Financial Aid & Graduate Assistantships 

Welcome Graduate Assistants and Fellows!

The Financial Aid memorandum below will serve as a helpful reference guide during the entire academic year. Graduate assistantships begin on July 31^st, 2011 on University payroll, although assistantship assignments may not yet be issued.  GA assignments are coordinated by Dean Powers (wpowers@umd.edu) through the start of the semester.

In order to receive the first paycheck issued August 19, all paperwork must be received by July 30 and no later than August 6. 

There is a lot of information to digest so please read and follow the directions carefully in order to activate your awards in a timely manner. Questions may be posted to me via email regarding paperwork submissions prior to your arrival.  I will be available for appointments to discuss awards during July and August prior to the start of the Fall 2011 semester.

See you soon!

Eugina Becton
2115 Van Munching Hall
ebecton@umd.edu

Finance Memo

• Download the Memo

• Assistantship Assignments

• Assistantship Start Dates

• Tax Documents

• Hours and Timesheet Requirements

• Benefits

Important Forms and Documents

• Tuition Sheet

• Citizenship Status Form

• Instruction and Worksheet for MD Residents

• W-4: MD Residents (and all other states)

• W-4: DC Residents

• W-9: Permanent Residents/EAC/Green Card Holders

• W-9 Attachment Tax Treaty for Permanent Residents/EAC/Green Card Holders

• Direct Deposit Authorization

• Timesheet (Fall)

• Timesheet (Spring)

• Payroll Schedule

• W-8BEN: Tax Treaty for Fellows

• 8233: Tax Treaty for Graduate Assistants

• I-9: INS Employment Eligibility Verification

• Benefits Booklet

• Benefits Rate Chart

• Benefits Enrollment Form

Assistantship Assignments

General graduate assistantships may be awarded without an initial assignment.  Dean Powers will contact GAs in early July with information about the assignment process.  Most assignments are not finalized until near the start of the semester and are worked around students’ course schedules.

Assistantship Start Date

Graduate assistants officially become University employees on July 31st, 2011, and may receive the first paycheck prior to actually working. The start date of work will depend on specific assignments.  Generally, students will not be required to work until the first day of classes, but may begin as early as July 31st with supervisory consent.

Tax Documents

To receive the first paycheck issued on August 19, completed paperwork must be received by August 5.  Submitting forms after the August 5 deadline may result in a delay of the initial paycheck(s).  First-time GAs and international students must meet with me in person with identification. Returning GAs who are U.S. residents, and previously provided forms to me, may submit paperwork via mail. Only original forms (no copies or faxes) completed in black ink will be accepted.  Forms are available to download at the website:

http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/current/financialaid

United States Residents

Graduate Assistantship: Provide a W4 (MD or other states resident/DC resident), I9 and direct deposit form, plus benefits enrollment forms if desired.

Fellowship: No paperwork is necessary, but email lguay@umd.edu with concerns.

International Students (Please contact my email, lguay@umd.edu to arrange an appointment required for submissions of international paperwork.)

Graduate Assistantship: Provide a W4 (MD or other states resident/DC resident), Citizenship Status Form, 8233 (tax treaty form if applicable) I9 and direct deposit form, plus benefits forms if desired. Resident aliens for tax purposes (RAFTP) will provide a W9, and the W9 attachment if a tax treaty applies. Additionally, a I20, I94, visa and SSN card (with the envelope in which it was mailed) should be provided. Office of International Services (OIS) will conduct orientations to aid in the application for a permanent social security card.

Fellowship: Provide the same documents requested for a Graduate Assistantship. Fellows will provide a W8BEN (if tax treaty applies), or an 8233 tax treaty form if a fellowship and GA are awarded.  Two sets of forms are necessary if awarded both a fellowship and GA.

Hour and Timesheet Requirements

A student with a full Graduate Assistantship must work a total of 340 hours each semester, which averages out to just over 20 hours per week if your assignment directly parallels the semester. A half Graduate Assistantship requires a total of 170 hours each semester, which averages out to just over 10 hours per week.  GAs will submit timesheets signed by their supervisors to me on a bi-weekly basis.  Blank timesheets are available outside Van Munching 2113C and at the website mentioned above.  The School of Public Policy reserves the right to terminate payment if a cumulative time record does not satisfy the stated commitment of hours.

Benefits

GAs may enroll in the State health benefits program with bi-weekly paycheck premium deductions. Plans (excluding retirement) are selected from the 2011-2012 Benefits Booklet and the 2011-2012 Enrollment Form is submitted together with all other paperwork.  It normally takes at least 4 weeks for the benefits forms to process and to become effective.  Retroactive coverage back to July 31st is possible by paying for any missed premiums.