Three main forms of financial support for graduate students are:

• Fellowships for PhD students
• Teaching Assistantships (TAships)
• Research Assistantships (GSR appointments)

 

1. Fellowships

PhD fellowships are awarded to students to free them from the need for employment. Most PhD students receive some fellowship during the first year as part of their admission package, with the fellowship period varying between one and three quarters, depending on the availability of funds. These fellowships provide a stipend and cover the tuition and all fees. To be eligible, students need to maintain full time status and have sufficiently high GPA (typically at least 3.5). Any change in the student's status (e.g., program or degree objective) may also impact their eligibility.

The campus also provides a certain number of fellowships for PhD students who are near the completion of their dissertation. These are very competitive. The students who meet eligibility criteria can be nominated by their advisors. This is typically followed by a selection process within the department, who them nominates the top candidates for the campus-wide competition.

In addition, the CSE department may have fellowships available funded from external source, including GAANN Fellowships, Cota-Robles Awards, and other.

 

2. Teaching Assistantships

Duties and workload. Generally, the job of a Teaching Assistant (TA) involves helping the instructor of a specific course with various teaching-related duties.  Typically, the TAs are expected to teach a particular lab or discussion section for the course. They may also be requested to help with preparing course materials, grading, or other related tasks. The exact duties for the assigned course are spelled out in the TA contract for the specific course.  The TAs report directly to the supervising instructor.

The overall workload of a TA depends on the percentage of appointment. TAs are typically employed at 50% appointment, that translates to an average of 20 hours of work per week, although the workload may vary from week to week. In some cases, the department may employ some TAs at lower percentage, usually 25%, with the expected workload proportionally reduced. When signing the contract, the instructor and the TA must ensure that the specified duties are consistent with the percentage of appointment. If the workload turns out to be excessive during during the quarter, the TA needs to bring this to the attention of the instructor.

TA training. All TAs are expected to participate in  appropriate TA training. This training has several forms:

• TA orientation: Attendance at this orientation is required. All TAs must attend this orientation before the end of the 5th week of the first quarter at UCR. This  orientation is conducted by the TADP program (Teaching Assistant Development Program) in the Graduate Division.
• TADP workshops: TADP offers additional workshops that focus on specific aspects of instruction. All TAs are encouraged to attend these workshops, and the CSE Department may require under-performing TAs to attend.
• CS 302, "Apprentice Teaching": This class is required for all TAs every quarter. This course provides a place for TAs to receive advice, support, with focus on issues specific to CS courses. It also gives the TAs an opportunity to meet with other TAs each quarter. (In cases of scheduling conflicts, the TAs need to contact the instructor and the Graduate Program Coordinator, to determine  an alternative activity.)

Each quarter, all graduate students have an opportunity to apply for TAship positions. The number of TA openings is limited, so these appointments are quite competitive. The selection of TAs is made  based on the applicants' academic preparation, status in the program (PhD students are generally given higher priority) and  the recommendations from course instructors.

English proficiency. To be eligible to TA, students whose native language is not English must demonstrate their English language proficiency. This requirement can be met either by obtaining a sufficiently high score on any of the standardized English language tests (TOEFL, IELTS, Versant) or by passing the SPEAK administered by the UCR Extension Center. The English-test requirement may be waived for international students with a degree from an institution with English-only instruction. Please see the TADP webpage for detailed regulations on language proficiency.

 

3. Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs)

Duties. A Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) position is also often referred to as a research assistantship. GSR appointments are normally funded by the student's faculty advisor from his/her research funds, who also functions as the GSR's supervisor. The duties of a GSR are determined by the faculty advisor, and typically involve work on the faculty's research projects. Each quarter, these duties need to be specified in writing in the GSR contract. During the academic year, the  GSR appointment level varies between 25% and 50%. In the summer, appointments up to 100% are allowed.

 

4. Other Regulations for TAs and GSRs

All recipients of campus employment, as TA or GSR, must make acceptable progress towards their degree. In particular:

• Must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Must enroll in and complete a full course load (12 graduate units or the equivalent).
• Must have no more than 7 units of incomplete grades.
• PhD students must meet all degree milestones within specified deadlines.

During the academic year, a student's total employment percentage is limited to 50%. In the summer, 100% employment is allowed. The total length of TA service cannot exceed 12 quarters.

International students may apply for a social security card when they become employed as a GSR or TA.

For more information about graduate student employment, please refer to the Graduate Division webpage.

 

5. Other Employment Opportunities

Student Assistant Positions.  In certain situations, students can be employed by faculty members as student assistants. These are hourly paid appointments that do not cover any fees nor any benefits. Student assistant positions are occasionally used to employ incoming students during the summer before the beginning of their first quarter. They can also be used to employ continuing graduate students who are on the filing fee status. Students interested in such opportunities should discuss this with their research advisor.

Readers (Graders). These are hourly paid jobs, with duties typically consisting of grading students' work: homework assignments or tests. The CSE Department has a number of reader positions available each quarter. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply. 

 

6. Internships

Many graduate students find internship opportunities during their study, either during the summer or during the academic year. Students participating in an internship during an academic year (either full or part-time) must enroll in CS 298I under their advisor. International students who wish to complete an internship at any point during the year must also complete a CPT application. International students on summer internships are expected to be enrolled in one unit of CS 298I during the summer. This is done through UCR Summer Sessions Office and students must pay the one-unit summer fee prior to registering in the course.

 

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7. Payroll Information

Fellowship Stipends and Tuition/Fee Payments. Stipend payments are disbursed quarterly. You may authorize a direct deposit to the bank of your choice, or checks will be mailed to your billing address. Please be advised that if you elect to have your paycheck mailed, it will be mailed on the first of the month (if the first falls on a weekend, checks will be mailed on the following Monday). For those using direct deposit, the deposit is made no later than the first day of the month.

If your fees are paid by the fellowship, a credit for this will be posted to your student statement upon your enrollment in 12 units. For each quarter, you must be enrolled prior to the start of the quarter, or you will be charged a late fee.

GSR or TA Salaries and Tuition/Fee Payments. TAs and GSRs are paid through the payroll system. If your appointment began October 1, you will be paid on November 1. You may authorize a direct deposit to the bank of your choice. For those using direct deposit, the money should be in your account no later than the first day of the month. Your fees are paid for an appointment of 25% or more, and a credit for this will be posted to your student statement upon your enrollment in 12 units. Please note that you will be separated from payroll if you have a period of unemployment for 1 quarter and will have to complete new employment paperwork.

Tax Information. Taxes are automatically deducted from a TA or GSR check. Fellowship funds are not immediately taxed and all students receiving fellowships will be responsible for reporting their incomes appropriately. Please note that you will most likely need to pay a balance to the government for your fellowship taxes at the end of the year (since it is not taken out of your check). International students are responsible for reporting their information in the tax compliance system “Glacier” and are responsible for applicable state and federal taxes; this must be done within 10 days of a payroll assignment or the tax rate will be assigned at the default 30% rate. If you have your I-20 available to reference, the online completion process will be much simpler. Please visit the Accounting website for complete Glacier information.

For more information, see:

• Policies and Regulations Governing Graduate Student Employment: see the Graduate Division website.
• Information on direct deposit, payroll, taxes, and more: see Student Business Services Office.
• Tax information: Accounting Office and Glacier Tax Compliance System.
• Employment Processing: CSE Department Human Resources Analyst.