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NON FRINGE RESEARCH ASSISTANT, PREVIOUS STIPEND AND OFFER LETTER FAQS

Post-comps (DD status) Ph.D. students.

During the SUMMER semester with no SI charge (if less than 75% employed).

The following conditions must be met:

  • Non Fringe Research assistantship appointments only
  • No concurrent Summer appointments with a regular RA, TA or TE assistantship.
  • If this RA category is chosen, the student may not concurrently hold other RA appointments.
  • Student must have held an immediately prior SPRING semester GA (any type), so that the student will continue health insurance coverage (which runs until August 31).
  • Student must be classified with the Registrar's office as DD status, e.g., Ph.D. completed comprehensive exams
  • Student must be enrolled for ONE credit (for IRS/FICA purposes and MSU definition of "full time"), and there will be no charge for that credit to the Unit.
Yes, but due to FICA/Medicare Withholding policies, we cannot offer a fringe-free option at 3/4 time employment. We will offer a 3/4 time employment option, but it will include a 7.65% FICA/Medicare fringe relevant to the stipend. The 3/4 employment option will not include health and tuition fringe. 
No, if the Post Comps Ph.D. student is enrolled and registered for more than 1 credit he/she will not be eligible for the Non Fringe Research Assistant job. 
Yes it is open to domestic, permanent residents, and international students.
The appointment may be 1/4 or 1/2 time and at any level 1, 2, 3. See Question 4 for 75% appointments.
Yes, the ability to employ graduate assistants in a regular research assistant position is available for all graduate students including post comp Ph.D. students. 
No, a student-signed copy of an appointment letter is required along with the appointment form. 
Yes, the Unit should still process a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers are necessary for all graduate assistant appointments.
Yes, relative pay rules were adjusted. Justifications are no longer permitted on the forms. The Unit will be required to pay the graduate assistant no less than any previous semester relevant to the Unit, function and employment percent of the current appointment. Summer semesters will be an exception where the stipend paid in summer will not be incorporated to determine previous pay for fall and spring appointments.
The cost associated with the 1 credit waiver for the Non Fringe Research Assistant option is $646. 
No, the amount of the graduate assistant tuition waiver on the student's bill will not change. This change only impacts the fringes charged to the Unit. 
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