Graduate Funding

The Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers graduate assistantships to many of our MA students. Graduate assistantships come with stipends, partial tuition waivers, and health insurance. The assistantship program is designed to mentor students who show potential in their ability to balance their scholarship with the opportunity for employment in teaching undergraduate classes. Graduate Assistants typically assist faculty with teaching and may be first-semester students. 

Assistantships are awarded each semester on a competitive basis depending on the department’s enrollment status and financial means. Assistantships are a privilege and responsibility, not a right. Graduate Assistants (GAs) should approach their responsibilities with the same professionalism demanded in any employment situation.

Stipends

• First-year graduate assistants are generally awarded a .25 FTE (10 hours/week) assistantship.  The stipend for Fall 2024 for .25 FTE graduate assistants is $4,000/semester paid on a bi-weekly basis.
• Stipend amounts are reassessed annually.

Tuition Waivers

• The graduate assistant tuition waiver covers 80% of the in-state tuition rate. This is particularly advantageous for out-of-state and international students because an assistantship reduces the tuition rate to in-state costs.
• The remaining 20% of the tuition, plus fees, is the responsibility of the student. Graduate assistants also have a 9-week grace period to pay that balance.
• Complete details on cost of attendance are available through the USF Office of Admissions.

Health Insurance

• Graduate assistants are eligible for a subsidy for USF-sponsored health insurance. For the 22/23 academic year, the university covers 90% of the cost.  More details can be found on the Student Health Services website.

Apply for a WGS Graduate Assistantship

• To apply for a Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate assistantship, include a brief request in your statement of purpose.

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More Information about Graduate Assistantships

Additional information on graduate assistantships at USF are available at the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center. Collective bargaining information is available from the USF Graduate Assistant Union.

Other Sources of Funding

The Graduate School also offers a number of fellowships and scholarships. For additional information, please click here.

Of course, financial aid may be available to U.S. Residents. You will need to complete the FAFSA as you normally would for Federal financial aid consideration. You may also want to check out the USF Office of Financial Aid.