Academic regulations can be located under the Graduate Catalog – Graduate Academic Regulations and in the GA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The Graduate Student Employment Principles Guide is another great resource for a quick glance at various GA requirements.
To be considered a graduate assistant please follow the requirements below:
1. Classification: Enrolled as a graduate student and have a classification of 7, 8, or 9.
2. Graduate Assistant Titles: Have the correct title based on job description.
Starting titles for Graduate Assistants:
Promotional opportunities:
3. Appointment dates must follow the academic calendar:
4. GPA:
5. Registration and FTE: Be registered for the correct number of credits per their assigned hours per week (FTE). Keep in mind the difference between an appointment for a U.S. Citizen and a Foreign National (this will be explained further in the Tuition Waiver Section).
U.S. Citizens
Foreign Nationals
Best practice is to hire the Graduate Assistant between a .25 – .74 FTE, as anything above or below this will need a Graduate School petition for approval unless they already have an active Graduate Assistant appointment meeting the minimum FTE requirements.
Stipends
Minimum Salary by FTE (effective October 1, 2023):
9-Month Appointments (19.5 Pay Periods)
FTE | Annual | Bi-Weekly |
1.0 | $ 38,400.00 | $ 1,969.23 |
.50 | $ 19,200.00 | $ 984.61 |
.33 | $ 12,672.00 | $ 649.84 |
.25 | $ 9,600.00 | $ 492.30 |
12- Month Appointments (26.1 Pay Periods)
FTE | Annual | Bi-Weekly |
1.0 | $ 51,200.00 | $ 1,961.68 |
.50 | $ 25,600.00 | $ 980.84 |
.33 | $ 16,896.00 | $ 647.35 |
.25 | $ 12,800.00 | $ 490.42 |
2024 – 2025 Academic Dates
Semester | Dates | # Pay Periods |
Summer A | 5/15/2024 – 6/30/2024 | 3.3 |
Summer B | 7/01/2024 – 8/15/2024 | 3.4 |
Summer C | 5/15/2024 – 8/15/2024 | 6.7 |
Fall 2024 | 8/16/2024 – 12/31/2024 | 9.8 |
Spring 2025 | 1/01/2025 – 5/15/2025 | 9.7 |
2023 – 2024 Academic Dates
Semester | Dates | # Pay Periods |
Summer A | 5/16/2023 – 6/30/2023 | 3.4 |
Summer B | 7/01/2023 – 8/15/2023 | 3.2 |
Summer C | 5/16/2023 – 8/15/2023 | 6.6 |
Fall 2023 | 8/16/2023 – 12/31/2023 | 9.8 |
Spring 2024 | 1/01/2024 – 5/14/2024 | 9.7 |
Letter of Appointment
The letter of appointment is a contract between the University of Florida and the graduate assistant. It ensures both parties understand what is expected of the position, including, but not limited to the duties, compensation, employment length, and that, if they are at a .25 FTE or higher, they are eligible to enroll in GatorGradCare, which they have the responsibility to enroll in within 60 days of their hire date.
Instructions:
Rehires
When rehiring a graduate student away from their original department within two academic semesters, they will need to receive the same pay rate unless there is a change in FTE, duties, or responsibilities. This does not apply after two semesters.
For an all-inclusive list of what is required for a Graduate Assistant, please view the New Hire Checklist for more information.
Key Hiring Documents:
This is not exhaustive, please make sure to check the New Hire Checklist.
Additional Forms (if applicable):
Confirm Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications:
Creating the ePAF:
Most Common Employment Changes
During the Graduate Assistant appointment there might be some changes that will need to be processed, such as:
Leave of Absence
Graduate assistants are entitled to six (6) weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period if they meet the eligibility criteria per the GAU bargaining agreement: Article 8.3 and 8.4. For more information on how to request this leave please review Graduate Assistant Leave of Absence Process.
If a graduate assistant appointment will be terminated, the effective date needs to match the last day of the academic calendar. A termination date inconsistent with the academic calendar will kick out the student’s waiver and they will owe their full tuition.
If you are terminating with an effective date that is not the end of the semester, please indicate the reason on the comments and provide documentation, if appropriate.
Common termination reason codes for terminations:
The Exit Checklist – Separation should be completed for employees who are departing from the university. The Exit Checklist – Transfer is a more condensed checklist for employees who are only transferring to another unit. It is also encouraged to have the employee complete an Exit Survey.
The Decision Tree can be used when determining if the appointment should be transferred or terminated.
UF Graduate Students that have an active appointment are eligible to receive a tuition waiver. This is entered by the department that will provide the tuition and/or fee waiver on the student financial account.
Please review the UF Graduate Letters of Appointment Guide and the Tuition Waiver Troubleshooting Guide for more information on the process.
Requirements for a Tuition Waiver:
Tuition Waiver Timeline:
Re-appointments occur when you extend the GA’s position another semester within the same department.
Summer and Short Work Break Files
The summer appointment file is meant to provide an easier method to enter summer appointments only. This affects Graduate Assistants in the GA09 salary plan. The short work break file allows the employment record to remain active without payment, since that employee is not working during the summer break but will be returning in the fall. Departments do not have to take any action unless the person is being terminated at the end of the spring semester.
Navigation to Files
Short Work Break Report:
myUFL.edu > Main Menu > Enterprise Analytics > Access Enterprise Analytics > Team Content > Human Resources Information > Workforce Information > Short Work Break – Return from Break Report
Summer Appointments:
myUFL.edu > Main Menu > Human Resources > Workforce Administration > Job Information > UF Summer Job Review
Hiring
Summer appointments are used as complementary appointments to Graduate Assistants that are hired in a GA09 appointment. During the summer, the GA09 appointment will automatically be placed on a short work break.
Requirements:
Terminations
All summer appointments must be terminated once their summer assignment has concluded. These terminations will not be done automatically, and the department must submit an ePAF with the reason code ESA (End of Summer Appointment).
In order to employ a Student Assistant, the student must:
If a student requests to work over 20 hours, they can work a maximum of 31 hours as long as an Hours Extension Form is completed.
Understand that the student’s education goals are the main priority, and their Student Assistant position should not interfere.
Requirements for New Hires
When submitting the hire ePAF make sure you follow the New Hire Checklist and provide the required documents.
ePAF approval may be delayed due to:
Potential additional documents:
Creating the ePAF
Common Employment Changes:
Since STAS is at-will employment, termination may occur at any time by employee or employer.
When transferring an employee from another department, the best practice is to check with the other department first so that they are aware of the transfer.
Another best practice is to make the transfer effective at the beginning of a pay period or pay week.
Make sure that the student has been paid out completely from their previous job before being transferred to the new department.
Salary Plan Transfers
Be aware of the following guidelines:
The Exit Checklist – Transfer should be completed for employees who are transferring to another unit. It is also encouraged to have the employee complete an Exit Survey.
The Decision Tree can be used when determining if the appointment should be transferred or terminated.
The purpose of Federal Work-Study (FWS) is to provide students with part-time employment to help meet college costs and, if possible, provide work experience in a related field.
FWS is federally funded and need-based. Student eligibility is determined by information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These hire ePAFs are processed by the Student Financial Aid (FSA) Office.
Please contact Student Financial Affairs at (352) 392-0296 for inquiries about these hires.
Requirements for New Hires
When submitting the hire ePAF make sure you follow the New Hire Checklist and provide the required documents.
ePAF approval may be delayed due to:
Creating the ePAF
Common Employment Changes:
Since FWS is at-will employment, termination may occur at any time by employee or employer.
When transferring an employee from another department the best practice is to check with the other department first so that they are aware.
Be aware of the following guidelines:
The Exit Checklist – Transfer should be completed for employees who are transferring to another unit. It is also encouraged to have the employee complete an Exit Survey.
The Decision Tree can be used when determining if the appointment should be transferred or terminated.