Assistantships, Employment & Scholarships
Visit ejobs.umd.edu to find a full list of available assistantships, as well as other student employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistantship
Benefits
Graduate Assistants (GAs) at the University of Maryland are eligible for up to 10 credits of tuition per semester, enrollment in the university health care programs, Credit Union membership, Faculty Club membership, priority housing in graduate apartments, use of certain facilities, and receive a financial stipend.
Stipends
All graduate assistants fall into one of three steps. Step I is for first-year graduate assistants only; Step II is for second-year assistants, as well as those students, new or continuing, holding a master’s degree; and Step III is for doctoral students officially advanced to candidacy. Graduate Assistants may work full (20 hr/wk) or half (10 hr/wk) time and are appointed for either a 12-month, 9.5-month, or 9-month period, after which their contracts may be reviewed for renewal if and when appropriate. Learn more about steps and stipends.
Tuition Remission
UMCP encourages and supports University faculty, staff and retirees, both on the College Park campus and within the University System of Maryland (USM), to make use of the opportunity to enroll in academic courses. Tuition remission benefits are also available for the spouse and dependents of regular status and retired faculty and staff members.
Health Insurance
Graduate Assistants on a full- or half-time appointment may enroll in the university employee health benefits program. The personnel coordinator in the student’s department should be able to provide appropriate forms. GAs must enroll within 60 days of their initial employment to be eligible for a health care program. GAs may enroll their spouses and children under this program. Any graduate student who is ineligible for the employee health care program may enroll in the student health insurance program offered by the University Health Center.
For more information, call the University Health Center Insurance Office at 301-314-8165 or visit UHR Benefits.
Time Away From Duty
Graduate Assistants working full-time on 12-month appointments may have time-away from their duties. A full time (20 hours per week), 12-month assistantship carries the expectation that the GA will be allowed ten workdays (40 hours) of collegially supported absence. This time away from duties must be taken during the current appointment. It may not be accumulated or transferred. It does not include time when the University is closed. Because colleagues must perform the GA’s responsibilities during an absence, reasonable notice and prior approval by the GA’s supervisor are required. Time-away from duty may be used for such purpose as the GA elects and is, therefore, distinct and separate from allowable absences for illness, maternity, or adoption. If a Graduate Assistant becomes ill, time away from duties should initially be supported collegially. Occasional, short-term absences on account of illness generally will not require the use of the allowable “time-away from duty” days.
Metrocheck
Graduate student GA's, TA's, RA's can potentially save hundreds of dollars a year from their Metrorail and Metrobus commuting costs by using a pre-tax payroll benefit called SmartBenefits. SmartBenefits allows up to $100 each month to be deducted pre-tax from a University paycheck. This $100 can be provided in the form of Metrocheks (paper Metro pass with a magnetic strip) or automatically credited each month to a reusable plastic SmarTrip Card.
Sign up for SmartBenefits and receive a SmarTrip card free of charge through the Department of Transportation Services. SmarTrip cards can also be purchased through various Metro locations including all stations that offer parking.
Note: All fees for parking at Metro stations must be paid using a SmarTrip card.
Fellowships
Explore the Graduate Innovation Fellowship Program.
Scholarships
See Scholarship Universe for external scholarship opportunities.
The University Career Center & The President's Promise offers numerous services and programs to benefit graduate students. Located in 3100 Hornbake Library (South Wing), the Career Center offers in-person career counseling and access to materials in the Resource Room in addition to information via an extensive listing of online resources. Explore academic and non-academic career options, get job search tips, link to valuable job-related Websites, practice interview skills and much more.
Other Resources
Academics
Course Registration
Offices
- The Graduate School
- Graduate Student Life (GSL)
- Graduate Student Legal Aid
- Graduate Student Government
Disability Services
Disability Support Services
The University of Maryland is committed to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefit of services, programs or activities at the University. The Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals to ensure equal access to services, programs and activities sponsored by the University of Maryland. Through the variety of services offered, ADS works to ensure that your accommodation, and accessibility needs are met. The ADS Office is staffed by dedicated professionals who are available to assist, consult, support, and advocate on behalf of individuals requesting disability services.
Learn about testing accommodations, reading accommodations, assistive learning devices, interpreting services, FM systems, priority registration, note-taking, and more on the Accessibility and Disability Service website.
Medical Parking Permits
Graduate students with a current parking permit and a medical condition may receive a Medical Parking Permit from the University's Department of Transportation Services (DOTS). A note from a doctor must be brought to the University Health Center. The Health Center will then provide documentation, which must be brought to the Transportation Office in Regents Drive Garage Building #202. The Transportation Services office will then give a pass to the student lot nearest the graduate student's office or lab on campus. The graduate student must already have a campus parking permit in order to get a medical parking pass.
Paratransit Service
The University of Maryland, Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) Shuttle-UM provides paratransit service, a curb-to-curb, on demand, and subscription service available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities. DOTS Shuttle-UM recognizes and services people with disabilities registered with the University Health Center (UHC). Private physicians can diagnose injuries but these diagnoses must be verified by the UHC. In addition, passengers must register with DOTS Shuttle-UM.
Family Services
Lactation Rooms On Campus
Recognizing the important physical and emotional benefits to children of breastfeeding and studies showing that working women tend to avoid or curtail breastfeeding once they return to work, the University of Maryland has created several locations on campus for nursing mothers to pump milk or breastfeed. The locations below are open to students, staff, faculty and visitors and have restricted access. For details and contact information on these locations, please download the Lactation Rooms at UMD Word Document. The UMD Campus Map also lists these locations.
- School of Public Health - Center for Health Families, Room 0142 (Ground floor): Located within the Center for Health Families in the School of Public Health, students can register to access this room by contacting Erin McClure (elmc@umd.edu)
- STAMP Student Union – Center for Campus Life, Room 2103 (Second Floor): Table, chairs, electrical outlet, sink, and Koala Care changing table. Request the key from the Information Desk in the main lobby near the Stamp front entrance.
- Edward St. John (ESJ) Learning and Teaching Center 0108 (Ground Floor): Located is in the old Holzapful wing, the room is located in the staff kitchen and features a lockable room off of the kitchen with an armchair and mini-fridge. This room requires UID card swipe access, please contact Cate Barger, ESJ Building Operations Manager, with your UID number to gain access: cbarger@umd.edu | 301.405.4702 | Office 0118
- The Ellicott Diner (The Diner), Inside Main Lobby: Comfortable seating, electrical outlet, sink, and refrigerator.Request the key from any cashier.
- McKeldin Library, Room 4235: Tables, chairs, electrical outlet, refrigerator, window with blinds, and artwork of women with babies. Please stop by the first floor Library Services Desk to sign out the key. Contact askmckcirc@umd.edu for more information.
- Clark School of Engineering, 1131 Martin Hall: Request use of this small conference room from staff. This space is on a first-come, first-served basis, or can be reserved using the online calendar.
- College of Education, 1216 Benjamin Building: The room is always open and is lockable from the inside, electrical outlets, table, and comfortable chair.
- Van Munching room 1522 B, Bldg 039: The room is always open and is lockable from the inside.
Changing Stations On Campus
- Stamp Student Union: Changing stations are available in both men's and women's bathrooms on the ground floor next to the Chevy Chase Bank.
- Campus Recreation Services: The CRS has a private family dressing room (includes changing station) and is located on the pool level next to the men's locker room.
- Benjamin Building: Stations are located in the Ground Floor Men's Restroom, 1st Floor Women's Restroom, Lactation Room (1216), and 4th Floor Gender-Neutral Restroom (4108)
- Van Munching Hall: The UMD Business School in Van Munching Hall has changing stations in both men's and women's bathrooms on the first floor of its new wing.
- Health Center: Changing stations available in both men's and women's bathrooms.
Finances
Income Tax Assistance
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation help to low- to moderate-income people. If your family earned $54,000 or less in 2018, you can receive FREE tax help and get your 2018 federal and state income tax returns done quickly through e-filing.
University of Maryland Extension hosts one free income tax preparation day in partnership with Community Action Agency Montgomery County, the IRS, Maryland CASH, and Internal Revenue Service.
For more information, contact Diana Yacob at dianakyu@umd.edu
International Students are encouraged to refer to ISSS' tax information section.
Residency Reclassification Services
Residency Reclassification Services handles students’ requests to be reclassified as in-state residents for tuition purposes. Students who were initially classified as out-of-state residents by Graduate Admissions, and subsequently believe they meet the requirements for in-state tuition and fees may apply for in-state residency.
To learn more about how to become a Maryland resident, visit the Registrar's Office website, call 301-314-9596 or email resclass@umd.edu.
Tuition & Fees
Graduate students pay a number of mandatory student fees that are not covered by tuition remission. These fees help support a number of services on campus such as Shuttle UM, Campus Recreation Center, Athletics, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. To see where that money goes, visit the Bursar's office website which includes information for the current academic year and for previous years.
Decisions to increase go through two major steps. First there is a campus committee that works with each of these service areas. These committees review any proposed fee changes before submitting recommendations to the Committee for the Review of Student Fees. There are graduate student seats at both levels that are filled through the Graduate Student Government.
Mental Health
Therapy Groups
Graduate Student General Therapy Group
- Tuesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Allison Asarch at aasarch@umd.edu)
- Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Erica Merson (she/her) at merson12@umd.edu)
Women's Graduate Student Support Group
- Thursdays from 2-3:30 p.m. (contact Dr. Pepper Phillips at pepper@umd.edu)
Trauma Therapy Group for Male-Identified Survivors
- Tuesdays at 3 p.m. (contact jsybenga@umd.edu if interested or have questions)
Meditation Sessions
Meditation practices at the University Health Center will explore a variety of meditative tools and techniques, all designed to cultivate self-compassion, mindful awareness, and the ease that can arise as you meditate.
Meditation is a dynamic, diverse, and deeply personal practice, so we invite you to explore the various styles of meditation being offered through the University Health Center to see which styles resonate with you!
Food Security