Assistantships
Purdue University offers graduate assistantships that provide financial support, valuable experience, and skill development in exchange for part-time work with a department or unit that supports the university’s academic mission. All graduate assistants are considered employees of Purdue University, and more than 60% of Purdue graduate students hold an assistantship during their program.
There are three primary classifications of assistantships:
- Teaching Assistantships: Support the instruction of students through teaching courses, labs, recitations, or assisting faculty with teaching duties.
- Research Assistantships: Perform research duties to support faculty-led research projects and programs.
- Professional Assistantships: Carry out administrative or professional duties, often in offices such as Libraries, Student Affairs, Athletics, ITaP, or academic departments.
Benefits
- Salary
- Tuition coverage
- Students with an appointment of at least 0.50 FTE are also eligible for the university-subsidized Graduate Staff Health Plan and may be eligible for additional benefits, such as paid vacation and holidays, sick and family leave, and additional optional insurance benefits.
Hiring and Appointments
Assistantship positions are managed at the department or unit level. Students should contact their graduate coordinator for information about available opportunities and appointment details.
Resources
The resources below provide additional information about assistantship benefits, eligibility, employment policies, and tax implications.
Graduate Staff Employment Manual
Comprehensive information about policies and guidelines, payroll procedures, and employee benefits for graduate staff.
Graduate Program Contacts
Your department’s graduate coordinator is your first point of contact for questions about assistantships or employment. Find program contacts for all Purdue West Lafayette graduate programs.
Graduate Staff Medical Insurance
More information about graduate staff medical insurance and enrollment guidance are available through Human Resources.
More in Funding & Fellowships
Explore the pages below to discover additional funding opportunities and resources.
Contact Information
Fellowships Main Office
Address: Young Hall, Room 170. 155 Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-21147
Phone number: (765) 494-2600
Email addresses:
- For questions regarding applying for external fellowships: trainee-funding@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding OGSPS fellowships or managing awarded fellowships: fellowships@purdue.edu
- For questions regarding assistantships: gradfunding@purdue.edu