Managing Graduate Assistantships

• Graduate Students must meet the following requirements to hold a GA appt.:
  • Admitted into the Graduate School in full graduate standing
  • Enrolled in the fall and spring semesters
  • Must be in good academic standing (i.e. 3.000 GPA or above)
    • DGP’s can request an Assistantship Reinstatement if a student has not maintained good academic standing. See “Academic Standing and Assistantship Reinstatement” section below for additional information.
  • International graduate students must complete a tax assessment with the Office of Compensation and Taxation (ICT) to be paid as a GA.

Early Termination of GA Appointment & GSSP Impact: A GA appointment may be terminated early before its designated end date due to loss of funding, for cause, for academic delinquency, or voluntary mutual agreement. In such cases, the Supervisor is expected to notify the student in writing that the appointment is ending early and to provide the reason(s) for the early termination. Early termination can have an impact on the GSSP support a GA may have received during the term.

GSSP Impact: GA Appointments must last until November 30 (Fall) and April 30 (Spring) in order to receive the full tuition benefit. If it is terminated prior to these dates, the tuition support will be prorated. Any remaining tuition balance will be billed to the student. The GA will retain the RATA insurance for the remainder of the term.

To be employed as a graduate assistant, students must be in a degree-seeking or certificate program. Eligibility for holding a GA appt. ends once all program requirements are met.

• GTA Exception: Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are permitted to remain employed through the end of the respective semester but must complete all work by the date of graduation.
• U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: Are no longer eligible to work as a graduate assistant in the semester/term following degree completion or upon unconditionally passing their final oral defense. They are permitted to work through December 31st if graduating in Fall semester and through May 15th if graduating in Spring semester.
• International Graduate Students: Must complete their degree by their I-20 end date and be terminated from all on-campus employment as of the graduation date for that semester. Students with approved Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) must be terminated from on-campus employment by their shortened I-20 end date.
• No Registration ETD Deadlines: If a graduate student unconditionally passes their defense and submits the first ETD draft of their thesis/dissertation by the published deadline, they should not register for classes in the following semester. In addition, graduate students meeting this requirement may not hold an assistantship in the following semester. They have technically met their degree requirements and are no longer eligible for assistantship support. Please see the Graduate School’s ETD Deadlines for additional information.

• To verify graduate assistantship, contact:
  • Email: gradschool-assistantships@ncsu.edu (for current or previous students only.)
  • Fax: 919-515-2873 (Fax request must come with a signed release)

• Academic Warning – A graduate student with a GPA below 3.0 and having accumulated 18 or fewer hours at the 400-level or above may be placed on academic warning. Graduate students on academic warning can still hold an assistantship or fellowship with an approved reinstatement.
• Academic Probation – A graduate with a GPA between 2.667 and 2.999 and having accumulated more than 18 hours at the 400-level or above may be placed on academic probation. if they have a GPA between 2.667 and 2.999 and have accumulated more than 18 hours at the 400 level or above. Graduate students on academic probation can still hold an assistantship or fellowship with an approved reinstatement.
• Termination – A graduate student with a GPA below 2.667 and having accumulated more than 18 hours at the 400-level or above may be terminated from their academic program. Graduate students may also be terminated if they accumulated 30 or more hours and have a GPA below 3.0. Graduate students who are terminated may not register for classes and are ineligible for funding support.

1. The graduate student’s DGP must submit a completed and signed Reinstatement Form to The Graduate School.
   • The graduate program must include a detailed and specific account of the circumstances that led to the graduate student’s poor academic performance and why the program believes that the graduate student can return to good standing. 
   • The graduate program must include an accompanying mentoring plan that establishes expectations for the graduate student along with clearly defined goals and milestones.
   • Personal statements from the graduate student submitted as “sole” documentation will not be considered
2. Reinstatement requests are reviewed by the Dean/Asst. Dean for approval. Graduate programs will be notified via email and signed Reinstatement form of the decision. Departments must upload the signed reinstatement form to the NextGen hire action for the student. If a graduate student is declared ineligible, then their assistantship and/or fellowship support will have to be terminated. Decisions are considered final and cannot be appealed.