State-Funded and Externally-funded (Grants & Contracts) Positions
Graduate assistants are appointed by the university to conduct work in exchange for a stipend package. Both Graduate College state-funded and extramurally funded graduate assistants will receive a stipend. All GA appointments must meet the minimum stipend amount from the student’s academic department. Graduate assistants awarded state-funded positions are under contract and receive a minimum stipend of $17,000 at the master's level for an academic year. MFA and Doctoral Graduate assistantship stipend amounts vary by department.
Externally funded GA stipends must meet the minimum state-funded GA stipend amount for the student’s home department.
Mandatory Student Health Insurance
All graduate assistants are required to have health insurance while employed. Graduate assistants will be charged for the student health insurance plan offered by UNLV. It will be up to each student as to whether or not to waive out of the UNLV Student Health Insurance by proving that they have acceptable coverage at the beginning of the semester they begin as a GA. All graduate assistants enrolled in the UNLV Student Health Insurance will be given a waiver that will cover the full cost of the premium. Visit the Student Health Center to learn more about student health insurance.
Out-Of-State Tuition Waiver for Non-Nevada Residents
Out-of-state graduate students who become graduate assistants are not required to pay out-of-state tuition while under GA contract. It should be noted, however, that out-of-state tuition is waived only during the time you hold your assistantship. Hence, if you are no longer a GA, you will be considered an out-of-state student (and pay out-of-state tuition), unless you have applied for and received Nevada residency, as defined in the residency regulations established by the Board of Regents.
Note: State-funded graduate assistants under contract in the spring semester and upcoming fall semester can take up to 3 summer term credits at a reduced rate.
GA Loans
Graduate assistants can apply for a GA loan of up to $500 per semester. These loans must be repaid by the end of the semester in which they are granted; recipients repay the loans through monthly payroll deductions. Please note that the loan is first applied to any unpaid university bills, with the remaining amount provided to the student. GA loans are not available in May, December, or summer months. To receive access to the online GA emergency loan application please email gradfinancialsvc@unlv.edu. For more information, call 702-895-4273.