Being Appointed & Accepting a GA
If you have been selected to receive a graduate assistantship, simply follow these steps:
- Log into your online application to view your decision letter.
- From your “My Funding” Tab in the Grad Rebel Gateway, choose the application that has a status of “Decision Available” Click on “Decision Available” to review your offer letter. After you have reviewed your offer letter. Click on “Respond to Offer” under Action Required to accept or decline your GA offer. If you fail respond to your GA offer before the deadline listed in your offer letter, your GA offer will be rescinded.
- GA contracts are now processed electronically through Workday. Prior to the start of your GA contract, you will be notified regarding GA Orientation and On-Boarding.
- Register for your classes as soon as possible. We cannot process your tuition waiver until you have registered! Graduate assistants must carry a minimum of six graduate credit hours per semester. Audited or undergraduate courses will not be accepted. Failure to remain in six graduate credit hours for a grade will result in the termination of the Graduate Assistantship contract. An overload petition must be approved by the department chair and Graduate College Dean for credit overloads in excess of 12 credit hours.
- Make sure to contact your GA department before the start of your contract for duties and responsibilities.
Important Information for International GAs
In order to process a GA contract, you must give your official Social Security Number (SSN) to the GSFS office at the Graduate College. We are not able to process paychecks until we receive verification of your social security number. If applying for a social security number, you need to have been in the United States for at least 10 days. If possible, we recommended that you arrive with enough time to apply to avoid any delays in processing your contract and 1st paycheck. Per Federal Regulations, F-1 students are allowed to work up to 90 days while you wait for your SSN.
Mandatory Duolingo English Test for All New International Graduate Assistants
All new international students who are first time graduate assistants will be required to take the Duolingo English Test. This includes all graduate assistants who will be advising or teaching students as an instructor, teaching assistant or lab supervisors. Research assistants and graduate assistants with other professional duties are also required to take the Duolingo English Test. Please visit our page, English Proficiency Requirement for New International Graduate Assistants for more information regarding this policy.
Additional Employment Guidelines for Graduate Assistants
If you plan to engage in additional employment either on or off campus, you must first receive approval from your department chairperson, followed by the Graduate College dean. Your employment must be limited to 10 hours or less per week and be related to your area of study. It is important that you follow the approval process, as failure to do so may result in the termination of your assistantship, delayed payment, or other repercussions. Please also note that if you are working for any institution in the NSHE system in addition to your GA, there may be complications with your payroll processing, so it is especially important that you work with the GA Program Office in advance. Please complete the Request for Additional Employment form which can be found in the Grad Rebel Gateway portal under forms to begin the approval process.
You are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year. Your 20-hour-per-week assistantship must be your sole paid employment.
GA Paychecks
GAs will receive their 1st paycheck the first business day of the following month after they begin employment. For example, if you begin your contract in mid-August, your first check will be the first business day of September. After you receive your 1st paycheck, all other paycheck will be delivered on the first working day of the month as long as you have a continuous GA contract. Please see the chart below for more information regarding pay schedules.
| Appointment Term(s) | Number of Paychecks | First Paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Fall and Spring | 10 | First business day of September |
| Fall Only | 5 | First business day of September |
| Spring Only | 5 | First business day of February |
| Entire Summer | 2 | First business day of July |
| First Half of Summer | 2 | First business day of July |
| Second Half of Summer | 2 | First business day of August |
Graduate Assistants can pick up monthly paychecks at the UNLV Payroll Office during designated times, but we highly recommend signing up for direct deposit. Learn more about direct deposit from NSHE Payroll Services.