Assistantships are a type of funding unique to graduate students. At Ball State, full-time graduate assistants receive a tuition waiver and a yearly stipend, paid over 10 months. Stipend levels are determined by each academic unit. In exchange, students work 20 hours per week in the department or unit that awarded their assistantship. Half-time assistants receive a waiver of half their tuition and work 10 hours per week. Unlike a loan, funding from an assistantship does not need to be repaid.

Full-time graduate and doctoral assistants also receive a remission of the contingent portion of the general fee, remission of the graduate course fee, and an out-of-state fee waiver.  Half-time assistants pay half fees including the nonresident fee.  Graduate assistants are required to pay dedicated fees.

Who is Eligible for an Assistantship?

All graduate students who meet regular admission standards and remain in good standing are eligible for an assistantship. Students must be enrolled 6 hours per semester to receive an assistantship. Departments may require that students take additional hours to receive or retain an assistantship.

How Do I Apply for an Assistantship?

Each year at Ball State, we offer over 800 assistantships to new and continuing graduate students. Most students apply through the academic department in which they are or will be enrolled. Others apply directly to the unit offering the assistantship. These openings are posted in  Cardinal ViewJobs.

More information about application procedures is available from the department or area.

Deadlines for assistantship applications vary by academic unit, but most area awarded during Spring Semester. It is a good idea to indicate your interest early in the application process.  

What Does a Graduate Assistant Do?

Most departmental graduate assistants work as a research or teaching assistant. Often, they are assigned to a specific faculty member. Graduate assistants in other areas of campus have various duties related to that unit's needs. All graduate assistantships on campus have written position descriptions that provide detailed information about expectations. You should ask for a copy of this position description if one is not given to you.

Are Summer Assistantships Available?

A few assistantships are available during the summer.  Summer stipends for each five-week summer term are 15% of the student's previous academic year stipend. 

Are there other Benefits to Holding an Assistantship?

Yes. See Amenities for GAs to learn more.