FAQs about Graduate Assistantships
What kinds of assistantships are available on campus for graduate students?
There are variety of possible assistantships available: Graduate Assistantships (GAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs), and Research Assistantships (RAs). GAs and TAs are awarded directly by academic or administrative departments. RAs are usually awarded by individual faculty. TAs and RAs are typically given to students in that particular department, while GAs are typically administrative positions and may be awarded to students from a variety of departments. Applying for these positions typically requires a resume and cover letter, expressing your interest in the possibility of employment within the specific department.
Where can I go to find a GA position?
First and foremost, you should check with your academic department to explore positions. In addition to your department, other departments across campus, also will have GA positions. You can locate specific office and department addresses by searching for them by name at www.buffalo.edu/directory.
Although there is not one place to search for ALL GA positions, Career Services receives occasional on campus GA listings. Log in to BullsEye on the right and look under the "Part-Time UB Campus Vacancies and Graduate Assistantships" heading. Finally, you should always watch for notices on bulletin boards and check the "Help Wanted" section of The Spectrum, UB's student newspaper that comes out each Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the academic year. You may want to watch this workshop on Finding an On-Campus Job.
When should I begin looking for a GA position?
GA positions are open to all students university-wide and are highly competitive. As a result, you should apply for them as soon as possible. Typically, offices begin looking to fill vacant GA positions for an academic year towards the end of the preceding spring semester. Therefore, it is never too early to keep your eyes open! Past experience has shown that it is highly beneficial to go out and actively seek a position early on in the process even if you have not heard that an office may have an opening. These positions are not automatically assigned to students, they are all highly competitive so it is very important to be persistent and friendly throughout your search.
How many hours can I work?
Most Graduate Assistantships require that you work 20 hours per week.
How much money can I expect to make?
GAs, TAs, and RAs receive a cash stipend, which varies according to departmental funding, and a full or partial tuition waiver which does not cover fees, insurance or room and board. These positions can be for one semester, an academic year (10 months) or a full 12 months. They are renewable at the discretion of the department. Some departments limit the number of years a student may hold an assistantship.
As paperwork must be processed both on campus and in Albany, your first check may be delayed as much as four weeks. Time sheets must be turned in on schedule. Payroll has no discretion; if a time sheet is late, it "rolls over" to the next pay period.
Are there other on campus employment opportunities for graduate students?
There are many opportunities for students to work on campus and they are available in many departments. These students, often called Student Assistants, perform many functions for departments from clerical and reception work, to cooking and serving food, to officiating at sports events, to shelving books, to assisting a professor or graduate student with research. Virtually every department has at least one Student Assistant.
You are also encouraged to inquire at the Student Response Center located at 232 Capen about graduate student work study positions. In addition, you should seek out unadvertised openings. One of the best ways to find employment is to identify offices/departments you are interested in and approach them to see if they are hiring students. You may want to check out some links to on campus employers. Some of the larger on campus employers are: Food Service (go to each area), the Libraries (go to each one), Recreation and Intramurals (Room 130 in Alumni Arena), Athletics (Room 102 in Alumni Arena), Residence Halls and Apartments (Residence Hall Director or Assistant Hall Director positions), Student Unions/Student Activities, Facilities (maintenance), The Learning Center, EOP and the Computing and Information Technology Help Desks.
What documents do I need?
Some departments may require that you complete an application or submit a resume. All departments are required by USCIS ( US Citizenship and Immigration Service) law to verify authorization to work in the United States. In order to verify this information, you will need to fill out an I-9 form and present appropriate documentation. Some examples are: Social Security card and driver's license, valid US passport, Alien Registration Receipt Card ("green card"), valid foreign passport and I-20. Other combinations are listed on the I-9 form. Be prepared with your documents: you are not allowed to begin working until this requirement is satisfied!
You will also need to fill out State and Federal Tax forms (W-4 forms) to determine how much tax will be taken from your check. A higher number of exemptions will result in fewer taxes being withheld, but you may end up owing a considerable amount at the end of the tax year.
You may also need to complete an Oath of Office form, depending on your position. This form asks you to take an oath to uphold the laws of the State of New York and of the University at Buffalo. Human Resource Services, located at 120 Crofts Hall or hr.buffalo.edu 
can provide you with copies of specific regulations at your request.