REDUCED TUITION
Graduate Assistantships

 

 

Background Information

 

The South Dakota Board of Regents established a graduate assistantship program that offers financial assistance in exchange for technical expertise. Grouped according to focus, types of assistantships include teaching, research, and administrative.  The exact nature of each position is contingent upon departmental assignment and current need; time commitment equates to approximately 20 hours per week throughout the entire semester. 

 

Consistent with BOR policy 5:22, resident graduate assistants and fellows shall be assessed the resident special tuition rate of fifty-three percent (53%) of the resident graduate tuition rate for all on-campus courses, in addition to 100% of the general activity fee and discipline fees. Nonresident graduate assistants and fellows shall be assessed the nonresident special tuition rate of sixty-three percent (63%) of the resident graduate tuition rate for all on-campus courses, in addition to 100% of the general activity fee and discipline fees. Any graduate assistant or fellow taking distance, off-campus, or Center courses will receive an off-campus special tuition rate for those courses equal to the reduction applied to the resident graduate on-campus tuition rate. The special tuition rates are part of the compensation for graduate assistant work.

 

Beyond these reductions in tuition, every graduate assistant earns a stipend for work performed during the term. 

 

Understandably, the selection process for all assistantship positions is rigorous and competitive.  But if selected, the student is afforded an exceptional opportunity to acquire both professional experience and financial resources that support pursuit of an advanced degree. 

 

Basic eligibility requirements include:

  • Unconditional acceptance by the Graduate School
  • Degree-seeking status
  • Good academic standing
  • Active course registration for the number of credits as defined by the university

 

Application Process

 

Each campus manages the application process differently.  See campus-specific details and links below:

 

 

​BHSU​Contact the Academic Affairs office at (605) 642-6262.
​DSU​Click on this link; the website features forms and submission information:
http://dsu.edu/graduate-students/graduate-admissions/graduate-assistantships
​NSU​Refer to this link, which includes directions for obtaining and submitting the necessary forms. 
http://www.northern.edu/academics/Graduate/Pages/ga.aspx
​SDSMT​Information regarding assistantships can be found here: https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Graduate-Education/Financing-Graduate-Education/. You can obtain additional details by directly contacting the academic department of interest.
​SDSU​The application/selection process is administered by each individual department that offers graduate assistantships.  As a first step, identify the department from which you hope to secure an assistantship and contact the department chairman for additional details.
​USD​Access information through this link: http://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/graduate-assistantships
This website includes links for the application and a delineation of university rules and regulations.