James Madison University Assistantship Contract
The following conditions apply to all graduate assistantships at James Madison University. Failure to comply with the terms of this contract
will cause a delay in processing of stipend/tuition payments or may void contract. By signing this agreement, the student and the hiring area
agree that the student:
a. must be accepted (conditionally or unconditionally) into a graduate program and maintain good academic standing in the graduate
program (3.0 GPA or better);
b. must be enrolled as a degree-seeking, full-time student (nine graduate hours each semester, an underload no less than 6 graduate
hours during the program of study may be approved in certain situations), student is responsible for all undergraduate tuition and
any tuition beyond the terms of the contract. Tuition will be covered at the on-campus rate for the hours stated on the contract.
Charges for web-based courses which exceed the tuition costs included in the terms of the contract will be the responsibility
of the student. Student is responsible for tuition for courses dropped after the tuition refund deadline.
c. is aware that additional JMU employment must be approved by the program director or advisor, GA supervisor and TGS.*
d. must return any unused portion of the assistantship funds to the university should he/she graduate, withdraw or be unable to perform
his/her duties;
e. is aware that the assistantship stipend is exempt from unemployment compensation as specified in the Virginia Unemployment
Compensation Act;
f. will receive from the university a Wage and Salary Statement (IRS Form W-2) which will be forwarded to the student after the end
of the calendar year;
g. understands that acceptance of the assistantship constitutes an agreement which both the student and TGS expect to honor;
therefore, notification in writing must be provided by the student to TGS if the terms of the contract will not be fulfilled;
h. who matriculates in a program requiring a thesis, agrees that continuing employment is contingent upon satisfactory progress on
thesis research as determined by the student's adviser prior to and during the contract period; and
i. understands that an official final transcript with the baccalaureate degree must be received no later than the end of the initial
semester of the assistantship.
j. understands that the contract dates may vary from the actual dates the GA is expected to report to the assistantship department.
Actual expected work dates: ______ ____________________ (Not to include dates when the university is closed unless by mutual agreement.)
k. All students offered an assistantship should review the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars,
Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants. (http://www.jmu.edu/grad/_files/cgs-resolution.pdf )
l. If you are teaching as Instructor of Record as part of your GA/TA responsibilities, you authorize a copy of your official JMU
transcript to be forwarded to the hiring academic unit as a condition of employment.
The Student Employment position description form signed by the student must be submitted with each assistantship contract,
including rehires.
*Additional JMU Employment: Graduate students who receive a stipend from VA state funds are allowed to accept JMU employment
in addition to the 20 assistantship hours with permission from The Graduate School and the student’s program director or advisor and
assistantship supervisor. They should carefully consider the effect of additional employment on academic performance. Students cannot
be paid for work until it is approved. Under the Affordable Care Act, non-fulltime employees may work no more than 29 hours per week
on average (no more than 1500 hours annually). Additional employment should be approved prior to work completion. The student
should submit the signed Approval of Additional Employment form to The Graduate School before beginning additional work.
Attach the contract, position description, and copy of SS card to the ePAR. Mail hiring forms to Payroll.
Student Signature____________________________________________________Date_____________________
“I affirm that my residency status is accurate in the tuition section of this contract. I have read and agree to the terms of this contract.”
Department Signature_________________________________________________Date_____________________
Note: The Departmental signature above authorizes the expenditure and certifies that funds are available in accordance with Section 33 of the JMU Financial
Procedures Manual. Item “D” above requires a signature from the person with signatory authority, if not the same individual.
Dean_______________________________________________________________Date____________________
(if applicable)
TA Faculty Supervisor Signature_________________________________________Date____________________
(Use only for TA contracts)
Grants/Contracts Financial Services Director _______________________________Date___________________
(Required for grant contracts only)
Director Graduate Student Financial Support________________________________Date____________________
Student Employment Signature__________________________________________Date____________________
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