Assistantship Overview
Through the Jefferson Graduate Assistantship Program, the University awards a limited number of annual graduate assistantships to new applicants on the basis of exceptional scholastic achievement; outstanding professional promise; and competence for service in the departments of the University. The financial need of applicants may be an additional consideration.
The objectives of our Graduate Assistantship Program are to provide professional experiences that complement graduate instruction and research while contributing financial assistance to exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees at Thomas Jefferson University.
This assistantship program is designed to aid in the successful completion of the degree pursued and to enhance career opportunities through applied professional experiences. All graduate assistant duties are designed to foster student training and graduate learning experiences.
How to Apply
Graduate Assistantship positions are available to new Jefferson students in eligible programs for the Fall term only. Students eligible to apply to the assistanship program will receive an email with an application link and additional information. Contact your graduate admissions counselor at enroll@jefferson or 215-951-2800 with questions.
Compensation & Requirements
A student awarded a full graduate assistantship receives tuition remission up to $25,000 a year and a yearly stipend of $2,600, in return, a student works 14 hours per week. Prorated assistantships have jobs with commensurately fewer hours. For international student recipients, a student visa that permits on-campus work for compensation is required. Graduate assistants are students, and may not be employed under any other employment category by the University, such as adjunct faculty or part-time staff.
Graduate assistantships are initially awarded for one academic semester and are reviewed and renewed every semester. Graduate assistantships are not renewed automatically, unless specifically stated in writing. Appointments are for a maximum of four (4) semesters. When tuition remission is included in the graduate assistantship, it may impact a student's eligibility for federal financial assistance. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office regarding eligibility.
Application Eligibility
Graduate Assistantship positions are only available to new students who start at Jefferson in the Fall term. To be considered for a graduate assistantship, individuals must have submitted all University and program specific application materials by the application deadline, have a minimum 3.3 GPA (as calculated at time of admission decision) and submit the following assistantship specific application materials:
- Application for Graduate Assistantship
- Current Resume
- One-page cover letter that describes your candidacy for Graduate Assistantship
Highlight your scholastic preparation and achievements and describe specific skill sets that you could bring to an assignment such as: a faculty research project, a strategic administrative project, or a teaching or laboratory assignment in which you would assist the master instructor.
Students eligible to apply to the assistanship program will receive an email with an application link and additional information.
Fall 2025 Assistantship Application Timeline
- December 1: Graduate Assistantship Application Opens for Fall 2025 term
- February 1: Deadline to be admitted to your program of study
- February 15: Deadline to submit the Graduate Assistantship Application
- March 15: Applicants will be notified if they have received a Graduate Assistantship position
- April 15: Deadline for candidates offered a position to accept their Graduate Assistantship assignment
Available Assistantship Positions
Select an available Graduate Assistanship to learn more about the position details, qualifications and compensation.