Assistantship appointments provide financial support to graduate students who engage in teaching, research, and/or service. Departments and programs generally make assistantship offers during the admissions process; however, current students may be eligible for an assistantship in their program if funding is available.
Graduate assistantships may include a tuition waiver, health insurance, and a monthly salary. If you receive additional awards in conjunction with financial aid or an assistantship, such as a scholarship, fellowship, or other stipend, you may need to complete an Academic Year Revision Request to have your cost of attendance reviewed by a Financial Aid Advisor.
Types of Assistantships
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA): Engaged in teaching or assisting in undergraduate courses and labs.
- Graduate Research Assistant (RA): Engaged in research under the supervision of a faculty member, typically a principal investigator on a grant or contract.
- Graduate Staff Assistant (SA): Engaged in a service that enhances the student’s educational pursuits at WSU and provides academic and administrative program support to units. Staff assistantship appointments require a letter of support from their student’s faculty advisor and an administrator.
WSU/UAW Contract
The assistantship classifications above are covered by the WSU/UAW Contract. The union contract governs wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment for Academic Student Employees (ASEs).
ASEs are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this contract. Contact HRS Labor Relations with any questions you may have pertaining to the WSU/UAW union contract.
*Union membership is voluntary*
- Be admitted to the Graduate School in degree-seeking graduate status.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 10 credit hours to maintain full-time enrollment status in the Fall and Spring semesters. For Summer, enroll in a minimum of 3 credits.
- Reside in the State of Washington (RCW 28B.15.014)
- Maintain a “B” (3.0) cumulative average in all course work.
- Maintain satisfactory progress in fulfilling assistantship service requirements and duties.
- Maintain satisfactory progress toward degree as determined by the academic home department.
- Complete mandatory CITI Responsible Conduct of Research training. This training must be recertified every four years (Refresher courses are not valid).
- Complete the university-required training as described on the Human Resources Services Learning and Organizational Development website.
- Complete the Sexual Misconduct Statement Questionnaire in accordance with RCW 28B.112.
- Meet English proficiency requirements to teach, if an international student.
- Graduate Student Assistant Insurance
- ASEs appointed to a 0.5 FTE (20hrs./wk.) assistantship appointment are automatically enrolled in Graduate Student Assistant Insurance.
- Childcare Reimbursement Program
- Designed to assist eligible ASEs with childcare costs during assistantship appointment periods and aimed to ease the financial burden of childcare for students balancing academic and family responsibilities. Distribution of reimbursement funds is on a first-come, first-served basis. (Article 21)
- Tuition Waivers
- Graduate assistants who maintain at least a half-time 50% (20 hrs. /wk.) assistantship appointment are eligible for a waiver of the operating fee and building fee. Students appointed a quarter-time assistantship (10 hrs./wk.) are eligible for a half waiver of the operating fee.
- Early termination of assistantship appointment may result in the removal of the tuition waiver.
- Graduate assistants who maintain at least a half-time 50% (20 hrs. /wk.) assistantship appointment are eligible for a waiver of the operating fee and building fee. Students appointed a quarter-time assistantship (10 hrs./wk.) are eligible for a half waiver of the operating fee.
- Vacation Time and Sick Leave
- Salaried ASEs with 0.5 FTE nine (9) month appointments will receive accrued vacation time and sick leave starting from the effective date of their appointment. Leave without pay may also be granted for periods of time at the department’s discretion. (Article 30)
- Short-Term Pregnancy/Parental Leave (STPPL)
- Salaried ASEs are eligible for up to 6 (six) consecutive weeks of paid leave for the period directly before or after the birth or adoption of a child. (Article 30.2)
ASE minimum salaries are dependent on location and education level. Effective October 1, 2025, all salary and hourly rates for ASEs will be increased by 3%.
Open Recruitment ASE positions are those positions not used to fulfill a commitment of support made to a student, either at the time of admission or under an existing advising relationship with a(n) faculty member(s)/academic program.
ASEs must enter accurate time off requests in Workday each pay period. This guide is a reference.
Mandatory fees for students are to support student activities as well as to fund the cost of resources and technology provided by the university. Being appointed to an assistantship position does not waive these fees.
Domestic students who have residency outside of Washington State are required to apply for residency to avoid paying out-of-state tuition after their first year of their academic program. Failing to do so will result in receiving non-resident rate obligations. Does not apply to international students.
Tuition cost with assistantship (2025-2026, 2024-2025, 2023-2024, 2022-2023)
A written evaluation of the ASEs progress and accomplishments through the student’s appointment will be conducted by their supervisor at least every twelve (12) months. It is also highly encouraged that ASEs periodically engage in informal evaluation discussions during their appointment.
Graduate programs and students at WSU are required to follow the most current Graduate School Policies and Procedures. Policies outlined in Chapter 9 align with the collective bargaining agreement (WSU/UAW contract) which applies to Graduate ASEs.