GTA/GRA/GA Benefits

The following tables outline the benefits provided to GTA/GRA/GAs, the dollar value of those benefits, and the remaining out of pocket cost to the student. Benefits levels below are based on a standard .50 FTE (20 hrs per week) position for one academic year (Fall & Spring only). See the GTA/GRA/GA benefits policy for more information and benefits detail for positions less than .50 FTE.

GTA/GRA/GA benefits policy

.50 FTE Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)

Unlike GRAs and GAs, GTAs are unionized. Base minimum salary and tuition support are governed by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between KU and the GTA Coalition (GTAC). All students hired as a GTA (regardless of FTE %) are automatically part of the GTAC collective bargaining unit. More information can be found on our GTA-Specific Information page.

∞This is the required minimum salary for all GTA positions; however, individual departments may choose to set higher salaries. GTAs should contact their hiring unit to confirm the exact salary for their position.
*Based on enrollment of 9 hours per Fall/Spring.
	Benefit	Value	Student Responsibility	Detail
Wages	$19,594.16 base minimum∞ per Academic Year (9 months)	Hourly equivalent of $25.21 /hour	N/A	GTAs are salaried (not hourly) employees. They work an average of 20 hours/week over the full semester. They are hired either by the semester, Fall (8/18 to 12/31) / Spring (1/1 – 5-16), or for the full academic year (8/18-5/16). Availability of summer GTA employment varies by department.
Tuition	100%	$18,862*	$0	100% of tuition is waived, including technology & infrastructure fees, and differential course fees for schools that require them. Some schools may cap graduate enrollment at 16 hours, however, there is no cap on the total tuition waiver. See KU's Tuition & Fee Calculator for more specific amounts based on an individual student's enrollment.
Student Fees	up to 3 hours per semester	$136.47 per semester	$144.58 per semester	Up to 3 hours of student fees are paid by the University each semester. Fees are $45.49 per credit hour for hours 1-5, and $53.60 for the 6th hour of enrollment. Student fees are capped at 6 hours, for a total of $281.05 per semester. A full list of services funded by the student fee is on KU's Composition of Fees page.
Wellness Fee	100%	$241 per semester	$0	The Wellness fee, which provides access and services at Watkins Health Center, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and Ambler Rec Center, is paid in full by the University for students who are required to pay the flat rate fee. Note that for students enrolled in 1-2 hours, the Wellness fee is optional.
Optional Group Health Insurance	75% of premium paid by employer	$855 per semester	$275 per semester	.50 FTE GTAs are eligible for the Graduate Student Health Insurance. They receive a reduced premium (“Incentivized Plan”) compared to the general student population (“Voluntary Plan”) and 75% of the premium is paid by the employer. See HR’s 3G Health Insurance Page for more information.
Other	Training & Professional Development	N/A	$0	Initial training for new GTAs (required by the MOA) and continued access to optional instructional support and professional development sessions through the Center for Teaching Excellence.
TOTAL ANNUAL FINANCIAL VALUE				$40,981.10

.50 FTE Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

	Benefit	Value	Student Responsibility	Detail
Wages	$19,594.16 per Academic Year (9 months)∞	Hourly equivalent of $25.21 /hour	N/A	GRAs are salaried (not hourly) employees. They work an average of 20 hours/week over the full semester. GRAs may be hired for specific dates (e.g. for the semester or academic year) or continuously (i.e. no specific end date).
Tuition Rate	Employee tuition rate (in-state tuition rate)	$10,998*	N/A	GRAs at .40 FTE or higher are assessed tuition at the in-state rate, regardless of their personal residency status. See the Employee Rates policy for more information.
Tuition	100%	$7,866**	$0	100% of tuition (in-state rate) is paid by the sponsor or hiring unit, including technology & infrastructure fees, and differential course fees for schools that require them. See KU's Tuition & Fee Calculator for specific amounts based on an individual student's enrollment.
Student Fees	at least 3 hours per semester	$136.47 per semester	$144.58 per semester	A minimum of 3 hours of student fees must be paid by sponsor/hiring unit each semester, although more may be covered at the discretion of the sponsor. Fees are $45.49 per credit hour for hours 1-5, and $53.60 for the 6th hour of enrollment. Student fees are capped at 6 hours, for a total of $281.05 per semester. A full list of services funded by the student fee is on KU's Composition of Fees page.
Wellness Fee	100%	$241 per semester	$0	The Wellness fee, which provides access and services at Watkins Health Center, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and Ambler Rec Center, is paid in full by the sponsor/hiring unit for who are required to pay the flat rate fee. Note that for students enrolled in 1-2 hours, the Wellness fee is optional.
Optional Group Health Insurance	75% of premium paid by employer	$885 per semester	$275 per semester	.50 FTE GRAs are eligible for the Graduate Student Health Insurance. They receive a reduced premium (“Incentivized Plan”) compared to the general student population (“Voluntary Plan”) and 75% of the premium is paid by the employer. See HR’s 3G Health Insurance Page for more information.
TOTAL FINANCIAL VALUE				$40,981.10

∞Required minimum salary for budgeting for project based/grant funded appointments, per KU Office of Research budgeting guidelines. Hiring units may choose to pay more, when allowable. University fellowship awards are administered as a .50 GRA appointment and provide a higher salary. More information may be found here:

*Based on a difference of $611 per credit hour between the cost of in-state versus out-of-state tuition for 9 hours of tuition each Fall/Spring (18 hours total for the academic year).

**Based on enrollment in 9 hours of in-state tuition per Fall/Spring.

.50 FTE Graduate Assistant (GA)

	Benefit	Value	Student Responsibility	Detail
Wages	Hourly wage varies.∞	Determined by hiring unit.	N/A	All GA positions are hourly, with the exception of positions employing students in the Higher Education Administration master’s program. GAs may be hired for specific dates (e.g. for the semester or academic year) or continuously (i.e. no specific end date).
Tuition Rate	Employee tuition rate (in-state tuition rate)	$10,998*	N/A	GAs at .40 FTE or higher are assessed tuition at the in-state rate, regardless of their personal residency status. See the Employee Rates policy for more information.
Tuition	18 hours of in-state tuition**	$8,195.40**	All course fees & cost of tuition above 9 hours each fall/spring	9 hours of in-state tuition, including technology & infrastructure fees, is sponsored* each fall/spring. GA appointments do not cover the cost of differential course fees for schools that require them. Hiring units may choose to sponsor more than the minimum amount covered by the University. See KU's Tuition & Fee Calculator for more specific amounts based on an individual student's enrollment.
Student Fees	Not covered	N/A	$281.05	Student fees are the responsibility of the GA, unless the hiring unit chooses to cover them. Fees are $45.49 per credit hour for hours 1-5, and $53.60 for the 6th hour of enrollment. Student fees are capped at 6 hours, for a total of $281.05 per semester. A full list of services funded by the student fee is on KU's Composition of Fees page.
Wellness Fee	Not covered	N/A	$241 per semester	The flat rate Wellness fee, which provides access and services at Watkins Health Center, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and Ambler Rec Center, is the responsibility of the GA, unless the hiring unit chooses to cover it. Note that for students enrolled in 1-2 hours, the Wellness fee is optional.
Optional Group Health Insurance	75% of premium paid by employer	$885 per semester	$275 per semester	.50 FTE GAs are eligible for the Graduate Student Health Insurance. They receive a reduced premium (“Incentivized Plan”) compared to the general student population (“Voluntary Plan”) and 75% of the premium is paid by the employer. See HR’s 3G Health Insurance Page for more information.
TOTAL FINANCIAL VALUE				$33,003.66^β

∞Hiring units are strongly encouraged to set pay comparable to GTA/GRA pay levels in that unit. Newly created GA positions with a start date after 8/18/2024 must pay at least $15.94/hour to receive approval by the Office of Graduate Studies.

*Based on a cost difference of $611 per credit hour between the cost of in-state versus out-of-state tuition for 9 hours of tuition each Fall/Spring (18 hours total for the academic year).

**Annual amount based on 18 hours of in-state tuition (9 hours per fall/spring) including technology & infrastructure fees ($4,097.70 per fall/spring). Beginning Fall 2024, 9 hours of tuition are sponsored for .40 FTE or higher GAs each fall/Spring. The source of funding for tuition sponsorship is dependent on the source of funding for the salary. For positions funded through state funds, campus fees, or for students for whom holding a GA position is a degree requirement, 9 hours of tuition are sponsored centrally by the University. For positions that are funded through KUEA or project-based funds, the 9 hours of tuition must be paid by the hiring unit. Summer tuition coverage and coverage of any course or student fees in any semester is at the discretion of the hiring unit.

β Based on a minimum hourly rate of $15.94/hour.