This is a list of tasks and requirements associated with graduate assistantships. Please contact the Graduate School, your department, or your adviser, as appropriate, if you have questions or concerns. 

Respond to your Offer

If you receive an award, the response deadline is stated in the award letter (acceptance of an assistantship assumes you have read, understood and agreed to all rules and guidelines in the Graduate Assistant Handbook).

One-Time Tasks

• Direct deposit set up. Sign up for direct deposit of your paycheck (instructions on Student Employment website). If your banking or contact information changes, be sure to make any necessary updates to your direct deposit information.
• Assistantship document completion
  • The I-9 employment verification form must be completed in the Graduate School within 72 hours of the first day of work. See form for acceptable forms of identification (I.D.s must be original).
  • Submit W-4 Tax Withholding form to Payroll (requires MU VPN).
• Compliance training (FERPA, Title IX, etc.). Some responsibilities require training to ensure compliance with regulations. 
• New Teaching Assistant training. This is required for first-time TAs only. Returning TAs who already attended New TA Training and research assistants are not required to attend. New TAs will be contacted by the Graduate School about New TA Training.
• Departmental Teaching Assistant training. Departments may require additional training for new TAs. 
• Teaching Assistant Training for International Students.
• Compliance Training (Animal Care, Biosafety, etc.). Some responsibilities require training to ensure compliance with regulations. 

Recurring Tasks - Repeat Each Term

• Register for courses. Graduate assistants must maintain full-time status with a minimum of seven course credits, less than seven course credits plus full-time graduate assistantship continuous enrollment or full-time graduate assistantship continuous enrollment alone.
• Meet with your supervisor about responsibilities and goals. Schedule a meeting with the faculty/staff member supervising your assistantship to discuss your responsibilities and goals for the semester, each semester.
• Email your supervisor to confirm responsibilities and goals. Following the responsibilities and goals meeting, send your supervisor an email to confirm and document the responsibilities and goals you discussed, each semester.
• Set a mid-term performance evaluation meeting. Following midterm and before the end of the term, schedule a meeting with your supervisor for a performance evaluation discussion every semester.
• Re-apply for merit-based financial aid in CheckMarq. Awards are not automatically renewed past the term listed in your offer letter.