps. Step I is only for first-year graduate fellows; Step IIis for second-year fellows, as well as those students, new or continuing, holding a master's degree; and Step III is reserved for doctoral candidates. The Graduate School sets the minimum stipend level for Steps I, II, and III. There are no caps on the stipend amount for any step, or on how much any one step can be increased in relation to other steps. Minimum Stipends for Graduate Fellowships are as follows: Step I $13,925 Step II $14,355 Step III $15,212 International Students on Assistantships or Fellowships International students offered a 9 or 9.5-month assistantship or fellowship must be provided additional summer support or must show proof of private financial resources. In either case, the total 12-month amount must equal or exceed the amount required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain an immigration visa. If you have questions or concerns regarding the guidelines above, please contact John Mollish, Assistant Dean (x57792) or Barbara Ferguson, Fellowship Coordinator (x50371) for assistance.   Cc: John Blair Linda Clement Barbara Hope John Porcari William McLean Valerie Woolston