Council of Graduate Schools Resolution

Clemson is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools and adheres to the following Resolution (for a copy of the entire resolution click here):

“Acceptance of an offer of financial support such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor.  In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.  Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution.  In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15.  However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made.  Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.  It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of the Resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.”  Council of Graduate Schools.  Renewed September 2004.

Deferred payments, graduate assistants

Policy:  Upon verification by the Graduate School that a student has received an appointment as a graduate assistant, and with the authorization by the student of a payroll deduction for payment, deferred payment of tuition, health fees and insurance may be granted to a student employed as a graduate assistant.  The total amount deferred shall not exceed the total of the graduate assistant fees for the semester.  Payment of the amount deferred is to be made in six equal installments through payroll deductions beginning with the second pay period of the semester.  Should the assistantship be terminated, any unpaid balance of funds deferred is payable immediately as well as any additional fees due.  No deferred payments are permitted for summer sessions for any graduate student.

Procedure for student:  Graduate assistants interested in participating in the deferred payment option must access the website for University Revenue and Receivables (www.clemson.edu/receivables).  Click on “Student Accounts Receivable,” and then select “Grad Assistant Payroll Deduction Form” to access the necessary form.  This form must then be printed, completed and delivered to the Bursar’s Office, G-08 Sikes Hall.

Deferred payments, special cases

 In special cases, the University will accept, at the beginning of a semester, a noninterest-bearing promissory note for a portion of the semester housing and semester meal plan fee.  Amounts up to $750 for room rent and $750 for meal plans may be included in the note.  In such cases, a note for the fall semester charges will be due October 1, and for the spring semester, March 1.  Failure to pay the note when due may result in the assessment of late fees, including collection costs, and denial of future deferred payment note privileges.  In the event of non-payment, the University may disclose the information to credit bureau organizations.

Procedure for student:  To secure approval for a deferred payment note to include housing and meal plans, students must reference the deferred payment note option in the Student Information System.  The form can be found by going to University Revenue and Receivables and clicking on “Deferred Payment” and then “Deferred Payment Form”.  Instructions are on the form.

Fees for graduate students, dining services

The University provides a variety of meal plans to meet student needs.   The meal plan dining halls, Harcombe, Schilletter, and the Clemson House, feature an unlimited seconds policy. Meals may also be purchased on a cash basis or using a Tiger Stripe or Paw Points account.  Meal plans become effective when University housing is opened for occupancy at the beginning of each semester and expire after the evening meal on the day of graduation at the end of each semester.  Harcombe is open year round; Schilletter and the Clemson House are closed in the summer.  Meal plans are not effective during official University breaks; however, one of the meal plan dining halls will remain open on a cash basis. The Eastside Food Court, Einstein Brothers Bagels, the Canteen, Java City Cyber Café, Loggia Latte, and Fernow Street Café provide a wide assortment of dining selections on an a la carte basis.  Nationally branded food concepts are available in cash dining facilities on campus:  Burger King and Li’l Dino Subs are in the Eastside Food Court; Chick-fil-A and Starbucks are at the Union, which houses the Canteen, Loggia Latte and Chilli’s Too.  Pizza Hut Express is in the Fernow Street Café.  All retail dining facilities accept cash and credit/debit cards, as well as Tiger Stripe and Paw Point accounts.

Meal plans are purchased per term (Spring, Fall, Maymester, Summer Session I, and Summer Session II).  Graduate students may pay for individual meals or choose a meal plan on a semester basis for the following:  Any Ten, Plus Any Ten, Any 15, Plus Any 15, Unlimited Access, or Plus Unlimited Access.  Students may change meal plans at the Tiger 1 Card Office in 104 Fike Recreation Center beginning on the third Monday of the fall and spring semesters up until the last six weeks of each semester by paying a $35 service charge.  All adjustments will be prorated.  Students may upgrade meal plans during the registration periods.  For more detailed information, access the dining services website at www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSSE/Clemson.

Fees for graduate students, Fike Recreation

Membership to Fike is included in the general fees and is billed automatically along with tuition for graduate students taking six or more credit hours.  The campus recreation fee is $35.  Students enrolled for less than six credits may purchase a part-time membership in Fike.  Students interested in purchasing part-time memberships should contact the Department of Campus Recreation, 206 Fike Recreation Center, P.O. Box 344015, Clemson, SC 29634, Tel: (864) 656-2315.

Fees for graduate students, mandatory health insurance

Policy:  Mandatory health insurance coverage is required of all graduate students enrolled on campus in nine or more hours.  Enrollment in the University plan, administered by Redfern Health Center, is required unless the student submits a waiver request.  Students covered by their parents’, spouse’s, or employee health insurance will, in general, find those policies sufficient to meet this condition but must submit a waiver request form nonetheless.  Students will be billed $544 (subject to change) for this insurance coverage along with their tuition.

All international graduate students and exchange visitors/scholars attending Clemson must purchase the University-sponsored health insurance for themselves, unless their insurance is provided as a part of their programs of study, in which case a waiver of this requirement is possible.  Programs include, but are not limited to, government or internationally-sponsored programs such as Fulbright, IIE, ISEP, Rotary International and LASPAU.  All insurance plans must provide coverage for the entire duration of the student’s study in the U.S.  International students will be billed $544 (subject to change) for this insurance coverage with their tuition.  This expense is included on the I-20 or DS-2019.  Internationals who bring dependents are encouraged to purchase dependent health insurance separately at Redfern Health Center upon arrival.

Procedure for student:  Graduate students, including degree-seeking international students, are billed automatically for health insurance unless during the registration process a waiver is requested and approved.  To request a waiver, the student should access www.studentinsurance.com.  From the drop down menu, select ”Clemson University” and then select the option to “waive.”  Once the form is submitted on-line, the student will receive an e-mail message that the request to waive insurance has been received.  If the waiver is granted, the insurance company (Pearce and Pearce) will send that information to Student Accounts and the cost of medical insurance will be removed from the student’s account.  The student will receive an e-mail message indicating the decision on their request for a waiver.

International non-degree seeking and exchange students at Clemson for short durations must present their immunization records, either on-line at http://stuaff.Clemson.edu/Redfern/content/policy.php or directly to Redfern upon arrival, at which time alternate insurance can be documented and a waiver requested.

Fees for graduate students, Redfern facility use

University policy requires all students to pay the University health facility fee if they are registered for seven or more credit hours during the academic year or three or more credit hours during the summer.  This fee, $131 per semester and $45.00 per summer session (subject to change), is used to support the services provided by Redfern Health Center.  Maymester fee is included in the spring semester charge.  See http://stuaff.Clemson.edu/Redfern/content/policy.php for information on services provided by Redfern Health Center.

Fees for graduate students, University housing

New Students.  Students who are offered University housing accommodations must pay a nonrefundable $50 housing application fee.

Currently enrolled graduate students.  Currently enrolled students who expect to continue enrollment may make housing reservations by preregistering on-line during the spring semester at a time designated by the Housing Office.  There is a $50 nonrefundable housing application fee.

For current fees for University housing, see www.clemson.edu/receivables.

Fellowships, deadlines

Deadlines for fellowship applications vary.  Typically prominent external fellowship applications are due in the months of October through January.  There are four deadlines for nominations for fellowships administered by the Graduate School:  January 5, February 1 and March 1 for fall semester admissions, and October 1 for spring semester admissions.

Fellowships, general information

Fellowships are monetary awards that require no service or work from the student.  Fellowships may be institutionally awarded (through the Graduate School or through one of Clemson’s graduate programs) or they may be externally awarded and portable to Clemson University.  Fellowships are awarded by government agencies (federal, state, local), private foundations, industries, professional groups, and others.  The Graduate School at Clemson maintains a searchable fellowship database on its website (www.grad.clemson.edu/fellowships.php) that includes information about approximately 200 prominent external fellowships.

Typically fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic and scholarly merit.  For Clemson University fellowships, students are nominated for consideration by faculty.  For a monetary award to be designated a fellowship, it must provide the recipient a minimum of $1,000 for the academic year.  Clemson University has a number of internal fellowships that are administered by the Graduate School (see section, Fellowships, types administered by the Graduate School) or by individual Clemson departments, colleges or programs (see applicable program websites or talk with graduate program coordinators).  Most internal fellowship award decisions are made by the Fellowships and Awards Committee, which is comprised of a faculty representative from each of Clemson’s five colleges.

The individual colleges and academic departments administer some fellowships. Some awards, such as the Industrial Graduate Residency Fellowships, may limit students’ research to areas of interest to the donor and require a period of residency at the industrial sites.  Fellowships are usually offered in early February or March.  Except for students enrolled in the Master of Real Estate Development and Master of Science in Historic Preservation programs, graduate fellows and trainees pay fees applicable to South Carolina residents.  Unless otherwise stipulated by the grantor and/or donor, holders of fellowships or traineeships are required to enroll in the same minimum credit load as other departmental graduate assistants. 

Normally a student cannot hold concurrently two or more fellowships or traineeships (or the equivalent) administered by the University, regardless of the funding sources.   Fellowship recipients are eligible for appointment as departmental graduate assistants.  For students simultaneously holding fellowships or traineeships and assistantships, the fee structure for assistantships prevails. Detailed information is available from the colleges or academic departments.

Continued receipt of any fellowship or traineeship is contingent on the student’s maintaining a satisfactory academic status.  Fellowships may be withdrawn at any time for failure to maintain a satisfactory academic status including, but not limited to, grades, special examinations and research efforts.

Fellowships, tax liability

A fellowship payment in excess of actual educational costs is subject to federal and state taxes.   Some fellowships, such as the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, have two components – a stipend and a cost of education allowance.  Please consult the fellowship sponsor for details on tax liability.

Fellowships, types administered by the Graduate School

The Graduate School and the Office of Financial Aid administer several fellowships.  The funding sources for Recruitment and Distinguished Achievement Fellowships are the R.C. Edward Fund ($65,000 annually), the Graduate Alumni Fund ($60,000 annually), the MacDonald Fund ($30,000 annually) and the Graduate Dean’s Fund ($300,000 for the 2008-09 academic year).  Nomination forms for fellowships administered by the Graduate School and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) are on the Graduate School’s website at http://www.grad.clemson.edu/fellowships.php (Graduate Dean’s Recruitment and Performance Fellowships; Frequently Asked Questions.)

• The Distinguished Achievement Fellowship.  This award provides a one-year stipend to current graduate students who have achieved certain academic milestones and exhibited the potential to excel academically and professionally.  Students must be nominated by a Clemson faculty member.  Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000.

 

• The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant and Researcher Awards.  These awards are given annually to graduate teaching assistants and graduate student researchers nominated by their colleges.  Each college is entitled to nominate two teaching assistants and two graduate researchers based on their academic and teaching or research performance.  The distinction includes a plaque and a monetary award up to $1,500.  Awards are determined by the Fellowships and Awards Committee.  Nominations for these awards are usually announced in February and the awards are typically made in April.  The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award is funded by the Clemson University Board of Visitors.  The Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award is funded by the Clemson University Research Foundation.
• The Recruitment Fellowship. This one-year stipend is awarded to outstanding incoming students as recommended by faculty.  It is awarded based on the student’s academic record (GPA and GRE/GMAT) and perceived potential contributions.  It is not available for currently enrolled graduate students.  This award provides $5,000 to incoming master’s students and $10,000 to doctoral students.  A Clemson faculty member must nominate a student for consideration for one of these awards.  
• The South Carolina Graduate Incentive Fellowships.  These awards, administered by the Graduate School, the Office of Access and Equity and the Office of Financial Aid are available to increase the diversity of the graduate student body, with a current emphasis on recruiting doctoral students.  Master’s students must be citizens of South Carolina.  Preference is given to new applicants who have been recruited by the University and those who express a commitment to be employed in the state for two years following graduation.  These fellowships may provide up to $5000 for master’s students and up to $10,000 for doctoral students.  Based on the availability of funds and the student’s satisfactory academic performance, the fellowship may be renewed.

Financial information, general

Financial assistance to graduate students is awarded in the form of assistantships, fellowships, traineeships or loans.  Approximately 140 outstanding graduate students hold fellowships or traineeships, and 1800 students are appointed as graduate teaching, research, laboratory or administrative assistants or graders.  In addition, students may seek on-campus or off-campus employment.  For specific information, see also the individual categories of financial assistance:  graduate assistantships, fellowships and traineeships, loans or hourly employment.
The annual State Appropriation Act imposes the general requirement that student fees be fixed by the University Board of Trustees.  The Act imposes two specific requirements on the Board:  (1) In fixing fees applicable to academic and general maintenance and operation costs, the Board must maintain a minimum student fee not less than the fee charged the previous year.   (2) In fixing fees applicable to residence hall rental, dining halls, laundry, infirmary, and all other personal subsistence expenses, the Board must charge students an amount sufficient to fully cover the cost of providing such facilities and services.

Graduate assistantships, appointment process

Graduate assistantships are the purview of individual academic and/or administrative units.  Appointments are made by those employing units and students must apply directly to the employing unit.  The employing unit shall provide a brief description of the expectations of the employee, the anticipated beginning and ending dates, stipend amount, average hours of service per week, the work schedule (where appropriate), and the conditions for reappointment, if any.  In addition, the assistant must be apprised of the financial penalties related to academic fees that may be incurred if the assistantship starts after the beginning or is terminated before the end of the semester or session.
Procedure for student:  A student interested in employment as a graduate assistant should make direct contact with the department, college or unit of interest.  Each hiring unit may have deadlines for applying for positions and/or specific requirements for employment.  Students may also consult the Michelin Career Center Services website at www.michelincareercenter.edu for additional postings and available on-campus opportunities.
Procedure for department:  Departments hiring graduate students as assistants should specify the details of the employment offer in writing.  The Graduate School requires use of the graduate assistant contract located in the Program Coordinators’ toolbox on the Graduate School website (www.grad.clemson.edu/grad_coordinators/toolbox.htm#finaid) to ensure all required information is communicated to each student who is offered employment.  Please ensure that a copy of the CGS resolution is sent to each assistantship appointee and include a cover letter on department letterhead.

Graduate assistantships, eligibility

To qualify for a departmental assistantship, a student must possess at least a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a graduate degree program. To be eligible for any graduate appointment, a graduate student must satisfy the appropriate minimum graduate level enrollment requirement of nine credit hours during each semester and three credit hours in each summer session. Only in cases where students are required through the curriculum of their programs or requirements of their advisory committees to enroll in an undergraduate course will undergraduate credits satisfy this enrollment requirement. 

The Graduate School reserves the right to withdraw an assistantship appointment at any time because of failure to meet these eligibility requirements.  Graduate students also should understand that an appointment may be withdrawn at any time for failure to maintain a satisfactory academic status including, but not limited to, grades, special examinations and research efforts.

Graduate assistantships, general

All full-time enrolled graduate students are eligible for consideration as graduate assistants.  All graduate assistants are granted partial remission of academic and other fees and enjoy certain other benefits provided for University staff such as athletic tickets at a reduced rate and no fees to audit classes or enroll in labs.  Graduate assistants pay a flat fee per semester or summer session.

All appointments for assistantships (teaching, research, laboratory, administrative, and grader) must be processed through the Graduate School.  Selection of assistantship recipients, notification of the appointment, duration and the stipend amount are the responsibilities of the employing department, however, all graduate administrative and graduate extension assistantships (new and continuing) must be approved by the Graduate School before they are offered to the students.  Work assignments for students should be specific and should reflect the relationship to the student’s academic program.  The work to be performed must be above the paraprofessional level.

Graduate assistantships, holiday leave (see also “Graduate assistantships, leave without pay”)

Duties for any graduate assistant expected to be accomplished over official University holidays must be agreed upon in writing by the student and the faculty advisor in charge of the assistantship appointment.  Graduate students with nine-month or 12-month graduate assistantship appointments work on the same calendar as faculty with nine-month or 12-month appointments, respectively. The student and the faculty advisor in charge of the research program should agree in writing upon duties over holiday periods for graduate research assistantship appointments.

Graduate assistantships, leave without pay (see also “Graduate assistantships, holiday leave”)

Graduate students with nine-month or 12-month graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) appointments work on the same calendar as faculty with nine-month or 12-month appointments, respectively.  Graduate teaching assistants may request up to four weeks of leave without pay per semester and one week of leave without pay per summer session for illness of a close family member, death in the immediate family, and personal illness or hardship.  Leave without pay must be requested verbally and in writing to the hiring department and approved prior to the student taking leave.  Leave without pay for students with graduate research assistantship (GRA) appointments, and duties required over official holiday periods, must be agreed upon in writing by the student and the faculty advisor in charge of the research program prior to the student taking leave.  If leave without pay is not approved by the administrator of the graduate assistantship, the graduate assistant may petition the Graduate School dean for approval.

Graduate assistantships, maternity/paternity leave

A graduate assistant (female or male) is eligible for up to six weeks of maternity/paternity leave without pay.  The request for maternity/paternity leave must be made to the department at least one month in advance, with notification provided by the department chair to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Graduate assistantships, maximum work hours

The student must devote 10-30 hours of service to the University per week during the spring and fall semesters and be engaged in employment that bears a recognizable relationship to his/her major field of study.  Multiple employment by the University (graduate appointment and/or hourly employment) is permitted; however, it is the responsibility of the secondary employer to receive permission of the primary employer and the Graduate School prior to assignment of any additional work and to ensure that the maximum work load of 30 hours per week (20 hours per week for F-1 visa holders) is not exceeded.  Graduate assistants cannot be regularly scheduled with more hours of work per week as part of their assistantship than the number of hours for which they are appointed.  Graduate assistants appointed as GTA’s, GTR’s and GLA’s will be expected to work during the exam period.  Graduate assistants holding nine-month appointments can only be scheduled to work during the period of the appointment and are entitled to the official University holidays and/or breaks accorded nine-month faculty.  Likewise, 12-month graduate assistants are entitled to the official University holidays accorded to 12-month administrative staff.  Upper limits on academic loads as related to hours of service per week are delineated in the Enrollment Limits Maximum Credit Hours Chart at www.grad.clemson.edu/enrollmentlimits/policies/gradregulations.php.

Graduate assistantships, minimum enrollment

A minimum enrollment in nine credit hours is required for appointment as a graduate assistant during the academic year.  Minimum enrollment in summer sessions is three semester hours per session. Only in cases where students are required through the curriculum of their programs or through requirements of their advisory committees to enroll in an undergraduate course will undergraduate credits satisfy this enrollment requirement.  In special cases, credits in GS 799 may be included in the minimum as approved in advance by the Graduate School.

Graduate assistantships, minimum stipends

The minimum graduate assistantship stipend must be commensurate with a rate 1.2 times the prevailing federal minimum wage.

Graduate assistantships, termination for academic deficiency

Policy:  An assistantship may be terminated for academic deficiency if a student drops below the minimum credit hours (nine per semester or three per summer session) or for failure to satisfactorily meet other academic requirements.  Graduate students must maintain satisfactory progress in all coursework, maintaining minimally a 3.0 grade point ratio in coursework and making adequate progress towards obtaining their degrees including progress with qualifying and comprehensive examinations and research.
Procedure for department:  Departments desiring to terminate a graduate student’s assistantship for academic deficiency should prepare a written notice of termination and provide the student with at least two weeks notice.  The department should notify the Graduate School of the termination.

Graduate assistantships, termination by student

Should a graduate student determine the need to terminate his/her assistantship appointment, he/she should consult with the assistantship supervisor as soon as possible, and if at all possible at least two weeks prior to termination, in order to ensure a smooth transition in hiring a replacement student.  Notice of termination, prepared by the student, should be both verbal and written.

Graduate assistantships, termination for cause

Policy:  If, in the opinion of the immediate supervisor of the assistantship, a student is not carrying out the duties of the assistantship satisfactorily, the assistantship may be terminated and the student held liable, calculated on a pro rata basis, for the reduction in academic fees assessed as a result of the assistantship.
Procedure for department:  The immediate supervisor should first discuss and attempt to resolve the problem with the student.  A record of this conversation should then be placed in the student’s departmental file by the supervisor and a copy provided to the student.  If the student’s performance remains unsatisfactory, a signed written warning from the department chair should be provided to the student in person or is sent to the student by certified or registered U.S. mail detailing the nature of the problem.  A copy of this letter should also be sent to the Dean of the Graduate School.  If the performance of the student remains unsatisfactory, the department chair should give the student a written notice of termination.  This letter of termination should be sent to the student by certified or registered U.S. mail specifying the date of termination and any requirements for vacating the position.  At least two weeks should elapse between the written warning and the notice of termination.  The Dean of the Graduate School should be notified of the termination.  The student has the right to file a grievance with the Graduate Student Academic Grievance Committee if he/she feels the termination was unfair or that this policy was improperly followed.  Notices of termination will be retained in the student’s file in accordance with state employment policies. If the student’s performance does improve, the record(s) are to be removed from the student’s file.

Graduate assistantships, termination for loss of research funding

Policy:  A sudden or unexpected loss of external funding may result in a termination of an assistantship.   The policy outlined in “Graduate assistantships, tuition policy” will be used to calculate any tuition and fees required of the graduate student.  With appropriate documentation, a department chair may request the Dean of the Graduate School for an exception to the policy.

Procedure for department: Letters of appointment to research assistantships must communicate to students that in the unlikely event unforeseen loss of research funding occurs, the assistantship is not committed beyond the University’s availability of funds.  Should notification be received by the University that research funding will be discontinued, departments must notify the affected graduate students as soon as possible but preferably within two weeks of notice of termination.  If departments do not provide adequate notification to the research assistant, the department will be responsible for two weeks of stipend support for the student.  Departments should make every effort to secure funding to enable affected students to continue throughout the current semester or term.  With appropriate documentation, a department chair may request the Dean of the Graduate School for an exception to the policy.

Graduate assistantships, termination financial liability

Once appointed, graduate students may choose to terminate an assistantship or may be terminated by the employing department.  In all cases, termination of assistantships has a financial consequence.  The Graduate Assistantship Tuition Policy governs the financial liability of the graduate student whose appointment was terminated, irrespective of the reason.  For more information, access the Graduate Assistant Tuition Chart at www.grad.clemson.edu/financial/fiscalpolicy.php.

Graduate assistantships, tuition policy

The University’s Board of Trustees approved a policy designed to standardize tuition and fee charges for graduate assistants.  This policy coincides with dates used by the University to refund fees.  Students who have been awarded a graduate assistantship or for whom an assistantship award is made, liability to the University is the graduate assistantship tuition and fee rate.  For assistantships added between drop/add and the last day to drop or withdraw without grades, the student’s liability to the University is 50% of total tuition and 100% of fees unless the funding is new money to the University.  After the last day to drop or withdraw without a final grade, students receive no graduate assistant benefit or refund of tuition and fees previously paid.  Access the Graduate Assistant Tuition Policy Chart at www.grad.clemson.edu/financial/fiscalpolicy.php.

Graduate assistantships, types

The various types of assistantship appointments are described below:

• Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA).  A limited number of Graduate Administrative Assistantships are available.  These students provide help to departments with various types of administrative duties.  Administrative units hiring graduate administrative assistants must form a partnership with an academic department or departments.  Signatures of the employing supervisor and the academic advisor are required on the GS2000 form.
• Graduate Extension Assistant (GEA).  Graduate Extension Assistants help in carrying out supervised extension services of the University.  Appointments are for 25-50% time.
• Graduate Grader (GGA).  Graduate Grader Assistants provide help to faculty in grading homework and quizzes.  Appointments are for 25-50% time.
• Graduate Laboratory Assistant (GLA).  Graduate Laboratory Assistants provide help in undergraduate laboratories but are not responsible for assigning grades.  Appointments are for 25-50% time.
• Graduate Resident Directors (RD).  Graduate Resident Directors are part-time employees on the program staff of the residence halls and are classified as Graduate Administrative Assistants.  Preference is given to those who have had successful undergraduate experience as residence hall assistants.  In general, 30 hours of service per week are required.  Compensation consists of a room or apartment, partial remission of academic and other fees, and approximately $4,375 per semester.
• Graduate Research Assistant (GRA).  Graduate Research Assistants conduct supervised research or assist with research funded from any source administered by the University.  Appointments are for 25-50% time.
• Graduate Teachers of Record (GTR). Graduate Teachers of Record teach undergraduate classes or laboratories and are responsible for assigning grades.  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) requires that all Graduate Teachers of Record (GTR) have “earned at least 18 graduate semester hours in their teaching discipline, be under the direct supervision of a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, receive regular in-service training and be evaluated regularly” (Section 4.8.4 of the SACS Criteria for Accreditation).  The department chair has the responsibility for determining that the 18-hour requirement is met either through coursework or with a memo containing documentation that the graduate assistant meets the requirement as an exception.  The Enrolled Student Services Office will certify that the 18-hour requirement has been met.  Appointments are for 25-50% time.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA).  Graduate Teaching Assistants teach undergraduate classes or laboratories under the supervision of a faculty member.  They are not responsible for assigning grades.  Appointments are for 25-50%.

Hourly employment

Employment on an hourly basis for a portion of a semester or session is possible in some departments.  The student must be enrolled in at least three credit hours per semester or in one credit hour per summer session in order to accept hourly employment with the exception of during their final semester.  During the final semester, all students, including international students, are required to be enrolled in minimally one credit hour in order to accept an hourly employment appointment.  Each student has a one-time “final” semester.

Hours of employment, maximum

Graduate students (exclusive of full-time University employees) who are enrolled in classes or research hours may not be employed by the University for more than 30 hours per week during fall and spring semester and 37.5 hours during the summer sessions, even in instances where graduate hourly employment and graduate assistantships are combined, with the exception of students working in the summer for auxiliary services, in which cases, the maximum hours per week that students may work is 40.0 hours.  No portion of hourly employment shall be used to qualify students for benefits afforded those on graduate assistantship appointments.  Graduate students who are not enrolled in any credits during the summer may work a total of 40.0 hours per week if they were enrolled in the spring term and will be returning in the fall.

International student employment, general

International graduate students are required to be in proper immigration status before any assistantship can be paid or attending benefits ensue.  Special employment regulations for international students are governed by the Code of Federal Regulations and the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Procedure for student:  To ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, detailed information about international student employment and procedures for applying are available in the Office of International Affairs, E-302 Martin Hall; (864) 656-3614.

International student employment, graduate assistantships

International graduate students who are interested in receiving any type of assistantship should submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) to Clemson University.  International students seeking graduate teaching assistantships, whose native language is not English and whose secondary education (and beyond) was not taught fully in English, are required, in addition, to pass the standardized exam, Test of Spoken English (TSE).  Specialists in English as a Second Language (ESL) administer this test at Clemson University.  Prospective international teaching assistants also undergo an interview during which faculty members in their respective departments evaluate them.  Some departments utilize videotaped oral presentations.  Successful scores on all English language tests, the interview, and the presentation (if required) are completed before the student can be approved as a teaching assistant.
Procedure for student:  To ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, detailed information about international student employment and procedures for applying are available in the Office of International Affairs, E-302 Martin Hall; (864) 656-3614.

International student employment, hourly off-campus

Permission for off-campus employment must first be requested through the international student advisors in the Office of International Affairs.  Off-campus employment generally is unavailable to international students during the first academic year and should not be considered as a means of financial support.  Students with F-1 visas may apply to the USCIS for limited off-campus work authorization after their first year of study.
Procedure for student:  To ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, detailed information about international student employment and procedures for applying are available in the Office of International Affairs, E-302 Martin Hall; (864) 656-3614.

International student employment, hourly on-campus

Nonacademic employment opportunities are available on-campus on a first-come basis.  Applications are made directly to the hiring source upon arrival on campus.
Procedure for student:  To ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations, detailed information about international student employment and procedures for applying are available in the Office of International Affairs, E-302 Martin Hall; (864) 656-3614.