Hiring (TA, RA, GSA)

Overview

The School of Life Sciences funds many graduate students by hiring them into positions including teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA). Most PhD students receive a funding guarantee, while most MS students do not receive this guarantee. Please refer to your initial admission offer letter if you are unsure about what SOLS has offered you. Additionally, students may be funded differently depending on their program enrolled and their progress with their program. For this reason, SOLS has graduate services assistantships (GSA); though GSAs do the same work as a TA or RA, the specific funds they receive differ. Please refer to the information below to better understand the types of positions.

Each semester, our office sends an email with a Google form for students to fill out to request their specific position. Please be on the lookout and plan to fill this out so our office can ensure you are appropriately hired. You will subsequently receive a funding offer letter with the specific details about your position for that particular semester.

SOLS Graduate Position Types 

Teaching Assistant (TA)

Position includes: 

TA positions are for PhD students who need tuition remission while they take full course loads. PhD students who have advanced to candidacy but still need this tuition coverage may prefer this option. TAs must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and a minimum of 1 credit hour in summer semesters. If students do not enroll in these minimums, they will not receive their tuition coverage and instead will be financially responsible for their own charges. 

Research Assistant (RA)

Position includes: 

RA positions are for graduate students paid to do research as arranged by their faculty advisor. Research assistants receive the same salary, health, and tuition benefits as TAs. However, there may be some exceptions to accommodate opportunities created by grant projects. RAs must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and a minimum of 1 credit hour in summer semesters. If students do not enroll in these minimums, they will not receive their tuition coverage and instead will be financially responsible for their own charges. 

Graduate Services Assistant 1 (GSA1)

Position includes: 

GSA1 positions are available for PhD students who have advanced to candidacy. Eligible students who have been guaranteed SOLS funding and are making adequate progress towards their degree may choose a TA position instead.

GSA1 positions do not receive any tuition remission or health insurance remission. The higher salary is designed to pay for 1 credit hour of tuition and student health insurance. GSAs must enroll in a minimum of 1 credit hour in fall and spring semesters and do not need to enroll in any credit hours during summer semesters. Students are responsible for paying the costs of whatever they enroll in, and they are responsible for paying for health insurance if they enroll in it.

Students who have advanced to candidacy but still need to enroll in more than 1 credit hour in a semester may prefer a TA or RA position.

Graduate Service Assistant 2 (GSA2)

Position includes:

GSA2 positions are available for MS students, non-SOLS students, and PhD students that have not reached candidacy. 

GSA2 positions do not receive any tuition remission or health insurance remission. The higher salary is designed to pay for 1 credit hour of tuition and student health insurance. GSAs must enroll in a minimum of 1 credit hour in fall and spring semesters and do not need to enroll in any credit hours during summer semesters. Students are responsible for paying the costs of whatever they enroll in, and they are responsible for paying for health insurance if they enroll in it.


Workload

As an RA, TA, or GSA, students hold a 50% FTE (20 hours per week) position. ASU Policy states that you may not work more that 25 hours per week (62.5% FTE) in all ASU positions combined. You will be terminated from your appointment(s) if you exceed this limit and will not be eligible for reappointment for 26 weeks. 

Additionally, graduate students are expected to work no more than 20 hours per week. Please note the 20 hr/week limit applies to the TA/RA/GSA appointment and does NOT include the additional time commitment associated with enrollment in courses, including "Research" credits, required by most graduate programs.

We encourage you to discuss the specifics of your workload with your instructor/faculty advisor before classes begin. We do not expect TAs to work during evenings, weekends, or ASU holidays unless they prefer to do so. Many courses will require grading within 48-72 hours, but this timeframe does not typically include weekends or holidays.

Please contact the SOLS Graduate Office if there are any unresolved conflicts (sols.grad@asu.edu).


Important Summer Enrollment and Tax Information

As an RA/TA, during the summer semester you must be enrolled in a minimum of 1 credit hour in either A session or B session. RA/TA positions will receive the tuition benefit for up to 7 credit hours per session (14 total credits). GSAs do not need to be enrolled during the summer semester. 

To receive a FICA tax exemption during the summer session, you must be enrolled in at least 2 credits in session C, or 1 credit hour in session A and B. Otherwise, you will be FICA taxed on your paychecks. 

Enrollment and Tax Information

RAs and TAs must enroll in a minimum 6 credits each fall and spring term, and GSAs must enroll in a minimum 1 credit each fall and spring term. During the summer, RAs and TAs must enroll in a minimum 1 credit, while GSAs do not need to enroll in any summer credit hours. Before requesting or taking a position, please consider how enrollment may impact your anticipated funds.

RAs, TAs, and GSAs are considered full-time when enrolled in 6 credits in the fall and spring terms and at least 2 credits in the summer terms. Dropping below this enrolled amount may impact your FICA tax exemption, which we encourage you read about in the Graduate College TA and RA Policy and Procedure Handbook. 

FICA tax exemption during the summer session requires at least 2 credits enrolled for session Summer C or 1 credit in both Summer A & B.

Post-Candidacy Pay Raise

After advancing to candidacy, you will receive an increase to your salary. For the pay increase to be effective the following semester, you must adhere to the deadlines listed below. Advancing to candidacy happens when you complete your oral and written comprehensive exams and your dissertation prospectus. Requirements may differ slightly by program. For more details about the process, refer to the comprehensive exams and dissertation prospectus page of this site.

It often takes time for a pass/fail form to be e-signed by each member of your committee and the Program Director of your program. The form must be complete by the dates below in order to receive your pay increase, so we recommend scheduling your exams at least a couple weeks before these dates.