FAQs

To receive tuition support, you must be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or one of the following terminal master’s programs: Master of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, or Master of Landscape Architecture. Students enrolled in other master’s programs do not qualify for tuition support.

The qualifying positions are salaried graduate teaching assistant (GTA), graduate teaching associate (GTA), graduate research assistant (GRA), and graduate research associate (GRA). Graduate assistants who are paid hourly do not qualify for tuition support. Other student employment positions do not qualify for tuition support.

Students must meet other requirements described in the Graduate Assistantship and Associateship Policy in the University Catalog. These conditions include admission status, acceptable English proficiency for GTAs, good academic standing, satisfactory academic progress in their degree program, and satisfactory performance in the GTA or GRA role for continued appointment in that role.

Students must also enroll for the course load required under the policy. In most cases, this requirement is nine credit hours in fall and spring semesters and six credit hours in the summer. The nine-hour minimum registration limit may be reduced to six credit hours for thesis and dissertation students who have completed all required coursework and are registered for thesis or dissertation research only.

Ph.D. students who complete a minimum of nine hours of dissertation research (in 6399, 6699, 6999 and/or 7399 courses) prior to graduation can meet the minimum enrollment requirements during the term they intend to defend and graduate by enrolling in a 7399 course.

Yes, tuition support will be provided to students during the semester in which the approved exception is applicable.

Both international and U.S. students are eligible for tuition support on the same basis.

All students with an eligible GTA or GRA appointment are only billed for in-state tuition rates, and the out-of-state portion is waived.

This policy does not apply to UTA faculty. To learn more about UTA employee tuition benefits granted by the Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement, visit the Employee Tuition Affordability webpage.

This policy does not apply to UTA staff. To learn more about UTA employee tuition benefits granted by the Office of Talent, Culture, and Engagement, visit the Employee Tuition Affordability webpage.

In many cases, there will be an increase in tuition support. There are some students in GTA or GRA positions who were receiving support for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees before this policy took effect. In those cases, the individual will not receive additional financial support. Students who were receiving an amount less than 100% of tuition and mandatory fees will receive an increase.

Tuition support for students enrolled in Ph.D. and terminal master’s programs will continue in the future.

Tuition support will cover 100% of tuition and mandatory fees for enrollment up to the number of credit hours required under the Graduate Assistantship and Associateship Policy in the University Catalog. Students who enroll for credit hours above this requirement will have to pay tuition and fees for the additional hours. The fees defined as “mandatory” are explained at Student Accounts under the subheading “Tuition and Mandatory Fees.”

Fees not covered by tuition support include parking, course fees charged for field trips, private music instruction, class fees for distance education, and others. It also does not cover charges for health insurance.

Because tuition support does not cover all the charges that students must pay, there is often an amount that is billed.

We are in the process of implementing increased tuition support. You can check with your department to see if your account has been adjusted for an increase.

If you have overpaid and have no outstanding balance due, you will get a refund.

You should pay any bill that is due. If your account is subsequently adjusted for an increase in tuition support and this produces an overpayment, you will get a refund.

You should apply for the program following the procedures described on the Graduate Admissions webpage. You should also talk to the Graduate Advisor for the Ph.D. program that you are applying to and tell them that you want to be considered for a GTA or GRA position. Each program has its own process for considering such requests. It is also important to discuss your interest in doctoral studies with the graduate advisor and other program faculty. Your application is usually strengthened when they know about your research interests and your other academic and professional interests.

Since the availability of assistantships depends on the specific needs of the program and available funding, those interested in obtaining an assistantship should contact their department or program for information about availability and application procedures.

The Graduate School lists funding opportunities supported by UTA and several that are externally sponsored on our funding resources page.

To receive health insurance support, you must be enrolled in a Ph.D. program or one of the following terminal master’s programs: Master of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, or Master of Landscape Architecture. Students enrolled in other master’s programs do not qualify for tuition support.

The qualifying positions are salaried graduate teaching assistant (GTA), and graduate research assistant (GRA). Graduate assistants who are paid hourly do not qualify for health insurance support. Other student employment positions do not qualify for tuition support.

Students must meet other requirements described in the Graduate Assistantship and Associateship Policy in the University Catalog. These conditions include admission status, acceptable English proficiency for GTAs, good academic standing, satisfactory academic progress in their degree program, and satisfactory performance in the GTA or GRA role for continued appointment in that role.

Students must also enroll for the course load required under the policy. In most cases, this requirement is nine credit hours in Fall and Spring semesters and six credit hours in the Summer. The nine-hour minimum registration limit may be reduced to six credit hours for thesis and dissertation students who have completed all required coursework and are registered for thesis or dissertation research only.

Ph.D. students who complete a minimum of nine hours of dissertation research (in 6399, 6699, 6999 and/or 7399 courses) prior to graduation can meet the minimum enrollment requirements during the term they intend to defend and graduate by enrolling in a 7399 course.

Yes, health insurance support will be provided to students during the semester in which the approved exception is applicable.

Both international and U.S. students are eligible for health insurance support on the same basis.

UTA supports coverage under the University of Texas Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP). The insurance plan, Academic Blue, is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, and managed by our partner, Academic HealthPlans. Only basic individual coverage is supported by UTA. Coverage for dependents and dental coverage are optional. You may enroll in these options, but you will have to pay for them.

You will not need to enroll to receive individual coverage under UT SHIP. Eligible PhD and terminal master’s students will be auto enrolled for single subscriber medical coverage at no cost to the student.

To enroll dependents or add dental coverage, you will go to https://uta.myahpcare.com/enrollment and click on the section labeled: ”Funded Graduate Student Employees (PhD and Terminal Masters)”. The two options of dependent or dental coverage will then be available. If you select these options, you will have to pay for the coverage. UTA will only pay for your individual coverage.

GTAs and GRAs with standard 20 hour per week appointments are part-time employees, who are eligible to enroll in employee health insurance. However, UTA only pays 50% of basic individual coverage for part-time employees. If you choose to enroll in employee health insurance coverage, you will have to pay the other 50%. In contrast, you will receive 100% support for individual coverage under the student health insurance plan (UT-SHIP). For most students, accepting enrollment in UT-SHIP will be less expensive and provide adequate coverage. You can see details of the employee health insurance plan at https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/benefits/index.php. Coverages of the student and employee plans differ in some respects, and you might want to compare them if you have complex medical needs.

UTA does not support coverage by any insurance programs other than the student and employee plans. You will have to pay for any coverage obtained from other providers.

You may apply for a waiver at the enrollment site for UT-SHIP, https://uta.myahpcare.com/enrollment. The link to apply for a waiver is at the bottom of the page. Or you may navigate to the waiver page at https://uta.myahpcare.com/waiver. International students must show evidence that the alternative plan they have provides all the coverages required under U.S. law. These requirements are described on the waiver web page. Students who wish to opt out of UT SHIP coverage will have 31 days from hire to opt out and will be responsible for notifying their college by providing proof of non-university medical coverage and a waiver form.

If you want to accept the benefit of having UTA pay for your individual UT-SHIP coverage, you may cancel your waiver after being auto enrolled as a funded graduate student. To do so, use the enrollment site (https://uta.myahpcare.com/), and click on “chat” to contact AHP and request to cancel your waiver. You will need to provide the waiver number when doing so. If you are reversing a waiver please also send your name to Ms. Andrea Thomas (andrea.thomas2@uta.edu) and Dr. Jim Grover (grover@uta.edu). We will make a list of those canceling prior waivers to make sure that coverage is provided as intended. If you have obtained coverage from other providers, you will have to contact them to cancel your alternative coverage.

This Fall semester, we will be running a new business process to pay for single subscriber medical coverage directly from the university. Although it is our intention that students should not pay, it is possible that charges for this coverage will be added to student accounts. We will be watching for these cases and removing such charges. Any students who overpay will receive a refund. Please report any problems or direct any questions to Dr. Jim Grover, Dean of the Graduate School (grover@uta.edu).

You should apply for the program following the procedures described on the Graduate Admissions webpage. You should also talk to the Graduate Advisor for the Ph.D. program that you are applying to and tell them that you want to be considered for a GTA or GRA position. Each program has its own process for considering such requests. It is also important to discuss your interest in doctoral studies with the graduate advisor and other program faculty. Your application is usually strengthened when they know about your research interests and your other academic and professional interests.

Since the availability of assistantships depends on the specific needs of the program and available funding, those interested in obtaining an assistantship should contact their department or program for information about availability and application procedures.

The Graduate School lists funding opportunities supported by UTA and several that are externally sponsored on our funding resources page.