Graduate Assistantships and Service-Based Pricing

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Policy Number:
UW-1029
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy clarifies when and if students enrolled in service-based pricing academic programs are allowed to be hired into graduate assistantships and what the responsibilities students, programs, departments, and central campus administration have in the employment eligibility determination process.

Definitions:
Academic Program
An area of study that leads to a degree/major, certificate, minor or named option.
Academic Unit
The academic and administrative home for an academic program, also known as an academic department, housed within an academic division (school/college). The academic unit originates all program and curricular changes through academic governance; ensures the curriculum is appropriate and that courses are offered regularly; provides student support services such as advising; prepares all content for the Guide and assures the program and subject listing is represented accurately at all times; oversees the course evaluation process; coordinates assessment and program review; and receives allocation for program enrollment, degrees, certificates and credits in the information systems.
Nontraditional Student
For purposes of this policy, a “traditional” student enters higher education after recently graduating from high school (typically, ages 18 to 22 years old), enrolls in a four-year program, and lives on or around a campus. A nontraditional student is defined as any student outside of this definition.
Service-Based Pricing Program
A degree/major, capstone certificate, or special student program, consisting of individual courses or a series of courses designed to provide students with a specific set of competencies, operating within either the Online/Distance or Market-Based designation of the Service-Based Pricing tuition structure.
Service-Based Pricing Program – Market-Based Tuition
A program approved for service-based pricing that is designed for non-traditional students and charges a per-credit tuition rate.
Service-Based Pricing Program – Online/Distance Tuition
A program approved for service-based pricing that is offered via online/distance education.
Tuition
In alignment with Wis. Stat. §36.27, the academic fees assessed all students for instruction at UW-Madison.
Scope:

Students enrolled in a program that utilizes a service-based pricing tuition structure.

Policy:

Academic programs that use a service-based pricing tuition structure are required to operate in a fully self-supporting manner with tuition revenue as the primary source of funding for operational activities. These programs are intended for non-traditional student populations and offer some combination of accelerated curricula, distance education delivery, and other flexibilities needed by non- traditional students, including graduate students.

When students enrolled in service-based pricing programs are hired into traditional graduate assistantship positions equivalent to at least 33.33% of one FTE, the tuition remission associated with the assistantship compromises the operational revenue of the program. To prevent this from occurring, the following is enforced for service-based pricing programs:

  • Faculty and staff must disclose remission restrictions for graduate assistantships with the offer of admission, on the academic program’s website and Guide pages, in the academic program’s handbook, and during program orientation.
  • A student may accept a graduate assistantship (including those above 33.33% FTE); however, the student will not receive tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship. The Bursar’s Office enforces this provision by preventing students in service-based pricing programs from receiving tuition remission associated with a graduate assistantship.
  • Hiring departments are not obligated to provide tuition assistance. However, an academic unit that wishes to provide tuition assistance may complete the Internal Third-Party Deferral Process for financial incentives which credits a student’s tuition account with funds paid by a UW–Madison academic unit.
Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Director, Madison Budget Office -- Email the Madison Budget Office at, mbo@vc.wisc.edu
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Effective Date:
05-15-2022
Date Issued:
05-15-2022
Revised Dates:

4-21-2023

Retrieved:
11-21-2024 08:40:25