FAQ's

Q:  How do the Graduate Assistants receive their stipend:

A:  All graduate assistants are paid via a bi-weekly paycheck beginning two weeks after their start-dates and ending a week after their end-dates.

Q:  What is the difference in a CSAL designated extended contract and an academic year contract? 

A:  A CSAL designated extended contract begins in August and runs through May. An academic year contract starts when the Fall semester begins and ends when the Winter semester ends.

Q:  Is there a difference in the amount of a housing graduate assistantship stipend and a non housing graduate assistantship?

A:  Yes, the housing graduate assistants receive $6,000, an apartment, and a meal plan. Non housing graduate assistants receive $9,000.

Q:  If I accept a graduate assistantship in housing, am I required to live in on campus housing?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Must I apply and be admitted to the GVSU Graduate College of Education before applying for a CSAL contract assistantship?

A:  Candidates can apply for an assistantship before gaining admission to the College of Education. Admission to the College of Education is necessary to be formally offered a CSAL assistantship. 

Q:  Where can I find information about assistantships outside of the CSAL prgram?

A:  The Office of Graduate Studies lists open academic-year assistantship positions as they become available.  These openings are found here. The Student Employment website also lists available assistantships. The website can be found by visiting www.myinterfase.com/gvsu/student/.