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Graduate Student Assistantships

Funding for your graduate education through teaching and research experience

What Assistantships Provide

Tuition Support
Assistantships cover in-state tuition and fees, significantly reducing the cost of your graduate degree. Out-of-state students receiving assistantships pay in-state tuition rates.
Monthly Stipend
Receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. Stipend amounts vary by department and assistantship type but typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 per month for 9-month appointments.
Professional Experience
Gain teaching or research experience that strengthens your CV, builds professional skills and prepares you for academic or industry careers.

Financial Support for Graduate Study

Graduate assistantships provide tuition support and a stipend in exchange for teaching or research work. Most doctoral students receive assistantship funding throughout their program and many master’s students also receive support. Assistantships give you valuable professional experience while reducing the financial burden of graduate education.

Build Your Engineering Career Through Assistanships

Graduate assistantships give you more than financial support, they’re an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, work alongside faculty and build the skills that can set you apart after graduation.

Find Your Department

Assistantship appointments are typically 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters, with some opportunities extending into the summer with additional funding. Departments award positions during the admissions process or as funding becomes available. If you are admitted without funding, opportunities may become available in future semesters. Strong academic performance and active engagement in research can increase your chances of receiving support.

  • Teaching Assistantships (TA): Put your engineering knowledge into practice by supporting undergraduate courses, leading labs, holding office hours, grading assignments and helping students solve problems. TAs develop valuable communication, leadership and mentoring skills that translate to careers in engineering, academia, management and technical training.
  • Research Assistantships (RA): Work directly with faculty on research that can shape your area of expertise. RAs may conduct experiments, analyze data, maintain lab equipment, contribute to publications, and tackle real-world engineering challenges. Research experience can complement your thesis or dissertation while helping you build specialized technical expertise and professional connections.

What to Expect

Graduate assistants are expected to meet their teaching or research commitments, complete required training, maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet deadlines. Your assistantship is both a funding opportunity and a professional experience designed to help you grow as an engineer.