IMPORTANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Salary and Benefits

The complete salary schedule for graduate student service appointees is published at relevant intervals by the Graduate School. Copies are usually available in the academic departments as well and may be found online at http://www.grad.washington.edu/fellow/salaryschedule.htm.

Paychecks are distributed through your department's office on the 10th and 25th of every month. (Alternatively, a direct deposit service is available.) TAs on nine-month appointments will receive six checks each quarter, from October through June. Pay periods for the academic quarters are as follows:

			Autumn = September 16 - December 15
			Winter = December 16 - March 15
			Spring = March 16 - June 15
			Summer = June 16 - August 15
		

The University is on a lag payroll system: earnings between the 1st and the 15th of each month are paid on the 25th, and earnings between the 16th and the 31st of the month are paid on the 10th of the following month. Federal income tax is deducted by the Payroll Office, as well as a small deduction for state-required medical aid.

Fee Waivers

If you hold a 50% or greater than 50% graduate appointment for five out of six pay periods per quarter, you receive compensation for teaching services provided to the university and the operating fee component of total tuition and fees. You are responsible for paying the remainder (building fee and services and activities fee) by the quarterly due date.

Non-resident students who hold appointments eligible for the ROF are treated as residents for tuition purposes. Since the number of these waivers is limited, it is in the best interest of both the student and the academic department for students who meet eligibility criteria to qualify for state residency in a timely manner. Further information is available from the Residence Classification Office, 264 Schmitz, 543-4188 (http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/residency.html).

In order to retain the ROF and the NRD, you must remain on the payroll for at least five pay periods and remain enrolled for at least 10 credits. If you resign or withdraw, you will be billed for full tuition or forfeitures due. The Graduate School will approve petitions to drop below the 10-credit level of enrollment if certain criteria are met.

Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan

As a teaching assistant, you are covered by the Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan if your appointment meets eligibility requirements. For all eligible appointees, the University provides full payment of Student Only coverage, as well as 50% of the incremental cost of coverage for spouse and/or children. Should you wish to cover your dependents in the plan, please contact your department for the appropriate form.

Medical, dental, and vision coverage are discussed in the official insurance booklet, which is available online at:. http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/gaip/gaip.html

The booklet explains eligibility guidelines, describes the essential features of your coverage, details obligations for both you and the carriers, and includes information about filing claims. It is important that you read this booklet carefully and keep it for future reference. You are responsible for knowing and understanding the information about the plan that is included in this booklet.

Further questions concerning eligibility may be directed to the Graduate School (543-5900).