Sample 0.

50 FTE GTA/GRA Letter Template AY 2017-18 (FY18)

Dear {Student}:

Contingent upon admission to the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Graduate College, the
{Department of ___/___ Graduate Program} is pleased to inform you that you have been admitted
{provisionally/conditionally/on probation} to our program for fall/spring 20__.
{Conditions/Provisions/Probationary terms: You are required to take ___ leveling courses/you
are required to maintain a 3.00 GPA/etc.} If admitted by the Graduate College, your
{excellent/outstanding/etc.} record will allow us to offer you a financial support package.

We are pleased to offer you a 0.50 FTE position as a Graduate {Teaching/Research} Assistant
({GTA/GRA}) for the {___ semester/year}. You will be performing {teaching/research} duties
{associated with ___ course(s)/project(s)/associated with the department’s/program’s
undergraduate offerings/under the direction of Professor ___} for an average of 20 hours per week
(0.50 FTE). This appointment, like all graduate student positions, is subject to satisfactory progress
toward your degree {maintain a minimum GPA of ___}, satisfactory performance of assigned
duties, availability of sufficient funds, and compliance with all Department, Program, Graduate
College and University rules, regulations, and requirements. {{This appointment may be renewed
based on those same conditions.}} Please review the various OSU websites for academic and
conduct expectations. Financial support can be terminated by the {Department/Program} at any
time, if you fail to meet these expectations.

This position carries a monthly stipend of $___ for the months of ___ {$___ per semester/year},
which will be paid through the monthly payroll system at the end of each month. {Your first
paycheck will be ___.}

In general, full-time enrollment for graduate students is nine credit hours per semester. Full-time
enrollment for those graduate students with a total of 0.50 FTE in assistantships is six (6) credit
hours per semester. Therefore, your 0.50 FTE assistantship requires you to enroll in at least six (6)
credit hours of eligible graduate coursework relevant to your degree each semester (fall/spring) in
which you have assistantships totaling 0.50 FTE. However, you are encouraged to enroll in {9
credit hours/such a manner as} to facilitate degree completion in a timely manner. All graduate
teaching and research assistants/associates (GTAs/GRAs) with qualifying 0.50 FTE appointments,
such as yours, receive a full tuition waiver for eligible graduate courses; fees cannot be waived.
With qualifying GTA or GRA appointments, graduate students are eligible for tuition waivers for
the number of graduate credit hours designated in their graduate degree program. Assuming
enrollment in nine (9) credit hours in the fall and spring and two (2) credit hours in the summer,
the tuition waiver currently amounts to ~$___ per year for an Oklahoma resident and ~$___ per
year for a non-resident for the 2017-18 academic year.

To receive this tuition waiver benefit and for a definition of “eligible courses,” you must complete
the “Tuition Waiver Contract” online {http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/FormsPage}, under
“GTA/GRA Tuition waiver Contracts, the GSSI form,” as early as possible after you arrive at OSU
and no later than the first day of each semester. You are required to submit an online contract each
semester of your employment thereafter.
 Sample 0.50 FTE GTA/GRA Letter Template AY 2017-18 (FY18)

{After the initial assistantship period, graduate students who continue to meet the expectations
described above may seek continued financial support as GTAs and GRAs. Specific details of
research assistantships depend on being accepted into a research group and the availability of funds
of that research group. Visit our website ___ for additional Program and research group
information.}

In addition to the above compensation and tuition benefit, the single-person health insurance
premium will be subsidized on your behalf with your qualifying enrollment and assistantship (at
least .25%FTE).

{For those requiring the ITA exam: If you are employed as a GTA with classroom or laboratory
responsibilities that involve oral communication with students, you must achieve at least (1) a 26
on the speaking section of the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or an 8.5 or higher on the speaking
score of IELTS or (2) a 22, 23, or 24 on the speaking section of the iBT or score of 7.0, 7.5, or 8.0
on the speaking portion of the IELTS and a passing score on the OSU-administered International
Teaching Assistant (ITA) exam. The scored ITA exam is a five-minute verbal presentation on a
subject of your choice, followed by a short question-and-answer session. The ITA exam is
administered during the week before classes begin, so you must arrive in time to take it:
http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/ita.}

This offer of employment is conditional upon your satisfaction of the employment eligibility
requirements established by Federal Immigration Control Law. On or before your first day of
employment, you must complete Section One of the Employment Eligibility Form (I-9) and
provide departmental personnel with original documents pertaining to your identity and eligibility
to work within the United States (US). You must also provide a social security number at this time
or you must submit an application for one as soon as possible upon your arrival in Stillwater,
Oklahoma. {For international: University policy requires that all non-citizens of the US hold
appropriate visas in order to be employed as GTAs or GRAs. If you are not a US citizen or
Permanent Resident card holder, you must appear in the Office of International Students and
Scholars in 250 Student Union (Stillwater Campus) or 130 North Hall (Tulsa Campus) prior to
starting work in order to obtain an on-campus work permit.}

Please indicate your acceptance of this offer by signing the appropriate line below and returning
the enclosed copy of this letter to us as soon as possible but no later than April 15, 2017. {Note
OSU is bound by the CGS Resolution and cannot require students to accept financial offers any
earlier than this}. You are encouraged to review the Council of Graduate Schools’ Resolution
(http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf) concerning acceptance of
GTAs and GRAs positions. If your plans do not include enrolling in our graduate program, we
would appreciate you informing us as soon as possible by marking the appropriate box on the
attached copy of this letter and returning it to us {add directions}. This offer expires if you do not
report to the {Department/Program} Office on {date}.

We look forward to you joining the OSU {Department of ___/___ Graduate Program}. If you have
any questions, please {call (405)744-___ or e-mail ___ at ___@okstate.edu}.

Sincerely,
 Sample 0.50 FTE GTA/GRA Letter Template AY 2017-18 (FY18)

___, {Department Head/Graduate Coordinator}

Cc: Graduate College

_____ Yes. I, , accept the offer as described in this

letter. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the conditions contained herein. {{I
understand that I am required to report to the Department of ___ {for mandatory orientation/ITA
testing} by ___, 2017.}} {I understand I must seek written authorization from the
Department/Graduate Program before accepting any other fellowships or employment offers.}

___________________________________________________
Signature Date

_____ No. I, , decline this offer.

___________________________________________________
Signature Date