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Graduate Research Assistants conduct academically significant research under the direction of a faculty member who is generally a principal investigator on an external grant or contract. GRAs are awarded by departments and professors who are engaged in research projects.
Research assistantships offer exciting opportunities to participate in ongoing research developments at Virginia Tech. Since GRAs are often funded by sponsored research grants, they may be paid at a higher or lower stipend rates than GTAs. The GRA rate is determined by the OSP budget on the project where the GRA will be paid.
To request a GRA use the appropriate button below. GRA contracts are issued for a single academic year. To request an appointment in more than one academic year, a second request is required.
Use the button below ONLY when requesting a GRA appointment that EXTENDS into the 2025-26 Academic Year. This is typically only for visa purposes. Note: The upcoming Academic Year is 2025-26.
Assistantship Eligibility
Assistantship Eligibility
For a student to be eligible for an assistantship, they must meet the following criteria:
For a student to be eligible for an assistantship, they must meet the following criteria:
Must be enrolled in 12-18 credit hours in fall and spring; audited courses do not count toward fulfilling this requirement.
Maintain a 3.0 GPA; departmental requirements may be higher
Make satisfactory progress toward degree as defined by academic departments and the Graduate School
Meet requirements to be eligible for employment in the U.S. You can find information about employment eligibility verification and tax forms from the Payroll Office.
Students who plan to defend early and leave the university during the semester should not be on an assistantship but may be paid on wages.
A full assistantship requires a student to work for 20 hours per week on average. Students may or may not be required to report to work during school breaks and should discuss expectations with supervisors.
Departments may also offer partial assistantships (i.e. 50% assistantship which would average 10 hours per week).
Assistantship Package
Assistantship Package
To be competitive in the recruitment and retention of high quality graduate students, the university provides an assistantship compensation package that is comparable with those offered by our peer institutions. The key components of the compensation package are:
Competitive stipends
In-state tuition scholarship in proportion to the assistantship FTE and contract period, and out-of-state tuition waiver (if eligibility requirements are met)
Health insurance subsidy (if eligibility requirements are met)
Payment plan for comprehensive and CFE fees
Setting Expectations
Setting Expectations
A full assistantship requires 20 hours per week on average. A half assistantship is 10 hours per week on average.
All supervisors should set clear expectations related to performance, schedule, first and last day of work (these may be different from the start/end dates of the contract), and holiday work schedule.
Do not assume it is clear!
ISE Standard Rates
ISE Standard Rates
Step 1: $2,911 per month (A Master's or Ph.D. student who has NOT passed their preliminary examination)
Step 2: $3,055 per month (A Ph.D. student who has passed his/her preliminary examination)
Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of a one step level stipend increase is strongly encouraged for students in the Northern Virginia Campus on a GRA. The department provides GTA students at a one step level stipend increase.
Other: When additional compensation is warranted, an expanded range of graduate research assistant compensation from above is available within the limits of the table below. Requests above the standard ranges above will require a justification from the faculty and will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Justifications must be provided in the funding request that should include reasons for the increased pay such as: 1) Increase in complexity of position requirements 2) Increase in overall duties 3) Consideration for increased cost of living 4) Any other business related factors to be described in request
Tuition Amounts
Tuition Amounts
Hiring departments are obligated to cover in-state tuition and applicable supplemental program fees proportionate to the appointment. This means: 1 FTE = 100% tuition; .5FTE = 50% tuition.
Supplemental Program Fees include:
Engineering Fee
$1,000 for 1.0 FTE
$500 for 0.5 FTE or lower
Library Fee - $58 in 2025-26
Remaining fees must be paid by the students per Bursar deadlines.
FAQ's
FAQ's
Can a GRA hold a wage job in the summer too? The student may not exceed 40 hours per week. Yes the student can hold two positions, a GRA for a maximum of 20 hours per week (1.0 FTE) and a wage appointment for an additional 20 hours per week. As their advisor, it is up to you as to if they can complete the research component of the GRA position equaling up to 20 hours per week + an additional up to 20 hours per week.
Can a contract date precede the date of the I-20? It is ok for new international students to have a contract start date that precedes their program start date on their I-20 and/or their arrival date in the U.S.
Virginia Tech uses standard assistantship contract start/end dates to ensure that students get 9 full pay periods each semester. However, a student must arrive in the U.S. prior to their contract start date in order to be on campus for work duties, as required by the University, and in order to complete part 1 of their I-9 process on or before their contract start date. They must then complete part 2 of their I-9 within 3 days of their contract start date or risk termination of the contract.
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