Graduate Assistant Employment Policy
Custodian of Policy: Office of Graduate and Extended Learning
Relevant MnSCU Policy: This procedure is established in accordance with Minnesota State Policy 4.5 Student Employees. https://www.minnstate.edu/board/policy/4-05.pdf
Effective Date: January 2020
Last Review: 2022
Next Review: 2029
Relevant Procedures:
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define Graduate Assistant employment and to describe the requirements for hiring and compensation.
Definition
In order to qualify for employment as a Graduate Assistant, the graduate student must be currently admitted to one of MSU Moorhead's graduate programs and be making satisfactory academic progress.
Graduate Assistant positions will be able to work up to 20 hours per week and will be compensated as Graduate Assistants. Graduate Assistants that are paid regular funds must be enrolled for a minimum of three (3) graduate credits each semester; exception only for last semester. To be eligible for federal or state work study funding graduate students must fill out the FAFSA form each year and must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) graduate credits; no exceptions.
Employment as a Graduate Assistant should:
- Enrich the learning experience of the graduate student;
- Provide services to the department, program, and university that advance the student's graduate study.
Responsibility
The responsibility for implementation of this procedure is assigned jointly to the Office of Graduate and Extended Learning, Student Payroll, and the supervisors.
Eligibility
- Have earned a bachelor's degree.
- Be fully admitted and enrolled in a graduate degree program at MSU Moorhead prior to the beginning of the graduate student employment.
- Graduate Assistants that are paid regular funds must be enrolled for a minimum of three (3) graduate credits each semester; exception only for last semester.
- To be eligible for federal or state work study funding graduate students must fill out the FAFSA form each year and must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) graduate credits; no exceptions.
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Must complete FERPA training.
Graduating students' last day of employment is the final day of the term of the assignment.
The supervisor will verify continued eligibility of graduate assistants during the course of the assistantship. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress or who drop below the minimum graduate credit hours of enrollment required will become ineligible for continued employment.
Concurrent Employment
Graduate Assistants may not be employed at the university concurrently as faculty or in any other full-time university employment capacity during the period of Graduate Assistant employment.
Wages and Hours
Graduate Assistants will be paid on an hourly basis at rates set for student workers. The hiring department will determine the number of hours per week to be assigned, a maximum of 20 hours a week except during breaks and the summer when full-time students may work up to 40 hours a week.