Graduate assistantships & tuition waivers

What is a tuition waiver?

NAU tuition waivers are scholarships which pay for all or part of a student’s tuition.

To be awarded a tuition waiver, students must be full-time, graduate degree-seeking students, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. These awards may be based on academic merit and/or financial need. They are available to both resident and non-resident graduate students. The application process for tuition waivers is available through the academic program.

What is a graduate assistantship?

Graduate assistantships (GAs) are an outstanding way to fund graduate education while simultaneously developing professional skills. Graduate assistants perform vital teaching, research, and service duties to their program and earn a stipend for their work.

To be awarded a graduate assistantship, students must be full-time, graduate degree-seeking students, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Students that are conditionally admitted to a graduate program due to a GPA below 3.0 upon admission are not eligible to receive a graduate assistantship.

All graduate assistants with an appointment of 10 or more hours per week are considered residents for tuition purposes during the term of appointment. The application process for graduate assistant positions is available through the academic program or service unit.

Full-time (20 hours/week) graduate assistantships offer:

• 100% tuition waiver (excluding any university and program fees)
• a waiver of the student health insurance premium
• stipend

Part-time (10 hours/week) offer:

• 50% tuition waiver (excluding any university and program fees)
• stipend

NAU teaching and research assistantships

The Graduate College and academic colleges fund approximately $1 million dollars of assistantships annually for teaching and research. These are available through the academic units and are normally part of the program’s admission application process. Contact your specific program for more details.

NAU non-academic or “at-large” graduate assistantships

Non-academic graduate assistantships are available through many university-wide offices. They are awarded with stipends that vary by office, job duties, and degree-level.

Current “at-large” assistantship openings:

Graduate Service Assistantship: Office of Indigenous Student Success (2019-2020)

Graduate Service Assistantship: Career Development (2019-2020)