Compensation and eligibility

Graduate assistants earn compensation as salaried, non-exempt employees for the performance of administrative services that benefit Messiah University and partner institutions and also serve as part of the student's academic and professional development. The service performed must be related to the student's academic program in order to qualify for an assistantship appointment.

Graduate assistants must maintain full-time registered, degree-seeking status (6 credits per semester, 18 per calendar year) and good academic standing (3.0 GPA) for the duration of the graduate assistant appointment. Graduate assistants work approximately 20 hours per week during their appointment and no more than 800 hours per calendar year. The positions are two-year appointments (August to May each year). Graduate Assistant compensation on the Messiah campus for 2025-2026 was $14,400 for the year (equivalent to current tuition). Graduate Assistants are eligible for reduced on- campus apartment housing (when available), a discounted employee meal plan, and discounted tuition. Compensation at partner institutions is specified in the job description or available upon request. For all graduate assistantships, all stipends are considered taxable income. The graduate assistant must be eligible to work in the United States; eligibility is confirmed via the I-9 Form. Graduate assistants may be employed for a limited number of hours on campus, with prior approval, during the period of the graduate assistantship. Additionally, graduate assistants may not hold full time employment.