Graduate Student Handbook
Money
Tuition and fees
The Department covers the full cost of tuition and health insurance for graduate students, both resident and non-resident. However, you are responsible for paying the yearly fees. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the fees for grad students were as follows: for students enrolled with 6 or fewer credits: $371.68; and for students enrolled with 7 or more credits: $467.68. See the University page on Costs & Financial Assistance for more information.
How to pay: Payment of fees can typically be done online through UAccess Student. Fellowships (because they are disbursed by the University) will usually have the fees deducted automatically---but don't assume this!! Check with Lynn Lane in the Business Office (621-6966) and/or the Bursar (621-3232) before the late date for payment to make sure you're paying in the correct manner.
Arizona Residency: After 12 consecutive months of residence in the state of Arizona, you may be eligible to become a resident. For the most part, this means you're not responsible for out-of-state tuition anymore, only in-state tuition. This is highly desirable in order to save both you and the Department money. Residency is sometimes rather difficult to obtain--make sure you have everything on the list that the Residency Office gives out. This includes: an Arizona permanent address and car registration, bank records, rental receipts, tax returns, two years of financial independence, and a compelling reason. Residence for the purpose of attending school is NOT acceptable. Call the Residency Office for more information or consult this website.
Getting Paid
Your actual salary will depend on what type of funding you receive and whether you have passed your orals. Students who have not passed their orals are not considered doctoral candidates yet and are called "graduate assistants." Once you've passed your orals (and filled out the appropriate forms), you're a Ph.D. candidate and a "graduate associate." People who are supported by the department as RA's or TA's during the academic year are responsible for finding a research situation to be paid over the summer. If you can't find summer funding, see the grad student funding rep or the department head. If you cannot find funding on your own, there are arrangements that can be made with the Department itself. The Departments official position is that any student in good standing will be supported.
RA's/TA's: Salary figures can be found at the bottom of this webpage. You will have to fill out timesheets during the summer months. RA's and TA's are paid every other Friday during the year. Sign up for direct deposit and view paychecks on UAccess Employee (different from UAccess Student). Federal and Arizona State taxes are withheld from these checks.
Fellowships/Grants: Fellowship stipends vary with the awarding institution. Almost every fellowship available to PtyS students will be disbursed by the University. The UA policy is to send two checks (each for 1/2 the stipend amount) directly to the student. One will be released on the first day of classes for the fall semester and the other on the first day of the spring semester. You must be registered in the University to receive your check. This policy is nominally to keep students from taking a big check and running off to Mexico without any obligation to the University. Any outstanding University charges are withheld from Fellowship checks but taxes are not. Fellowship stipends are considered taxable income (see the official IRS rules for more information) so you must plan to pay a big check on your own income tax time, or make quarterly estimated tax payments (contact the IRS for more information).
Fiscal year 2011-2012 salaries are:- Grad Assistant TA or RA
Academic Year Salary $16,088 Summer Wage Rate $23.17/hr Work Hours for Summer 464 Total Salary $26,849
- Grad Associate TA or RA
Academic Year Salary $17,726 Summer Wage Rate $25.53/hr Work Hours for Summer 464 Total Salary $29,572