The Office of Graduate Assistantships provides information regarding Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, Scholarships, and Awards.  This office maintains oversight over certain assistantships, fellowships, and awards offered through the Graduate School.  Students seeking graduate assistantships, fellowships, and other awards are encouraged to contact their respective academic department first.  Please check the Graduate School web pages for information and links to the many scholarships and awards available nationwide.

Graduate Student Assistantship Information

More than 2,100 Graduate Assistantships are awarded annually at LSU.  Five types of Assistantships are available.  Graduate Assistantships are available through more than 70 academic departments, as well as some administrative units.

Assistantship Positions

• Teaching Assistant 1 (TA1)  If you have this classification, you will assist in such tasks as preparing examinations, grading papers, preparation of class lectures, maintenance of class records, and tutoring students outside formal classes.
• Teaching Assistant 2 (TA2)  If you have this classification, your duties may include the tasks mentioned above, in addition to making presentations in laboratories or classrooms, conducting lectures, and leading discussion groups but not as the teacher of record. These tasks involve direct contact with students.
• Teaching Assistant 3 (TA3)  If you have this title, your duties will include all of those mentioned under TA1 and TA2, as well as teaching classes for credit as the instructor of record and/or as the person primarily responsible for assigning grades.
• Research Assistant (RA)  If you hold this position, your duties will consist of conducting research.
• Service Assistant (SA)  If you have this classification, your duties will include, but are not limited to, assisting the editors of scholarly journals housed at LSU, conducting analyses, assisting in library services, and other academic/professional assignments.

Rules Regulating Graduate Assistantships

If you accept a Graduate Assistantship appointment at LSU, the following Guidelines will help you understand the policies and rules governing the program.

• Full-Time Enrollment--You must maintain full-time enrollment in graduate-level courses (Please refer to the The Graduate School Bulletin for definition of full-time enrollment.)
• English Language-- If your native language is not English, you must complete the Spoken English Course within one year of employment. In order to be employed as a Teaching Assistant (TA2 or TA3), you must have completed the Spoken English Course and be certified to teach prior to employment.
• Fees--You are also responsible for applicable fees. Current tuition and fees can be obtained from the Office of Budget and Planning
• Tuition--As a graduate assistant, you are responsible for paying in-state tuition. Full-time (20 hr per week) assistantship appointments receive a full tuition exemption.  You will be responsible for fees.
• Good-Standing--You must be admitted and enrolled in good standing, maintaining at least a 3.00 grade-point average.  (Please refer to the The Graduate School Bulletin for definition of good standing.)
• Stipends--Graduate assistant stipends vary widely, depending on the department and the assigned duties.  Appointments range from 10 to 20 hours per week. The minimum stipend level is currently $5,400 per academic year.  Stipend guidelines are generally based on specific duties being performed, job skills, and educational background.  You should contact the academic department directly for specific information.
• Payroll--Graduate assistant salaries are based on the specific type of contract term. If you have a fiscal- year contract your appointment is based on a 12 month work assignment and you will be paid once a month on the last working day of each month. If you have an academic-year contract, your appointment will be based on a nine-month assignment, usually starting at orientation in the fall semester (August) and ending at commencement in the spring (May). With an academic-year contract, you will be paid once a month on or near the 21st of each month.
• Taxes--All graduate assistantship stipends are considered as taxable income.  As a graduate assistant, you must report earnings as taxable income.  Tax forms (W-4 and L-4 forms) must be filed within the first three days of employment.  Some countries have tax treaties with the U.S. in which all or some portion of earnings may be tax exempt.  Questions about tax information should be directed to the LSU Office of Accounting Services (225-578-4891).
• Benefits--The following Benefits apply to you as a graduate assistant:
  • Only for the duration of your contract period.  To qualify for a nonresident and/or tuition exemption, you must be employed on an assistantship at least half the semester.  You must be employed on an assistantship on or before the following dates:  March 1st for spring, July 1st for summer, and October 1st for fall.
  • As a graduate assistant, you are eligible for a 10% discount on supplies and book purchases at the Barnes and Noble Union Bookstore.
  • As a graduate assistant, you may elect to pay University tuition and fees by payroll deduction.  This option allows you to have your total tuition bill deferred in full at the time of registration and paid to the University over a four-month period in equal installments.
  • You may elect to defer half of your tuition by authorizing the University to initiate a payroll deferment.  This option allows you to defer a maximum of 50% of your tuition and fees at the time of registration and pay the remaining balance in full at a later time established by the University.  There is a service charge of $15 to process this option.
  • Non-resident students who hold assistantships are classified as residents for fee purposes only, and only for the duration of the assistantship contract.  For more information regarding residency status, check the LSU Residency Policies.
  • Information governing the assistantship program may be found in the Graduate School Bulletin and within University Policy Statements PS-21 and PS-85. 

For more information:

      LIZ BARBIN

      Office of Graduate Assistantships

      203 West David Boyd Hall (225) 578-1687 FAX (225) 578-1370

            e-mail: egbarbin@lsu.edu