Graduate Cost & Funding
The University of Arkansas is proud to offer affordable tuition and ways to offset the costs of a university education with numerous funding opportunities including scholarships, fellowships and flexible employment.
Cost of Attendance
The amounts listed below are estimates based on current cost of attendance. For more accurate amounts based on your specific circumstance, please visit the Office of Financial Aid.
| Status | Hours | Tuition | Fees | Tuition/Fee Subtotal | Books | Room | Board | Personal | Transportation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | 24 | $10,710 | $1,760 | $12,470 | $1,154 | $9,084 | $5,160 | $3,288 | $2,640 | $33,796 |
| Graduate (Business) | 24 | $14,760 | $1,852 | $16,612 | $1,154 | $9,084 | $5,160 | $3,288 | $2,640 | $37,938 |
| Status | Hours | Tuition | Fees | Tuition/Fee Subtotal | Books | Room | Board | Personal | Transportation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate | 24 | $29,132 | $1,760 | $30,892 | $1,154 | $9,084 | $5,160 | $3,288 | $2,640 | $52,218 |
| Graduate (Business) | 24 | $41,342 | $1,852 | $43,194 | $1,154 | $9,084 | $5,160 | $3,288 | $2,640 | $64,520 |
Fellowships & Scholarships
The Graduate School offers competitive fellowships and scholarships to provide financial support to outstanding graduate students.
U of A Doctoral Fellowships
There are two levels of competitive merit-based fellowships for outstanding incoming doctoral students available, the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship (DDF) and the Doctoral Academy Fellowship (DAF). Students must be nominated by their academic unit or department, which also sponsors the accompanying graduate assistantship. For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships at 479-575-4327 or gradfunding@uark.edu.
Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships
Each year, approximately 25 Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships are awarded:- Fellows receive $22,000 per year, paid in two installments of $11,000 each in August and January, from the Graduate School for up to 4 years.
- Fellows receive a 50% graduate assistantship provided concurrently by the department for 4 years. GA benefits include a base salary, a tuition waiver, and a discount on student health insurance.
- Fellows are encouraged to apply for an NSF grant in their first year, with their research advisor’s assistance, if applicable.
Doctoral Academy Fellowships
Each year, approximately 40-45 Doctoral Academy Fellowships are awarded:
- Fellows receive $12,000 per year, paid in two installments of $6,000 each in August and January, from the Graduate School for up to 4 years.
- Fellows also receive a 50% graduate assistantship provided concurrently by the department for 4 years. GA benefits include a base salary, a tuition waiver, and a discount on student health insurance.
Terms and Conditions
- The nominee’s doctoral program must be delivered in-person primarily, not online. Students beginning U of A online doctoral programs are ineligible.
- Nominees cannot already be enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Arkansas.
- Preference will be given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- Preference will be given to students who earned at least one degree (bachelors or masters) elsewhere.
- Recipients cannot be university employees.
- Payment is for degree-related course work. Fellowship recipients must maintain good academic standing and make satisfactory progress towards graduate degree completion.
- Fellowship recipients must adhere to the terms and conditions of the graduate assistant position in order to retain the doctoral fellowship.
- If a doctoral fellow requires more than four years for graduate degree completion, the host department may provide funding for further support.
- Should a doctoral fellow graduate, change degree programs, or leave the university,
the fellowship will terminate.
Application Deadlines
Graduate students interested in being nominated for a doctoral fellowship should contact their department to learn the selection criteria. Minimum GRE/GMAT scores and GPA requirements vary by college and degree program.
January 22, 2025
DDF nomination deadline for graduate students beginning doctoral study in August 2025.
January 29, 2025
DAF nomination deadline for first-round consideration for graduate students beginning doctoral study in August 2025.
October 4, 2024
DDF and DAF nomination deadlines for graduate students beginning doctoral study in January 2025.
Nomination Packet Contents
Nominations are reviewed by the fellowship committee after the nomination deadlines. Department chairs/graduate coordinators will be notified of the award decision by email, usually within 3-4 weeks after the deadline.
A complete nomination packet from the department will include the following documents in this order, submitted electronically to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support, gradfunding@uark.edu.
- A COVER SHEET
From the nominating department - A LETTER OF SUPPORT
From the nominating department. Fellowships are very competitive. To maximize the chances that your student is successful:- Document that the student has met the conditions of the fellowship and has a stellar academic record.
- Describe those characteristics that distinguish this student from others with excellent academic records (e.g., potential for leadership; demonstrated passion for research; self-motivation; potential for innovation; importance of area of research).
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S RESUME/CV
- COPIES OF LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
- COPIES OF ALL OF THE STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPTS
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
MFA/Master of Design Student Fellowships
The Graduate School offers a competitive merit-based fellowship to provide financial support to outstanding incoming students who will be enrolled in one of the following degree programs:
- School of Art – Master of Fine Arts or Master of Design
- Creative Writing – Master of Fine Arts
- Theatre -- Master of Fine Arts
Qualified students must be nominated by the department/program. For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support at 479-575-4327 or gradfunding@uark.edu.
The majority of fellowships are awarded to students who start in the fall semester. The number of fellowships awarded is determined by the amount of funding that is available.
The fellowship is $4,000 per year for a maximum of four years. The fellowship recipient receives $2,000 in fall and $2,000 in spring. The fellowship is considered financial aid and will be applied to the student’s account balance. If the fellowship recipient has a graduate assistant position and receives a graduate assistant tuition waiver, any fellowship amount that was not used to cover tuition and miscellaneous fees will be refunded to the student.
Terms and Conditions
- The nominee's Master of Fine Arts or Master of Design program must be delivered primarily in-person, not online.
- Nominees cannot already be enrolled in an MFA/MoD program at the University of Arkansas.
- Preference is given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- Preference is given to students who earned at least one degree (bachelors or masters) elsewhere.
- Recipients cannot be university employees.
- Fellowship recipients must maintain academic good standing and make satisfactory progress towards graduate degree completion.
- Fellowship recipients must adhere to the terms and conditions of the graduate assistant position, if applicable, to retain the fellowship.
- If an MFA/MoD fellow requires more than four years for graduate degree completion, the host department may provide funding for further support.
- Should an MFA/MoD fellow graduate, change degree programs, or leave the university,
the fellowship will terminate.
Application and Deadlines
Graduate students who are interested in being nominated for a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Design graduate fellowship should contact the department that houses their degree program to determine what criteria they use to select nominees.
February 17, 2025: for students beginning the degree in August 2025.
Nomination Packet Contents
A complete nomination packet from the department will include the following documents in this order, submitted electronically to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support (gradfunding@uark.edu):
- A COVER SHEET
From the nominating department - A LETTER OF SUPPORT
From the nominating department Fellowships are very competitive. To maximize the chances that your student is successful:- Document that the student has met the conditions of the fellowship and has a stellar record of achievement in the field, or potential for same.
- Describe those characteristics that distinguish this student from others with excellent academic records (e.g., potential for leadership; demonstrated passion for the field of study; self-motivation; potential for innovation).
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S RESUME/CV
- COPIES OF LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
- COPIES OF THE STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPTS
- A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
(if required by the MFA/MoD program).
Applications are reviewed by the fellowship committee after the application deadline. Department chairs/graduate coordinators will be notified of the award decision by email, usually within 3-4 weeks after the deadline.
Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship
The Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship is designed to increase access to the graduate school and within graduate degree programs by providing financial assistance to graduate students from underrepresented groups, including first generation and economically disadvantaged students. For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support at 479-575-5869 or gradfunding@uark.edu.
The Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship, is named in honor of the first African American to receive a graduate degree from the University. Lever, a native of Pine Bluff, received a bachelor’s degree from the Tuskegee Institute in 1938. He entered graduate school at the University of Arkansas in 1950 and obtained a Master of Science degree in Agronomy in 1951. In 1955, Mr. Lever obtained a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and received a Diploma of Advanced Studies from the University in 1964. Mr. Lever served on the staff and faculty at Arkansas A.M. & N. (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), was principal at several Arkansas public schools, and was a dean at Shorter College. He died in 1980.
Benefits
- A limited number of fellowships are available each year.
- The Lever Tuition Fellowship pays for full graduate tuition of degree-related course work for a maximum of 2 years for master’s students and 4 years for doctoral students.
- This fellowship is not available to otherwise qualified graduate students who receive tuition payment from another source, such as a graduate assistant position or other tuition award.
- A maximum of 6 thesis hours or 18 dissertation hours may be paid by this fellowship.
Terms & Conditions
- Applicants must be US citizens.
- The number of fellowships awarded in a semester depends on the funding available at the time of review and the composition of the graduate programs related to underrepresented groups at the University of Arkansas.
- Applicants must be admitted to the University of Arkansas Graduate School without condition and be regularly admitted to a graduate degree program by the time the fellowship starts.
- The Lever Tuition Fellowship is awarded based on the graduate degree program of the student. Graduation from that degree program, changing degree programs or leaving the University will cause the graduate fellowship to be terminated. Students enrolled in degree programs offered through the Global Campus are ineligible for the fellowship.
- Payment is for approved degree-related course work. Miscellaneous fees and insurance premiums are the responsibility of the student.
- Fellows must maintain good academic standing throughout the graduate degree program and make satisfactory progress towards graduate degree completion.
- Lever Tuition Fellows must notify the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support at the beginning of the semester once enrollment is complete so the graduate fellowship can be applied towards the tuition charges.
- Lever Tuition Fellows must notify the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support if receiving a tuition award from another source.
Application and Deadlines
Qualified students may apply for this fellowship at any point during their graduate studies. Applications must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Student Support, GEAR 213 or gradfunding@uark.edu by:
October 15, 2024: funding for the spring semester*
February 17, 2025: funding for the summer semester*
March 14, 2025: funding for the fall semester
*Most fellowships are awarded beginning the fall semester of the academic year. If additional funding is available, applications will be considered for the spring and summer semesters.
Nomination Packet Contents
A complete application packet will include:
- A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM
Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellowship Nomination/Application Form. - A ONE-PAGE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
discussing your goals for your graduate studies and how the Lever Tuition Fellowship will help you achieve those goals. - TRANSCRIPTS & TEST SCORES
Applicants must have submitted all transcripts to Graduate Admissions. Standardized test scores are not required for Lever Tuition Fellowship consideration, but may be required for admission into the graduate degree program.
Applications are reviewed by the fellowship committee after the application deadline. All applicants will be notified of the award decision by email, usually within 3-4 weeks after the deadline.
Harry and Jo Leggett Chancellor’s Fellowship
The Harry and Jo Leggett Chancellor’s Fellowship was established by the Leggetts to support a graduate student at the University of Arkansas who is involved in research of significant interest to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support at 479-575-5869 or gradfunding@uark.edu.
Arkansas natives Harry and Jo Leggett of Little Rock, avid outdoor enthusiasts, created this fellowship for the benefit of the research initiated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at the University of Arkansas. Leggett is a 1957 B.S.B.A. graduate of the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Benefits
- One fellowship is available each year based on available funding.
- Leggett fellows receive a $12,000 stipend per year, paid in lump sums, for a maximum of 4 years for doctoral students or 2 years for master’s students. Fellows receive $6,000 in August and $6,000 in January
- If a Leggett fellow does not have a graduate assistantship, the Leggett fellowship also pays for graduate tuition for up to 15 hours each fall and spring semester, and up to 9 hours each summer, of degree-related course work for a maximum of 4 years for doctoral students or 2 years for Master’s students.
- The fellowship can be combined with additional sources of funding in accordance with
university policy.
Terms & Conditions
- Preference will be given to doctoral students.
- Eligible candidates must be admitted to the University of Arkansas and be regularly admitted to a graduate degree program by the time the fellowship starts. Candidates must also be approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
- Leggett fellows must be pursuing graduate studies in the field of fish, wildlife, conservation, and other related areas of interest to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
- Payment is for approved degree-related course work. Leggett fellows must maintain at least half-time enrollment for each semester the graduate fellowship is to be applied towards tuition payment. Half-time enrollment for graduate students is 6 hours/semester (fall and spring). Enrollment during the summer semester is optional, but if the graduate student does enroll, 3 hours is considered half-time.
- Miscellaneous fees and insurance premiums are the responsibility of the student.
- Fellows must maintain good academic standing throughout the graduate degree program and make satisfactory progress towards graduate degree completion.
- Leggett fellows must notify the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support at the beginning of the semester once enrollment is complete so the tuition charges can be paid.
- Should a Leggett fellow graduate, change degree programs, or leave the university,
the fellowship will terminate.
Application and Deadlines
Students may submit an online application to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support, GEAR 213 by:
March 14: funding for the fall semester
October 15: funding for the spring semester
Nomination Packet Contents
A complete application will consist of:
- TWO-PAGE RESUME/CV
of the candidate - TWO-PAGE RESUME/CV
of the proposed advisor for the candidate - A LETTER OF SUPPORT
from the proposed advisor for the candidate - TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
for the candidate - A TWO-PAGE DESCRIPTION
of the proposed research program for the candidate, including an explanation of the importance of the expected results of the proposed research to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Applications are reviewed by a fellowship selection committee that includes a Game and Fish Board representative. All candidates will be notified of the award decision by email, usually within 3-4 weeks after the application deadline.
Edward T. and Karen A. Bramlitt Endowed Graduate Scholarship
The Bramlitt Endowed Graduate Scholarship was established to recruit and attract highly qualified individuals to pursue graduate education in chemistry or biochemistry at the University of Arkansas. This award is made possible through the generous support of Edward T. Bramlitt (PhD 1963) and Karen A. Bramlitt.
Benefits
- The Bramlitt Scholarship funds master’s students for a maximum of two years and doctoral students for a maximum of four years.
- The scholarship is paid in equal increments at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
- A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on available funding.
- This scholarship can be combined with additional sources of funding in accordance
with university policy.
Eligibility, Terms and Conditions
- Recipients must be pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemistry or Biochemistry at the time the scholarship begins.
- Preference is given to graduate students who are members of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
- Recipients must be admitted to the University of Arkansas by the time the scholarship begins.
- Funds may be used for costs related to the student’s graduate study including but not limited to equipment, software, travel, tuition, and fees not paid by other sources.
- Recipients must make satisfactory degree progress to continue receiving the award.
Application and Deadlines
Please submit the online application to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support by the deadline of the term in which the scholarship should begin.
May 15 for fall term
October 15 for spring term
Nomination Packet Contents
A complete application consists of:
- STUDENT'S RESUME/CV
- TWO-PAGE DESCRIPTION
of the proposed research program - A LETTER OF SUPPORT
from your proposed advisor. - COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS
- PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP
in the American Chemical Society if the student is a member
Applications will be reviewed by the Dean of GSIE or his or her designee(s) in consultation with the Department Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The student will be notified by email of the decision approximately 3-4 weeks after the submission deadline.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support, GEAR 213, at gradfunding@uark.edu, or at 479-575-5869.
Johns-Lane Families Endowed Graduate Academic Enrichment Fund
The Johns-Lane Families Endowed Graduate Academic Enrichment Fund supports graduate students in industrial engineering or operations management degree programs at the University of Arkansas. This award is made possible by the generous contributions of Lee Johns Lane (BS Chemistry 1962, MSOR 1974, Ph.D. Engineering 1976).
Benefits
- A limited number of awards are provided based on available funding.
- Award amounts are determined based on available funding and eligible applications.
- The award can be combined with additional sources of funding in accordance with university
policy and the student’s cost of attendance.
Eligibility, Terms and Conditions
- The recipient must be enrolled full-time in the semester(s) in which the award is provided.
- The recipient must be a graduate student of the industrial engineering or operations management degree programs.
- The recipient must demonstrate commitment to advancing the success of women in the field of engineering.
- The award disburses as financial aid to the student account.
- Funds may be used for tuition, fees, student travel to present research, wages, stipend,
or for other academic support or research initiatives determined by the Dean of the
Graduate School and International Education.
Application and Deadlines
Applications are reviewed by the Dean of GSIE or his or her designee(s) in consultation with the Department Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and the Program Director of Operations Management. Students are notified by email of the decisions approximately 3-4 weeks after the submission deadlines.
Students may apply online by the following date:
March 15 for fall semester funding
Nomination Packet Contents
A complete application includes the following documents.
- A ONE-PAGE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
in which students address their commitment to advancing the success of women in the field of engineering - A COPY OF THE STUDENT'S RESUME/CV
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support, GEAR 213 at gradfund@uark.edu or 479-575-5869.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships (GAs) are awarded by various departments or units on campus. On 50% assistantships, students work 20 hours per week (in teaching, research, or other areas) or teach up to two 3 credit hour courses. Students on 25% assistantships will work 10 hours per week.
Base Pay Rates and Benefits
Current minimum graduate assistantship base pay rates will be set by the Graduate School and International Education at the beginning of each fiscal year.
50% Graduate Assistantships Minimums
| Degree | Monthly (approximate) | 9-month | 12-month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | $1,326 | $11,936 | $15,915 |
| MFA | $1,591 | $14,322 | $19,096 |
| Doctoral | $1,591 | $14,322 | $19,096 |
| Effective July 1, 2023 | |||
Graduate assistants appointed to at least a 25% position will be classified as in-state students for tuition purposes. Graduate assistants appointed to a least a 50% position will be classified as in-state students for tuition purposes AND will have in-state tuition waived. Miscellaneous fees (course fees, activity fees, college fees, etc.), books, housing and other expenses are the responsibility of the graduate student.
Tuition waivers are submitted each semester by the department on behalf of the 50% appointed graduate assistant and cover in-state graduate tuition for up to 15 hours in fall and spring semesters. If the student is appointed as a GA in the summer, the tuition waiver covers up to 6 hours for one five-week session, 9 hours for one ten-week session or two five–week sessions.
Financial aid is typically disbursed the week before classes begin. All tuition waivers must be submitted by the department by the fifth day of classes in the spring/fall semesters and by the second day of classes in the summer.
Graduate Assistants on a 50% appointment or greater will also have 67% of their student health insurance paid for by the University for those students eligible for health insurance. Students are responsible for the remainder of the premium. Miscellaneous fees and insurance premiums may be payroll-deducted.
Once hired into a Graduate Assistantship position, students will see a “to do” item in UA Connect, requiring them to accept or decline the insurance. If a GA accepts the GA health insurance charge, it will post to their student account and the insurance activation process begins. For specific instructions on electing health insurance in UA Connect, please see the Treasurer’s Website. Click on “Student Health Insurance” in the gray box.
International students who are on a GA position must also accept the insurance in UA Connect as well. This will apply the GA subsidy to the international student insurance fee.
Please be aware that, any tuition waivers over $5,250/year will be taxable for graduate assistants whose duties do not involve teaching or research. The definitions of teaching and research are:
Teaching: For University tax purposes, teaching activities may include, but are not limited to the following: providing or coordinating classroom and/or creative instruction, including lab or discussion sessions; tutoring students; providing academic coaching or counseling; grading tests and assignments; developing instructional materials; accompanying /coaching musical or vocal performances; proctoring exams.
Research: For University tax purposes, research activities may include but are not limited to the following examples of applying and mastering research concepts, practices, or methods of scholarship: preparing literature reviews or monographs, conducting experiments; preparing, coding, analyzing or administering surveys or other research instruments; organizing or analyzing data; presenting findings; collaborating with others in preparing publications; conducting institutional research for an academic or administrative unit.
Qualifications
To qualify for an assistantship, graduate students must be regularly admitted into the graduate school and accepted into a graduate degree or certificate program.
Successful applicants must have good academic records, adequate preparation for graduate study in their major field, and must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.85 on all work taken for graduate credit, although some departments may require their graduate assistants to maintain a higher grade point average.
Students on a 50% graduate assistantship must enroll in a minimum of 6 graduate hours each Fall/Spring. Students on a 25% graduate assistantships must enroll in a minimum of 9 graduate hours each Fall/Spring.
Graduate School approval is required for the tuition waiver to pay undergraduate hours, audited hours, hours outside of the program, and hours above the maximum. Departments have the discretion to limit a waiver to the minimum number of hours required by the assistantship.
Graduate Assistantships whose native language is not English and will be interacting with students in a teaching or tutorial role are required to pass English language requirements for both speaking and writing. Current requirements can be found on the Admissions recruiting site.
GA Start and End Dates
In order to comply with federal tax law and immigration regulations, the Graduate School will be monitoring the start and termination dates for Graduate Assistants.
Please see the below times when you should start and end the employment of a Graduate Assistant. Allow enough processing time in Workday to allow your Graduate Assistants to begin work by these benchmarks.
Start Date
Spring
A brand new graduate student (never enrolled before) who will hold a GA for the Spring semester should start their appointment the Monday (or the Tuesday if the Monday is a University holiday) before the regular spring session begins.
- If a student is expected to work during the January intersession, they may begin their GA position as early as the first day of the January intersession.
- A returning student (someone who has been a student in the previous semester, even if not on a GA or on a GA in another unit) may start their GA on the first day campus opens in January.
Summer
A brand new graduate student (never enrolled before) who will hold a GA for the Summer semester OR a returning student (someone who has been a student in the previous semester, even if not on a GA or on a GA in another unit) may start their GA as early as the first day of May intersession and must work for a minimum of 30 calendar days.
Fall
A brand new graduate student (never enrolled before) who will hold a GA for the Fall semester may start their appointment on the Monday before the regular fall session begins.
- If a student is expected to work during the August intersession, they may begin their
GA position as early as the first day of the August intersession.
A returning student (someone who has been a student in the previous semester, even if not on a GA or on a GA in another unit) may start their GA as early as the first day of August intersession. - Late Arriving/Late Starting Graduate Assistants
A department may be appointed to begin a Graduate Assistantship in the Fall or Spring semester as late as the first day of the second 8-week session. If a student starts by this date, they will be eligible for a full tuition waiver for the semester.
End Date
In general, the “rule of thumb” is that GA=student. When a student graduates, they are no longer a student, therefore they cannot be a GA. If employment of the now alumni continues past the degree conferral date (listed below), they need to be moved to another paid position.
For a Graduating Graduate Assistant
- If a GA is graduating in Fall, their employment must end on the last day worked but no later than before the University closes for Winter Break.
- If a GA is graduating in Spring, their employment must end on the last day worked
but no later than before the start of May Intersession.
If a GA who graduated in Spring 2022 will be teaching in Summer 2022, they cannot be paid as a GA for the summer course. They must be moved to an appointed lecturer position or be paid through unit pay as appropriate in your college. - If a GA is graduating in Summer, their employment must end on the last day worked
but no later than before the start of August Intersession. This date is for 12-month
appointed GAs and 9-month GAs receiving period activity pay for Summer II. If you
have a graduating 9-month GA who received period activity pay in Summer I and is not
working past Summer I, their employment may be ended earlier.
As a reminder, in order to qualify for a summer tuition waiver, a GA must work for at least 30 calendar days in the summer.
If a Graduate Assistant is not graduating and is continuing as a student between semesters, no action needs to be taken. Students who are not graduating can continue to work as a GA, following the normal requirements of enrollment (minimum of 3 hours in summer/6 hours in Fall and Spring).
If the GA is an international student, please encourage them to check with ISS to ensure visa compliance.
Compensation for Additional Employment
All international graduate students are prohibited from assuming additional duties/work additional hours beyond those specified in their original offer letters. Any requests for additional work must be pre-approved by the International Student and Scholars Office BEFORE the additional work commences to ensure compliance with US Department of Homeland Security regulations. Failure to do so may result in severe immigration consequences to the student up to and including deportation of the student.
Effective May 1, 2022, graduate students may be paid hourly on top of a 50% graduate assistantship without the pre-approval of the Graduate School Dean. The Graduate School will approve through Workday and the position must comply with appropriate University policies for hourly positions. The Graduate School imposes no limit on hours worked above the graduate assistant position.
Effective May 1, 2022, graduate students on a 25% graduate assistantship may be paid hourly without the pre-approval of the Graduate School Dean by a unit other than the one they are appointed in. The Graduate School will approve through Workday and the position must comply with appropriate University policies for hourly positions. However, pre-approval of the Graduate School Dean is required for a 25% graduate assistant to be paid hourly by the unit who pays their assistantship.
Effective May 1, 2022, domestic graduate students may hold a 75% graduate assistantship in Fall, Spring, or Summer with approval of their department/college and payment of an equitable salary that compensates the student for the additional work commiserate with the additional 10 hours per week expected for a 75% appointment. Pre-approval of the Graduate School Dean is not required. The Graduate School will approve through Workday.
- Submission of the movement to 75% appointment must be completed in Workday prior to the student commencing the additional work.
Effective May 1, 2022, domestic graduate students during the Fall or Spring semester may assume additional teaching duties as a graduate assistant and be paid by Period Activity Pay against their graduate assistant position through Workday. In order to qualify for payment by this method, the anticipated continuous duration of the graduate assistant’s additional teaching duties must be one semester or less. If the additional teaching duty is more than one semester in length or if the same duty continues beyond a single semester, movement to a 75% appointment is required.
- Submission of the Period Activity Pay or the movement to 75% appointment must be completed in Workday prior to the student commencing the additional work.
Effective May 1, 2022, domestic graduate students during the Fall or Spring semester may assume additional research/administrative duties as a graduate assistant and be paid by Period Activity Pay against their graduate assistantship position through Workday. In order to qualify for payment by this method, the anticipated continuous duration of the graduate assistant’s additional duties must be less than a semester AND be in the same unit as the graduate assistant’s appointment. If the additional duties are more than one semester in length or if the same duty continues beyond a single semester, movement to a 75% appointment is required. If the additional duties are outside of the unit of appointment, an additional position is required to be added.
- Submission of the Period Activity Pay or the movement to 75% appointment must be completed in Workday prior to the student commencing the additional work.
Effective May 1, 2022, domestic graduate assistants on a 9-month appointment may assume additional duties during the summer semester as a graduate assistant as long as they are enrolled in three graduate hours and work at least 30 calendar days. These graduate assistants must be paid as Period Activity Pay (GA summer teaching/research/service).
- If the 9-month domestic graduate assistant’s only duty is teaching May intersession, than they are required to be enrolled in three graduate hours in any session of the summer but are exempt from the 30 calendar day rule.
- Submission of the Period Activity Pay must be completed in Workday prior to the student commencing the additional work.
Effective May 1, 2022, graduate assistants on a 12-month appointment may assume additional duties during the summer semester as a graduate assistant utilizing the policies for Fall and Spring above.
Limits on Number of Appointments to a Graduate Assistantship
- Students pursuing a master’s degree may receive financial support as a graduate assistant for no more than six semesters, excluding summer appointments. (Note: Some departments or programs may have higher requirements.)
- Students pursuing post-master’s degrees may receive financial support as a graduate assistant for no more than ten semesters beyond the master’s degree, excluding summer appointments.
- Students pursuing a doctoral degree beginning with the baccalaureate degree may receive financial support as a graduate assistant for no more than twelve semesters beyond the baccalaureate degree.
Petitions for exceptions to these rules may be made by the department/program to the Graduate School.
Resignation or Termination
A graduate assistant who resigns or is terminated from an assistantship appointment, but who remains enrolled, will be required to pay a pro-rated portion of the university tuition and fees as required by Board of Trustees Policy 520.9. Any termination of a graduate assistant must comply with Board of Trustees Policy 500.1. Any questions related to resignation or termination may be directed to Associate Dean of the Graduate School.
Council of Graduate Schools April 15 Resolution
The University of Arkansas is a signatory of the Council of Graduate Schools' April 15 Resolution. Any offer of financial support made prior to April 15 to accept it and the program should honor that commitment through April 15.
Starting in Fall 2020, applicants are no longer required to obtain a formal release from the program whose offer they accepted, either before or after the April 15 deadline. Once they have informed the program that they are withdrawing their acceptance of the offer, then they can accept any other offers.
Connect with Our Offices
Graduate Fellowships and Program Support
340 N. Campus Drive
Gearhart Hall 273
479-575-5869
gradfunding@uark.edu
Graduate Student Support
340 N. Campus Drive
Gearhart Hall 272
479-387-3841
gradsupport@uark.edu