Ibrahim Gardner
The University of Illinois offers graduate assistantships to students, which provide financial support in the form of stipends and tuition waivers. These assistantships can be in the form of research or teaching assistantships, with most graduate students in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences being offered one of these positions. Students with assistantships are expected to work on all University workdays, except for University holidays. They are not provided with paid vacation days or paid sick leave. The pay rates for graduate assistantships vary depending on the student's degree level and the type of assistantship. For example, at the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences, pre-MS degree research assistantships in 2024-2025 had a monthly stipend of $2,808.61, while PhD students with research assistantships received $2,961.71 per month.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Climate, Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences |
| Graduate Assistantships | Research or teaching assistantships are offered to most graduate students |
| Research Assistantships | Half-time appointments requiring 20 hours of service per week |
| Teaching Assistantships | Students are expected to assist professors with preparation of course materials and/or grading papers and exams |
| Holidays | Students are not expected to work on University holidays |
| Vacation Days | Students are not given paid vacation days |
| Sick Leave | The University does not grant students paid sick leave |
| Pay Period | RAs and TAs are paid a maximum of 11 months and are not paid in the August pay cycle |
| Pre-MS degree RA AY 2024/2025 (pre-tax) Monthly | $2,808.61 |
| Post-MS degree RA AY 2024/2025 (pre-tax) Monthly | $2,885.16 |
| PhD Post-Prelim RA AY 2024/2025 (pre-tax) Monthly | $2,961.71 |
| TA AY 2024/2025 (pre-tax) Monthly | $2,954.06 |
| Tuition Fees | $14,578/year for Illinois residents and $27,530/year for non-residents |
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What You'll Learn
Teaching and research assistantships
The University of Illinois offers teaching and research assistantships to graduate students, providing them with financial support during their studies. These assistantships serve as a vital source of funding for graduate students, enabling them to earn a stipend while gaining valuable teaching or research experience.
Teaching assistantships are a common form of financial support offered by the university. Teaching assistants (TAs) are typically responsible for assisting professors with course preparation, grading papers and exams, and occasionally conducting limited classroom teaching. These positions are usually offered for one or two semesters, providing students with the opportunity to enhance their teaching skills and gain pedagogical experience.
Research assistantships, on the other hand, involve graduate students working closely with faculty members on research projects. These positions can be either nine- or eleven-month appointments, requiring around 20 hours of service per week. Research assistant (RA) responsibilities often include data analysis, computer programming, and background reading essential for the research being conducted. The specific duties may or may not be directly related to the student's thesis work.
The availability of research assistantships can vary from year to year, depending on the number of active research grants obtained by the faculty. Students interested in research assistantships should note that progress in their degree program and the availability of research funds are crucial factors in determining the duration of support they receive. Master's students, for instance, may receive support for two to three years, while PhD students' support may extend for at least three years, with some variability depending on their progress and advisor discretion.
The compensation for teaching and research assistantships at the University of Illinois is competitive. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the monthly stipends for graduate students with assistantships range from $2,808.61 to $2,961.71 before taxes. It's important to note that RAs and TAs are typically paid for a maximum of 11 months, excluding the August pay cycle. As such, students should plan their finances accordingly, considering the annual rate calculated based on the stipulated number of payment months.
In terms of benefits, students with teaching and research assistantships at the University of Illinois are not expected to work on university holidays. However, they are expected to work on all other university workdays, and no paid vacation days or paid sick leave are provided. Any time off during non-university holidays, such as Winter Break, must be approved by the relevant professor or instructor. The university offers a Graduate Assistant Employee Orientation to provide teaching and research assistants with information on their terms of appointment, waivers, stipends, and other benefits they may be entitled to.
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Pay and time off
The University of Illinois offers its graduate students pay and time off through research or teaching assistantships. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences, for instance, offers most of its graduate students assistantships, which can be supplemented with part-time research work. The iSchool also offers full support for PhD students for five academic years (excluding summers).
Graduate students are paid monthly, and the pay differs depending on the level of degree and the type of assistantship. For instance, at the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences, a pre-MS degree research assistant (RA) in AY 2024/2025 would receive $2,808.61 per month (pre-tax), while a post-MS degree RA would receive $2,885.16 per month (pre-tax). PhD students who are RAs receive $2,961.71 per month (pre-tax), while teaching assistants (TAs) receive $2,954.06 per month (pre-tax). It is important to note that RAs and TAs are paid a maximum of 11 months and are not paid during the August pay cycle.
Graduate students are not expected to work on University holidays but are expected to work on all other University workdays. They do not receive paid vacation days or paid sick leave. Any time off, such as during the Winter Break, must be approved by the professor, and students are expected to meet all responsibilities associated with their assistantship before taking any approved time off. If a student is ill, they are expected to make up for the lost time, with the details of makeup time settled between the student and their advisor.
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Funding sources
Graduate students at Illinois University can access several funding sources to support their studies. The availability and specifics of these funding sources may vary across departments and programs. Here is an overview of the primary funding sources for graduate students:
Assistantships
The Department of Atmospheric Sciences, for instance, offers research or teaching assistantships to most of its graduate students. Similar opportunities exist in other departments, such as the iSchool, which offers assistantships for PhD students. Assistantships can be either teaching assistantships (TAs) or research assistantships (RAs). Teaching assistants typically assist professors with course preparation, grading, and occasionally, classroom teaching. Research assistants, on the other hand, engage in tasks like data analysis, computer programming, and background reading essential for research projects. These assistantships usually require a half-time commitment of 20 hours of service per week.
Stipends and Benefits
Graduate assistants are provided stipends for their work. The exact amounts vary depending on the student's program and qualifications. For instance, at the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences, pre-MS degree RAs for the 2024/2025 academic year received a monthly stipend of $2,808.61 (pre-tax), while PhD Post-Prelim RAs received $2,961.71. TAs for the same period received $2,954.06 monthly. It is important to note that RAs and TAs are typically paid for a maximum of 11 months, excluding the August pay cycle.
Tuition Waivers
Tuition and service fees are often waived for graduate students receiving support through assistantships. For example, PhD students at the iSchool receive full tuition support for five academic years (excluding summers).
Fellowships
Students can also apply for graduate fellowships offered by federal agencies or the University itself. Fellowships can provide additional financial support and may be supplemented with part-time research assistantships.
External Funding
Graduate students may also seek external funding sources, such as grants or scholarships, to support their studies. This can include funding from private organizations, non-profit groups, or other external sources.
Overall, graduate students at Illinois University have access to a range of funding opportunities to support their academic pursuits. These funding sources can help offset the cost of tuition and living expenses, enabling students to focus on their studies and research.
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Cost of attendance
The cost of attendance for graduate students at Illinois University depends on several factors, including the program of study, the type of assistantship or fellowship, and the duration of the student's degree. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences, for instance, offers both research and teaching assistantships to most of its graduate students. These positions can provide a stipend or salary, and they often come with a tuition waiver, helping to offset the cost of attendance.
For the academic year 2024/2025, the monthly stipend for a pre-Master's research assistant is $2,808.61 (pre-tax), while a post-Master's research assistant receives $2,885.16 (pre-tax) per month. PhD students who have passed their preliminary exams and are working as research assistants receive $2,961.71 (pre-tax) per month. Teaching assistants for the same period receive slightly less at $2,954.06 (pre-tax) per month. It is important to note that both research and teaching assistants are paid for a maximum of 11 months and do not receive compensation during the August pay cycle. Therefore, to calculate an annual rate, the monthly rates should be multiplied by 11.
Research assistantships can be either 9- or 11-month appointments, typically requiring 20 hours of service per week. Responsibilities may include data analysis, computer programming, and background reading essential for research. On the other hand, teaching assistants are expected to assist professors with course preparation, grading, and sometimes classroom teaching. Teaching assistantships are usually given for one or two semesters before students are transferred to a research assistantship.
Master's students are typically supported for two to three years, depending on their progress and the availability of funds. Support beyond this timeframe is at the discretion of the advisor and the student's overall progress. PhD students' support duration is more variable but normally extends for at least three years, also depending on advisor discretion. Students in these assistantship positions are expected to work on all university workdays except for university holidays. They do not receive paid vacation days or paid sick leave, and any time off must be approved by the relevant professor.
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Student responsibilities
For teaching assistantships, students are responsible for assisting professors with course preparation, grading papers and exams, and sometimes teaching a limited number of classes. Teaching assistants must also ensure that they meet all their responsibilities before taking any approved time off, as they do not receive paid vacation days or paid sick leave. Any time off must be approved by the professor they are assisting.
Graduate students at the iSchool may also have research or teaching assistantships, with most appointments being for 50% of the time, equivalent to 20 hours per week. PhD students who are teaching assistants are required to take training on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Overall, graduate students with assistantships at the University of Illinois are expected to work on all University workdays and are not expected to work on University holidays.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Illinois offers graduate assistantships to its students, which provide a stipend. The amount of the stipend varies depending on the program and the student's qualifications. For example, in the Department of Climate, Meteorology, and Atmospheric Sciences, a pre-MS degree research assistant can expect a monthly stipend of $2,808.61 (pre-tax) for 11 months.
The requirements for a graduate assistantship vary depending on the program and the specific assistantship. However, most assistantships require students to work a certain number of hours per week and have specific responsibilities, such as teaching or research duties. For example, a research assistantship typically requires 20 hours of service per week and may include responsibilities such as data analysis, computer programming, and background reading.
In addition to a stipend, graduate students with assistantships may also have their tuition and service fees waived. They are also not expected to work on university holidays, although they are not given paid vacation days or paid sick leave. However, the university offers a flexible policy regarding sick leave, leaving the details of makeup time to be settled between the student and their advisor.
