Attachment B

Proposed Changes to GA Eligibility

Graduate Catalog | Fees and General Information

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available for qualified students in numerous fields and must be obtained from the department in which the student is majoring or another appropriate unit. Recipients of these appointments are expected to carry a limited program of graduate studies. Graduate students appointed to the position of graduate assistant whose appointment is equal to or greater than 25 percent shall, in addition to any stipend, be classified as an in-state student for tuition and fee purposes only. In addition, in-state registration (tuition) fees may be paid for appointees of 50 percent or more although tuition is normally not paid for audited courses. Successful applicants must have good academic records, adequate preparation for graduate study in their major field, regular admission to the Graduate School, and must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.85 on all work taken for graduate credit, although some departments may require their graduate assistants to maintain a higher grade point average. See probation policy below.

Graduate students on 50 percent appointment must be enrolled in a minimum of six hours of graduate credit during the academic year and a minimum of three hours during the summer if on summer appointment. For the full policy, see the Graduate School Handbook, available on the Graduate School website at grad.uark.edu.

Master’s students may hold a graduate assistantship for no more than six major semesters; a doctoral student may hold a graduate assistantship for no more than ten major semesters; a student who enters a doctoral program with only a baccalaureate degree may hold a graduate assistantship for no more than twelve major semesters. The department/program may petition the Graduate School for an extension to these time limits, on a case by case basis.

Application forms may be obtained from the Dean of the Graduate School or from the head or chair of the department in which the student seeks to do his/her major work.