Graduate · Funding
Assistantships at A-State: study for a master’s, get paid, pay in-state tuition
A-State fills more than 250 graduate assistantships every year. For international students it is the biggest lever on the cost of a master’s — about $6,174 of tuition a year, plus pay. Positions are limited and filled department by department, so start early.
250+
Assistantships a year
$411
Tuition per credit as an assistant (not $754)
20
Maximum hours of work a week
2
Paychecks a month
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What an assistantship saves you
| Without an assistantship | With a full assistantship | |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s tuition per credit | $754 | $411 (in-state rate) |
| 9 credits a semester — full year | $13,572 | $7,398 → $6,174 saved |
| 6 credits a semester — full year | $9,048 | $4,932 → $4,116 saved |
| Doctoral tuition | Program rate | Fully waived |
| Pay | — | Twice a month (amount depends on the position) |
Tuition only ($343 difference per credit). Fees, housing and insurance are billed as usual. The tuition benefit applies when you are appointed on or before the 11th class day and file the GA Tuition Application on time.
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Three kinds of assistantship
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
Supports faculty teaching: leading discussions or labs, grading, holding office hours. GTAs work under a supervising instructor and are not usually the instructor of record.
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Works on faculty research: literature reviews, data collection and analysis, grant support — with shared authorship where appropriate.
Graduate Administrative Support Assistant (GSA)
Rare and reviewed individually by the Graduate School: approved only when the duties tie to the degree and involve teaching, mentoring or leadership development.
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Conditions and rules
Master’s-level research assistants may have the in-state portion paid by their program — ask your department.
Conditions and rules
- Only a full assistantship (20 hours a week for the semester) waives the international portion of tuition, leaving the in-state portion
- File the GA Tuition Application before the 11th class day — miss it and you lose the benefit for that term
- Master’s: at least 6 graduate credits a semester, no more than 12 in total; at least 3 in summer if you hold the position
- Doctoral: at least 9 credits each regular semester and 3 each summer term with an assistantship
- Work is capped at 20 hours a week in every term
- Master’s students can be supported for up to six semesters, doctoral students up to ten (summers excluded)
Source: astate.edu — Graduate Assistantships · astate.edu — Tuition & Fees for Graduate Students · Updated Sep 23, 2026
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How to find and secure an assistantship
- 1
Apply for admission early
Departments favour admitted or in-review applicants. Apply months ahead and enter agent code VNI so the office can follow your file with you.
- 2
Browse open positions
Positions are posted on the university’s job portal (the “Apply for open positions” button on the Graduate Assistantships page). Read each position’s requirements carefully.
- 3
Contact departments and faculty
Send an academic CV and a short note on relevant skills (software, lab work, teaching experience) to the graduate coordinator or faculty with projects.
- 4
Get appointed, then file the tuition form
Once appointed, submit the GA Tuition Application before the 11th class day to receive the in-state rate or waiver.
The official page, with the open-positions button and the GA Tuition Application: astate.edu — Graduate Assistantships
Frequently asked questions
Can international students hold assistantships?
Yes. An assistantship is on-campus work, which fits F-1 status, and the university’s 20-hour weekly cap matches the on-campus work limit during term. Teaching positions may ask for evidence of spoken English — the department states this in the posting.
Am I guaranteed an assistantship?
No. The 250-plus positions are university-wide and filled by each department. Plan your first-year funding as if you had none — your I-20 proof of funds has to cover that amount anyway.
When should I start looking?
As soon as you apply for admission. Many positions are filled before term starts, and the tuition benefit only applies if you are appointed by the 11th class day.
Does an assistantship cover fees or housing?
No. The benefit applies to tuition only. Per-credit and per-term fees, housing, meals and insurance are billed as usual.
How much does an assistantship pay?
It depends on the position and department; the university does not publish a single rate. Pay arrives twice a month.
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