Graduate Assistant Information

Graduate Assistantships

Nov 2 – Nov 6 | Eligibility Check: Department completes the Identification and Eligibility Form. The Graduate College notifies the department of approval or ineligibility.
Nov 9 – Nov 13 | Submit PAF: Department submits the Personnel Action Form (PAF) to the Graduate College (leave start date blank).
Nov 16 – Nov 20 | Requisition Request: Graduate College sends requisition request to Human Resources.
Nov 23 – Dec 4 | Student Application & Appeals Deadline: Student applies in Cornerstone and completes the background form.
Dec 7 – Dec 11 | Final Application & Appeals Deadline: Final window for the student to apply in Cornerstone and complete the background form. (Note: If a student has not applied by Dec 11, they must email the Graduate Dean, Dr. Anderson, to submit an appeal explaining why they did not apply on time.)

Form Link: Spring 2027 Graduate Assistant Identification and Eligibility Form
Submission Lead Time: Hiring departments must complete the Eligibility Form at least 30 days prior to the student's intended start date.
HR Onboarding Requirement: Students must complete the full onboarding process with Human Resources before they are legally allowed to start working.

Graduate Student Workers (GS)
- Work Hours: 15–29 hours per week (cannot exceed 29).
- Pay & Time Tracking: Paid bi-weekly; timecards must be submitted via GoNSU.
- Availability: Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters.
Graduate Student Assistants / Teaching Assistants (GN / GT)
- Work Hours: 20 hours per week.
- Pay & Time Tracking: Paid monthly via stipend; timecards are not required.
- Tuition Waiver: Includes a 6-hour graduate tuition waiver (excluding fees) for all GN/GT positions (.25 and .50 FTE).
- Pay Period Restrictions: Work can only begin at the start of a pay period. If Payroll does not receive paperwork by the 20th of the month, payment will be delayed until the following month.
- Availability: Fall and Spring semesters only (not available during summer).

To qualify for an assistantship, applicants must:

Be fully admitted to the Graduate College (probationary, temporary, or provisional status does not qualify).
Be admitted to a graduate degree program with an active plan of study on file.
Be enrolled in at least 6 graduate credit hours during the assistantship semester.
Meet any additional criteria specified by the employing department or assignment.

To maintain an assistantship, students must:

Maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. (Falling below a 3.0 results in immediate removal from the position and permanent loss of future eligibility.)
Complete at least 6 graduate credit hours per semester (9 credit hours for international students).
Receive a positive performance review and recommendation for retention from the hiring department.

Submit Eligibility Form: Hiring department completes the Spring 2027 Graduate Assistant Identification and Eligibility Form.
Eligibility Review: Graduate College reviews the form and sends notification of approval or ineligibility.
Submit PAF: Department submits the Personnel Action Form (Download PAF Document) to the Graduate College without a start date.
Requisition Request: Graduate College submits requisition request to HR.
Student Application: Student applies through Cornerstone.
Background Check: Student completes and passes the background check.
Offer Letter: Student receives and accepts the offer letter.
HR Onboarding: Student visits HR in person and submits:
- Valid Driver's License
- Social Security Card
- Direct Deposit Information (payroll form along with a voided check or official bank letter with name, routing number, and account number)
Start Date Issued: HR issues the official start date to the student.
Begin Work: Student officially begins work as a GA (work cannot begin prior to HR clearance).

Please contact Kristen Keyser (keyser@nsuok.edu) with any questions. Additional information is available on the website.