SAMPLE TA/GA OFFER LETTER FOR NEW STUDENTS
* This letter must be used in its entirety (except where noted as optional), as it meets applicable
regulations. Departments may wish to add program-specific information.
[If International, must include at top of page: EIN: 14-601-3200]
[Date]
Name
Address
City, State ZIP
Dear xxx,
Congratulations on your admission to The Graduate School at Binghamton University! The [Department
Name] is pleased to offer you an assistantship for the [2011-2012 academic year or semester] with a total
value of [insert total of all rows from below]. This funding award includes:
Base Stipend $ [Base Stipend]
Tuition Scholarship $ [amount]
Total Funding Award $ (total of all rows)
Your assistantship position implies that you will perform some research, teaching, or administrative
service for the University. You will be notified of specific details concerning your assignment at a later
date. For the purposes of collective negotiations, this assistantship position is represented by the
Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)/Communications Workers of America, Local 1104
(www.gseu.org) and is eligible for health insurance benefits and reduced parking rates.
Classes begin on August 29, 2011. Your assistantship appointment is expected to extend from August
22, 2011 through May 23, 2012 [or semester dates]. If you accept this assistantship offer, you will be
expected to attend orientation activities the week prior to the start of classes (details announced in early
summer via email and at http://gradschool.binghamton.edu/cs/orientation.asp).
Payroll information: Provided you have completed all paperwork including the federally
required I-9 on time, the following is the payroll schedule and when you may expect a check.
(Please note, the state runs on a two week lag payroll).
Academic Year appointments start: 8/22/11-5/23/12 which is 19.5 pay periods. First check will
be 9/14/11 for 8 days pay.
Fall only appointments run: 8/22/11 to 12/21/11 which is 8.8 pay periods. This means your first
check will be issued on 9/14/11 for 8 days pay.
A tuition scholarship of [tuition amount same as above] is offered in conjunction with your assistantship
to help cover tuition for all eligible graduate courses. Tuition scholarships do not cover mandatory
student fees, which you will be responsible for paying prior to the beginning of each semester. To learn
about the conditions governing these awards, please read the enclosed “Terms and Conditions”
documents.
Feb 11, 2010 revise
[If domestic, insert: Comprehensive health insurance benefits are available to you, however they are not
automatic. If you wish to participate, you must enroll with the Employee Benefits Office within your first
45 days of employment. For details about benefits (including health insurance plan and enrollment
forms), please go to the Graduate and Teaching Assistant (GA/TA) section of the Office of Human
Resources website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/new-employees/new-gata.html.]
[If international, insert: International students in F-1 or J-1 status, and their dependents with them in the
United States, are required to be covered by health insurance. Health insurance enrollment in the GSEU
plan is mandatory for all students in F-1 status. An enrollment form must be completed and returned to
the Employee Benefits Office. For details about benefits (including health insurance plan and enrollment
forms), please go to the Graduate and Teaching Assistant (GA/TA) section of the Office of Human
Resources website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/new-employees/new-gata.html .
Students in J-1 or J-2 status are not eligible for the GSEU health insurance plan and will automatically be
enrolled in the international student health insurance plan.]
We hope that you will accept this offer of an assistantship and a tuition scholarship. If you choose to
accept, please sign and return two copies of each the following forms to: [Department Name and
Address]. You may wish to make extra copies for your own records. If you choose to decline this offer,
please notify [Dept. Secretary] as soon as possible at [e-mail address; 607-777-xxxx]
Terms and Conditions for Employment
Terms and Conditions for Acceptance of a Tuition Scholarship
Student Information Form
Confidentiality Statement
[Optional: We greatly appreciate your response regarding this offer by xx xx, 2011, as your early
response will be helpful to us in planning for the coming year.] We will consider this offer valid until April
15, 2011, unless you decline before that date. If your reply is not received by April 15, 2011, this offer
may be rescinded. This offer is made in compliance with the Council of Graduate School’s Resolution
Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants
http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf).
[If international, insert: Please save this letter since you will need it in order to apply for a U.S. Social
Security Number.] If you have any questions concerning this offer, please contact me at [607-777-xxxx]. I
look forward to welcoming you to our graduate program.
Sincerely,
[Director of Graduate Department]
File
Enclosures
c: The Graduate School
[if international insert: Office of International Student and Scholar Services]
Feb 11, 2010 revise