Graduate Assistantships
A Graduate Assistantship (GA) at Minnesota State Moorhead gives you hands-on professional experience while helping reduce the cost of graduate school.
Starting Fall 2026, Moorhead will offer competitive Graduate Assistantship positions for admitted graduate students across multiple programs. As a Graduate Assistant, you’ll work closely with faculty, strengthen career-ready skills, and gain paid experience within your academic field.
Fall 2026 Applications Open March 24
Priority Deadline: April 6, 2026
Final Deadline: August 1, 2026
Ready to apply? Jump to How to Apply.
Have questions about eligibility, stipends, or work expectations?
Jump to the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Why Apply for a Graduate Assistantship?
Graduate Assistantships combine professional experience with financial support. As a GA, you can:
- Work closely with faculty and academic programs
- Develop research, teaching, and leadership skills
- Support undergraduate learning in high-impact courses
- Reduce tuition costs through awarded credit waivers
- Receive a semester stipend while gaining valuable experience
These positions are ideal for students who want to build their resume and advance professionally in the Minnesota and North Dakota region while completing their graduate degree.
Graduate Assistantship Benefits
Moorhead’s Graduate Assistantship Program provides a financial and academic support package designed to help students succeed.
Tuition Waiver
- Up to 6 graduate credits waived per semester
- Up to 12 graduate credits waived per academic year (if renewed)
Stipend
- $2,500 per semester
- $5,000 total stipend per academic year (if renewed)
Time Commitment
- Approximately 10–20 hours per week (varies by position)
- Specific responsibilities are determined by the hiring department
Renewal
- Performance is evaluated at the end of each semester
- Renewal for spring is based on satisfactory performance
- Students must reapply each academic year
How to Apply
Fall 2026 Application Dates
- Applications open: March 24, 2026
- Priority deadline: April 6, 2026
- Final deadline: August 1, 2026
To be eligible, you must:
- Be admitted to a Minnesota State Moorhead graduate program
- Begin graduate coursework by Fall 2026
Application Steps
- Apply and gain admission to a Moorhead graduate program
- Review our blog: How to Get Into Graduate School
- Update your resume and cover letter
- Complete the Graduate Assistantship Application
Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis. Early submission is encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about graduate assistantships, including eligibility, application requirements, financial benefits, and work expectations.
Jump to a topic: Eligibility | Applying | Financial Benefits | Work Expectations | Maintaining Your Assistantship
Financial Benefits
Selected assistants receive a tuition waiver for up to 6 credits per semester (excluding summer) plus a stipend of $2,500 per semester (excluding summer).
No. The stipend and tuition waiver cannot be stacked with other funding offers.
Please consult with the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid to discuss with the team how accepting this will impact your financial aid package.
Yes. The stipend is taxable since it is considered income.
Yes. All campus services and resources are available to all students regardless of their tuition funding.
No. You must use your waiver during the semester when you begin working as a graduate assistant.
Eligibility
Any graduate student who fulfills the requirements below:
- Admitted to a graduate degree program
- Enrolled in at least 6 credits
- Active or newly admitted graduate student
- In good academic standing
Yes. International students may apply.
To be eligible for the GA program, filling out the FAFSA is a requirement.
Yes. Depending on the needs of the instructor, they may have work that can be done remotely. You will indicate your program’s delivery mode in the application.
Applying for an Assistantship
Please read the detailed instructions and complete the Graduate Student Application Form.
The application opens on March 23. The priority deadline to apply is April 6. Assistantships will be distributed based on available funding. We encourage early application.
Your application must include a resume and undergraduate (unofficial) transcript. No application will be considered without these documents.
Yes. Every department will conduct interviews with candidates to gauge potential alignment with the student’s experience, interests, and tasks related to specific undergraduate courses.
Faculty will select graduate assistants based on a combination of their experience and ability to meet the needs of the department and courses.
Work Expectations
Graduate assistants for large class sections will be expected to assist with the following tasks:
- Grading assignments
- Managing discussion boards
- Proctoring exams
- Supporting students' questions
- Tutoring students who seek added support
- Other support duties assigned by the course instructor
The estimated time commitment is 20 hours per week.
There is a limit of 20 hours per week during the school year.
Maintaining Your Assistantship
Yes, but eligibility will be reviewed at the end of every term.
Since class enrollment is a requirement for eligibility, you are no longer eligible for graduate assistantships if your credit registration falls below 6 credits.
If you take a leave of absence, you are no longer eligible to be a graduate assistant and need to reapply upon returning to school.
You need to reapply upon returning to school.
The last day of classes is your last day of duties.