Graduate Assistantships- Stipend and Tuition Waiver

Please note- Standard Rate applies to the following programs:

Anthropology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, English, History, PEHR, Political Science, Psychology, Science Education, Music, MBA, Geography and all Education programs.

Standard Rate	Full-Time	Half-Time
Biology	Full-Time	Half-Time
Chemistry	Full-Time	Half-Time
Computer Science	Full-Time	Half-Time
Environmental Science	Full-Time	Half-Time
Geology	Full-Time	Half-Time
Mathematics	Full-Time	Half-Time

TA FAQS

Q: How often am I paid?
A: You are paid twice a month on, or close to the 10th and the 25th of each month. See the following website: http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/hr/payroll/HRPayrollSchedule.pdf for a detailed calendar of pay dates.

Q: Where do I pick up my check?
A: You can pick up your check in the Cashier’s office (Old Main 245) or if you have Direct Deposit, it will automatically deposit into your bank account. See https://west.wwu.edu/admcs/forms/Payroll/elecFundsTrans.htm for Direct Deposit form and information.

Q: Do I get paid twice in December for fall quarter?
A: Yes, see pay schedule above: http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/hr/payroll/HRPayrollSchedule.pdf

Q: Do I get paid twice in June for spring quarter?
A: Yes, see pay schedule above: http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/hr/payroll/HRPayrollSchedule.pdf

Q: If my department is not open, where can I leave my employee documents?
A: You can leave your employee documents in the Graduate School (Old Main 530) which is open everyday the University is open.

Q: How do I determine if I am eligible to register for less than eight credits?
A: Check your academic history (enrollment) against your plan of study. If you have registered for all course work, with the exception of your thesis or research, then you are probably eligible to register for less than eight credits. If you have completed all the coursework (1) with exception of 690 or 691 (research), (2) or if a remaining course is offered in a future quarter, you also may be eligible to register for as few as 2 credits. Then contact the Graduate School at gradschool@wwu.edu, for final approval.

Q: Why am I not covered by health insurance immediately upon employment?
A: You are not immediately covered because the Graduate School selected Basic Health insurance, a state and federally subsidized health care program for low income residents. BH application processing time is one to three months. TA’s who are current individual Basic Health members are transferred to the TA Group effective October 1. An advantage of this health insurance program is that after you are no longer eligible to be in the WWU Graduate Assistant group, you may continue on an individual, self-pay basis if you are income eligible. Basic Health information at: http://www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov.

Q: My student account doesn’t look right, what is wrong?
A: You might be missing your TA waivers. Contact Graduate School with questions at gradschool@wwu.edu.

Q: As a TA, how much will I pay out of pocket in tuition and fees each quarter?
A: The TA appointment includes not only the stipend but also a waiver of the operating fees portion of tuition and fees (see codes STOW, STTA, STOX, STTB on your account). In addition the student health services fee is waived (code DGHS). For specific dollar amounts that a TA pays out of pocket, please click the appropriate link in the table above.

Q: I'm an International Student. How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
A: If you need to obtain a Social Security number, please contact International Programs and
Exchanges Office (IPE), College Hall 104, (360)650-3298. Please have your assistantship award letter available to show IPE. That office will provide a confirmation memo for you to take to the Social Security Administration office where you must apply for the number. The memo states that you are a full time student and in status.
Take the IPE Confirmation memo, your I-20, and your passport with visa and I-94 to the Social Security Administration office. If Canadian, take your Confirmation memo, I-20, passport and I- 94. In Bellingham, the Social Security office is located in the Federal Building, Room 109, 104 Magnolia Street (corner of Cornwall and Magnolia Streets). The application form, available at the Social Security Administration office, is brief and simple to complete. When you have completed and submitted the application form, ask for a “note of verification” from the Social Security Administration office. This note provides verification that you have applied for the Social Security number. Attach the note of verification when you submit the W-4. It usually takes two weeks to receive your Social Security Card. Contact Human Resources (x650-3326) with your Social Security number as soon as you receive it to complete the employment requirement.

You should apply for the Social Security number as quickly as possible after you have been
awarded the graduate assistantship. The Social Security number is a condition of employment.
Official employment cannot begin until you have obtained the Social Security number (or have a note of verification) and the I-9 is completed.
If you have any questions about obtaining the Social Security number, please contact the
International Programs and Exchanges Office, (360) 650-3298.

If you have a question that you think many other TA’s have, but it is not listed here, please send the question to the Graduate School, at gradschool@wwu.edu . Thank you!