Stipend Levels for Graduate Assistants and Fellows for 2012-2013 - REVISED

From: Deans, Department Chairs, and Graduate Directors

The FY2013 USM Compensation Guidelines include a two-percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to be made on January 1, 2013 for regular faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. The revised FY13 minimum stipends for Step I Graduate Assistantships, whether on state or research accounts, are given below, together with additional guidelines. The COLA adjustment applies to all graduate assistant stipend levels, which should be increased by 2%. It does not apply to fellowship stipend levels. Please ensure that your stipend levels and practices will be in compliance effective January 1, 2013.

Graduate Assistantship Stipends

	All graduate assistants fall into one of three steps. Step I is for first-year graduate assistants only; Step II is for second-year assistants, as well as those students, new or continuing, holding a master’s degree; and Step III is for doctoral students officially advanced to candidacy. Students should be placed in the appropriate step.
	The Graduate School sets a minimum stipend level for Step I. Each unit is to ensure that its Step I stipend level is equal to or higher than the minimum specified below.
	Stipend levels have no caps at any step, and should differ between steps.
	All graduate assistants at a particular step, in a particular unit, should receive the same stipend amount regardless of their payment history.

Minimum Stipends for Step I Graduate Assistantships are as follows:

NOTE: Teaching Assistants must be offered a 9.5-month or 12-month assistantship due to responsibilities after the last day of classes; TAs may not be offered a 9-month assistantship.

Graduate Fellowship Stipends: 9-Month and 12-Month

	The Graduate School sets minimum stipend levels, specified below, for fellowships to qualify for tuition remission. For details, see: www.gradschool.umd.edu/prospective_students/general_fellowship.html.
	Fellowship stipend levels have no caps.
	Guidelines for University and Dean’s Fellowship increments apply.
	No work requirements can be attached to graduate fellowships.

Minimum Stipends for Graduate Fellowships are as follows:

International Students on Assistantships or Fellowships

International students offered a 9- or 9.5-month assistantship or fellowship must show proof of private financial resources for the remainder of the year or must be provided additional support for that period. In either case, the total 12-month amount must equal or exceed the amount required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to obtain an immigration visa. For further information, please contact International Education Services (IES) at ex. 4-7740.

For further information regarding stipend guidelines, or for other assistance, please contact Patricia Woodwell, Director, Administrative Services (x50814) or Barbara Ferguson, Fellowship Coordinator (x50371).

Cc:
Robert Platky
Linda Clement
Michele Eastman
Thomas Vogler
William McLean
Barbara Varsa

View PDF version of the official memo here
Note: Updated August 2012