Funding Graduate Study

We offer more than 800 graduate assistant positions to students annually at Ball State.

We love to tell prospective students about our graduate assistantship program because it is a great way for them to fund their education.

Being a graduate assistant (GA) has many advantages, but most important, it offers the opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while pursuing your master’s or doctoral degree. We’ve heard from many GAs who say that their academic program opens the door for a job opportunity, but that their GA experience seals the deal.

Full-time GAs work 20 hours a week and receive a majority waiver of their tuition cost and a stipend determined by the department. Part-time assistants work 10 hours a week and receive a waiver for 55% of their tuition cost and a stipend. Both full-time and part-time graduate assistants also have to pay several fees. Detailed information can be found here.

Type of Assistantships

There are three types of assistantships offered to graduate students.

• Research—assist with department research projects
• Service—work in an administrative or office setting
• Teaching—instruct or assist in the instruction of undergraduate students

McNair Scholars

We are proud to offer additional benefits for previous McNair Scholars.  The Graduate School has funds to support about 10 graduate assistant positions for these students.  The award is for one year and can be renewed for one additional year.  McNair Scholars can also receive an application fee waiver by providing certification from their local McNair program director.  Please mention your McNair Scholar status in your application. 

Benefits of a Graduate Assistantship

Benefits of a graduate assistantship include:

• majority waiver of tuition (full-time GAs are still required to pay about $1,500 each semester for remaining tuition costs and several university fees). Please follow this link for more information.
• possibility of tuition/fee remission in the summer. In order to be eligible for tuition/fee remission for the summer term, you must either have worked for both semesters of the previous academic year (Fall and Spring terms), or you must have worked the previous spring term and have been renewed for the following fall term.
• stipend (amount is determined by your hiring department) deposited electronically and directly through the Office of Payroll and Employee Benefits on a biweekly basis (also during holidays and breaks)
• University Bookstore discounts
• Indiana resident tuition for your spouse or children while you are a graduate assistant

• can access services at the Ball State Federal Credit Union
• receive free tickets to regularly scheduled athletic events
• receive free or discounted tickets to performances at Emens Auditorium, University Theatre, and more
• qualify for a Muncie Public Library card

Eligibility

To be eligible for a graduate assistant position, students must meet the following requirements:

• good academic standing (no academic probationary status)
• for master’s students, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their undergraduate degree (or 3.0 in the latter half of previous degree). Some departments may have higher GPA admissions standards
• for doctoral students, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Some departments may have higher GPA admissions standards
• enrollment in at least 6 credit hours per semester or 3 hours in a five-week session
• official academic transcript(s)
• regular (not probationary or conditional) acceptance into a graduate degree program
• completion of bachelor’s degree for master’s graduate assistants
• completion of master’s degree for most doctoral graduate assistants. (Check individual programs for specific requirements)
• additional department-specific prerequisites

Find a Graduate Assistantship

The best place to start when looking for a graduate assistantship is to contact your program director. They can inform you about opportunities within your academic department or at other offices on campus.

Typically, most graduate assistantships start in the fall.

You can find openings within or outside of your academic department. They are posted on the Career Center website.

Find Openings through the Career Center

Many graduate students work on campus.

Graduate assistants may work up to only nine additional hours each week. Student employment in addition to an assistantship requires permission from the GA’s department and the associate dean of the Graduate School and a completed form.

Find a Job on Campus  download the permission form

Many employers offer education assistance to their employees.

These educational benefits range from providing tuition reimbursement or scholarships to financing select job-related course work. Speak with your supervisor or a human resources representative at your employer to pursue this option.

You may receive up to $5,250 in tax-free education benefits from your employer each year. The payments do not have to be for work-related courses.

Learn more about this tax savings.

Assistance for veterans is available; however, careful planning is necessary if you wish to have assistance apply toward your online or distance education enrollment.

Learn more about our veterans’ benefits.

For more information, contact Ball State's VA certifying official, Kristi Hoerst, at 765-285-5736 or vetbenefits@bsu.edu.

Students from selected Midwestern states who start at Ball State by Spring 2019 may qualify for the following tuition discounts:

• Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) – for eligible residents of Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin
• Ohio Reciprocity Agreement – for eligible residents of certain Ohio counties

Please note: These programs will not be available for new students who start after Spring 2019. All current students receiving these discounts will remain eligible for them during their enrollment at Ball State.

If you are an Indiana resident age 60 or older, you may qualify for a 50 percent reduction in the cost of your Ball State tuition.

Learn more about the discount.

Ball State employees and their dependents may be eligible for significant tuition reductions for academic programs and courses.

Your questions about employee fee remission may be directed to Payroll and Employee Benefits. You may contact the office at 765-285-8461 or by email. PEBtuition@bsu.edu.

Questions about employee dependent fee remission may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Are you still looking for ways to fund your graduate degree at Ball State?

Learn more about financial aid and scholarships.