GTA/GRA Benefits info

The University is authorized by Kansas statutes and administrative regulations to provide graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) and graduate research assistants (GRAs) with certain benefits that are not available to other students. This summary is provided for informational purposes only. For information about specific benefits for which you are eligible, contact the individuals who are listed at the bottom of page 2.

1. STAFF RATES. Graduate students with GTA or GRA appointments of 40% or more are eligible for staff (resident) rates for tuition, as are individuals who hold concurrent GTA and GRA appointments totaling 40% or more. To be eligible for staff rates, a GTA must have a fall GTA appointment that starts no later than September 1 and continues for a minimum of four months. GTA spring appointments must start no later than January 16 and continue for a minimum of four months. A graduate research assistant must have a salaried appointment starting no later than the first day of the first full month of the semester (September or February) and continuing through the 60th class day of the semester.

2. PAYMENT OF TUITION. Depending on the level of appointment, the University pays all or some of a GTA's tuition, including any differential tuition assessed by the school and the Edwards Campus program fee. If the student is eligible for staff rates, these will be assessed before applying the tuition waiver. Tuition payment for GTAs is as follows.

Percentage appointment Percentage of tuition
paid by University
40% or more 100%
30% but less than 40% 75%
20% but less than 30% 50%
10% but less than 20% 25%

In certain instances, GRA tuition may be paid by the grant. For information about your specific situation, contact the Principal Investigator for your grant. Also, departments may nominate doctoral students on GRA appointments for University-sponsored tuition assistance. Further information about this program is available on the Provost Office website (www.ku.edu/~provost/) under "GRA Tuition Assistance Guidelines."

3. PAYMENT OF REQUIRED CAMPUS FEES. For GTAs, the University pays required campus fees for three credit hours per semester in accordance with the table and restrictions set forth below.

Percentage appointment Percentage of campus fees for three
credit hours paid by University
40% or more 100%
30% but less than 40% 75%
20% but less than 30% 50%
10% but less than 20% 25%

The GTA is responsible for paying the remainder of the required campus fee assessment, any applicable off-campus area service fees, e.g., Edwards Campus construction fee, Union fee, and required fee; mediated course fees; optional fees; Housing costs; and other specialized fees.

4. TUITION AND FEE ASSESSMENTS IN CASE OF RESIGNATION OR TERMINATION. If a GTA resigns or abandons his or her position during the semester, or the appointment is terminated during the semester, the GTA must pay resident or non-resident tuition and fees for that semester, as appropriate given the GTA's residence status as a student who does not hold a GTA appointment. If a GRA resigns or abandons the GRA position or the appointment is terminated, the GRA will lose his or her eligibility for staff rates and, if a non-resident, will be required to pay non-resident tuition for that semester.

5. DEFERMENT OF TUITION AND FEES. To aid in budgeting, the University offered returning GTAs and GRAs the option of deferring payment for any tuition and required campus fees until February 15. The deadline for returning graduate students to request a fee deferment for the spring semester has passed. Tuition and fees for incoming graduate students who enroll next week will be due on or before February 15. Please note that Housing costs and optional campus fees are not eligible for deferment.

6. PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES BY CREDIT CARD. If you are a returning graduate student who has missed the deadline for deferment of tuition and fees, or if you have housing costs or optional fees that are not eligible for deferment, you may pay Spring 2005 tuition and fees on line using a MasterCard or Discover account. TO do so, log into Kyou and click "Enroll and Pay." There will be a 2.25% technology fee assessed on each MasterCard/Discover transaction, but if you use an e-check, you are not assessed a fee.

7. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS. In order to hold a GTA or GRA appointment, a student normally must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours required for his/her graduate degree program. Depending on departmental requirements, GTAs and GRAs may be expected to enroll in more than 6 hours. An exception to the 6-hour enrollment requirement can be made for doctoral students who hold GTA or GRA appointments and who have successfully completed the comprehensive examination, all other Graduate School and departmental requirements for candidacy for the doctoral degree, and 18 post-comprehensive hours. When these requirements are met, a form, "Certification for Graduate Teaching Assistants/Graduate Research Assistants Eligibility to Enroll in Fewer than Six Hours" must be completed and approved by the Provost's Office. The form is available on the Provost Office website. GRAs who are completing master's programs AND do not plan to begin doctoral work at KU may enroll in fewer than 6 hours during their final semester IF they need fewer than 6 hours to complete the degree. This option is available only for a single semester. A special form for master's students who hold GRA appointments is available on the Provost website. See Article 5, Section 2.b of the GTA Memorandum of Agreement for additional information about reduced enrollment levels.

The enrollment of students holding foreign student (F1) visas must conform to the minimum requirements established by the regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. According to Graduate School policy, students are not normally permitted to enroll for more than 16 credit hours per semester.

8. PAYMENT OF TUITION AND FEES FOR REQUIRED ORIENTATION/TRAINING COURSE. Some departments require that graduate students enroll in a for-credit orientation or training course in order to hold a GTA appointment. The University covers the full tuition and campus fee associated with one orientation/training course.

9. HEALTH INSURANCE. For eligible GTAs and GRAs who enroll in the student health insurance plan offered by the Kansas State Employees Health Care Commission, the University makes a monthly contribution that covers part of the cost. GTAs and GRAs are eligible for coverage if they have appointments of 50% for at least eight consecutive weeks in the semester or four consecutive weeks during the summer. For 2004-2005, the Commission will allow the University to pay 75% of the student-only premium and prescription drug discount card ($194 per semester, $77 for the summer) for eligible GTAs and GRAs. The commission also is making available an optional major medical rider at an annual cost of $341; however, the University is not authorized to contribute to the cost of the rider. GTAs and GRAs who enter the health insurance program in January and opt for the major medical rider must pay the full $341, as the cost is not prorated by semester. International students who opt for the state plan instead of the International Student Plan must elect the major medical rider. The University cannot make a contribution if a student does not have an active appointment. GTAs and GRAs who do not have summer appointments will need to pay the full premium themselves in order to maintain their coverage through the summer.

If you have questions about campus fees, please contact the University Registrar's Office (864-4472). Questions about fee deferment should be addressed to the Bursar's Office (864-3322); questions about health insurance should be directed to Mary Karten, Staff Benefits ((864-7346). General policy questions should be directed to Ola Faucher (864-7411) or Linda Fund (864-7426) of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity.

January 14, 2005