Pursuing graduate education can be expensive, but universities like Northern Arizona University (NAU) offer exceptional financial support options to help students achieve their academic goals. Two of the most popular funding opportunities are Graduate Assistantships (GAs) and Tuition Waivers (TWs)—both designed to reduce the financial burden while enhancing academic and professional growth.

In this guide, we break down what these programs are, who qualifies, the benefits, and how you can apply.

What Is a Graduate Assistantship?

A graduate assistantship (GA) is a funded position offered to graduate students who support their academic department or university unit through teaching, research, or administrative duties. In return, students receive:

A stipend
Tuition remission
Additional benefits depending on their appointment

Graduate assistantships are one of the best ways to fund a master’s or doctoral degree while gaining hands-on experience relevant to your field.

Eligibility Requirements

To be awarded a GA position, students must:

Be enrolled as graduate degree-seeking students
Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
Not be conditionally admitted due to a GPA below 3.0

Students with a GA appointment of 10+ hours per week are classified as residents for tuition purposes during the term of appointment.

Graduate Assistantship Benefits at NAU

NAU offers both full-time and part-time graduate assistantships.

Full-Time GA (20 hours/week)

Full-time graduate assistants receive:

100% tuition remission (excluding university & program fees)
For online programs, tuition is capped at 9 credits per semester—check with your department for additional coverage.
Waiver of the student health insurance premium (SHIP)
Note: Online-only students are not eligible for SHIP premium waivers.
Stipend
- $15,000/year for master’s students
- $18,000/year for doctoral students

Part-Time GA (10 hours/week)

Part-time graduate assistants receive:

50% tuition remission
Stipend (varies by department)

Finding a Graduate Assistantship at NAU

NAU offers two types of assistantships:

1. Academic (Teaching & Research) Assistantships

These positions are offered directly through:

Academic departments
Research units
Grant-funded projects

Students should use the NAU Directory to contact graduate coordinators or department chairs for available opportunities. Most postings open in early spring for the fall semester.

2. Non-Academic or “At-Large” Graduate Assistantships

These positions are offered through various university offices and include:

Stipends (amount varies)
Flexible roles depending on the office

As of now, there are no open GSA positions, but NAU updates listings regularly—students are encouraged to check back often.

What Is a Tuition Waiver?

A tuition waiver is a scholarship that covers all or part of a student’s tuition without any work requirement.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, students must be:

Graduate degree-seeking
In good academic standing

These awards may be based on:

Academic merit
Financial need

Tuition waivers are available to both resident and non-resident students. Application procedures vary, so students should contact their academic program for specific instructions.