Northern Arizona University Political Science Department
FAQ ABOUT GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP AND GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
Who should use these financial aid application forms?
These forms are for continuing students who have already been admitted to our programs. The "Repeat" form (green) is for use
by students who have ever had an assistantship or waiver through the Political Science department. The "New App" form (orange)
is for use by students who have not previously received either type of award from POS. These forms and the Feb. 28. deadline
they reference ARE NOT APPLICABLE to new applicants to our programs;, who should apply for financial assistance on the
Admission Application, which is due no later than February 15, 2008.
Should you apply for a graduate assistantship, a tuition waiver, or both?
One individual will not be awarded both an assistantship and a waiver at the same time, but being considered for both
will increase your opportunities for receiving some form of assistance. If you apply for both, it will be assumed that the
assistantship is the preferred award unless otherwise indicated on the application. You will not be considered for a
form of award for which you do not apply.
What is the difference between a Graduate Assistantship and a Graduate Scholarship?
A graduate assistantship is a form of employment, for which students receive a stipend. A full assistantship entails working
an average of 20 hours per week, beginning one week before classes start. Full-time (20-hour) GA's receive paid student
health insurance and a partial remission of in-state tuition. Out-of-state students who receive an assistantship do not pay
the out-of-state portion of tuition.
A graduate scholarship (commonly called a tuition waiver) is not a form of employment and does not require work hours.
If you are an in-state student, your tuition is waived. If you are an out-of-state student, the out-of-state portion of tuition
is waived, and you pay only the in-state portion. A waiver of the entire tuition for an out-of-state student is not available.
What is the submission deadline for the graduate assistantship/waiver application?
Your application, including attachments, must reach the department office no later than February 28, 2008.
What is the difference between a 'Renewable" assistantship and a "Non-renewing" assistantship?
Renewable assistantships may be expected to be re-awarded beyond the first year per the following schedule:
MA/MPA students 4 semesters (first year + 1 renewal year)
PhD students entering with a master’s degree 6 semesters (first year + up to 2 renewal years)
PhD students entering with a bachelor’s degree only 8 semesters (first year + up to 3 renewal years)
Assistantships awarded during the annual spring cycle are "renewable" unless your contract specifies otherwise. Continuation
of financial awards is subject to availability of funding and meeting all conditions of appointment (see below). If you do not remain
continuously enrolled or you resign the assistantship during the appointment period, renewal of the award is at the discretion
of the Graduate Committee.
"Non-renewing" assistantships are awarded for a specified semester or year only, with no expectation of renewal or
continuation. Students are advised at the time of the award if they are receiving a non-renewing assistantship. All mid-year
(spring only) awards are non-renewing. A student who receives such an award may apply for a renewable award at the next
open application cycle. A non-renewing award may be made in circumstances such as replacing a mid-appointment GA
resignation, distribution of additional one-time GA funding resources, etc.
What are the conditions of an assistantship appointment?
You must meet all Graduate College and departmental conditions of appointment, such as acceptable academic progress with
at least a 3.0 GPA, satisfactory work performance, enrollment for 9 to 12 credit hours each semester, and other conditions as
specified at the time of employment. Unacceptable performance or inadequate academic progress may be grounds for
termination or non-renewal of an assistantship appointment. Termination or any other disciplinary action is subject to the
appeal process as stated in Graduate College policy.
What are the conditions of a graduate scholarship (tuition waiver)?
You must enroll for a minimum of 9 credit hours and make adequate academic progress in order to remain eligible
for a tuition waiver.
Northern Arizona University Political Science Department DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2008
NEW APP FORM -- for students who have NOT had GA or Waiver funding from the POS department
► APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP Date:
► APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP (tuition waiver)
Use this form if you are a…
£ Continuing student who has never been awarded an assistantship or tuition waiver from the POS department
£ New student admitted for the 2007-2008 academic year who deferred admission to AY 2008-2009
If you need more space in a section below, you may add more lines.
I am applying for: I am admitted to the POS:
Graduate Assistantship (research/classroom support) MA program
Graduate Scholarship (tuition waiver) -- Arizona residency MPA program
Graduate Scholarship (tuition waiver) -- non-Arizona residency PhD program
You may apply for an assistantship and/or the type of waiver that corresponds to your residency.
Name NAU ID
Local Address
City State/Zip
GA contract letters are sent to the local address unless otherwise indicated.
Telephones Home Work Cell
Email Address NAU Other
International Students state your citizenship and home country:
Areas of study: Primary Secondary (if applicable)
Graduate Courses in Political Science completed or in progress:
Prefix/No. Title Instructor Grade Semester/Year
Work experience (beginning with most recent & including prior assistantships)
Students applying ONLY for a waiver may skip the Work Experience section
Dates Employer Supervisor Duties
Three letters of reference are required (narrative letter AND recommendation form on POS website)
List the three persons submitting references for you:
Name Email Phone
By signing this application, I agree that if employed as a Graduate Assistant I will fulfill all Conditions of
Appointment required by NAU and the Political Science Department. I understand that I will be required to
complete a Conviction Disclosure form prior to employment.
Applicant signature Application Date
Attach the following:
1) Unofficial copy of your transcript, WITH explanations of any Incomplete and In Progress grades
2) Copy of your approved program of study, or original if you do not have an approved program on file.
If you are a new admit who deferred attendance, these attachments are not required.
Submit by 2/28/08 deadline to NAU Political Science Department office, SBS 224, or mail to
Graduate Programs Committee, Political Science Department, PO Box 15036, Flagstaff AZ 86011
Northern Arizona University Political Science Department DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2008
REPEAT FORM -- for students who have ever been awarded GA or Waiver funding from the POS department
► APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP Date:
► APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP (tuition waiver)
Use this form if you are a…
£ Current Graduate Assistant with a renewable or non-renewing GA award
£ Continuing student in a POS program who has at some time been awarded an assistantship or waiver from POS
Note: GA's with renewable assistantships are required to re-apply for the assistantship award each year.
If you need more space in a section below, you may add more lines.
I am applying for: I am admitted to the POS:
Graduate Assistantship MA program
Graduate Scholarship (tuition waiver) -- Arizona residency MPA program
Graduate Scholarship (tuition waiver) -- non-Arizona residency PhD program
Name NAU ID
Local Address
City State/Zip
GA contract letters are sent to the local address unless otherwise indicated.
Telephones Home Work Cell
Email Address NAU Other
International Students state your citizenship and home country:
Advisor Expected graduation date:
Prior GA/Waiver Funding. List all academic-year and 1-semester awards received from POS, most recent first.
If you were hired to teach a class, do not list this as "prior funding."
GA or waiver? Academic Year or semester of award Faculty Supervisor (assistantships only)
Two letters of reference are required (form not necessary). List the two people submitting references for you:
Name Email Phone
Justification for Request (required for Waiver, optional for Assistantship):
By signing this application, I agree that if given an award I will fulfill all conditions required by NAU and the
Political Science Department. I understand that I will be required to sign a Conviction Disclosure form.
Applicant signature Application Date
Attach the following:
1) Unofficial copy of your transcript, WITH explanations of any Incomplete and In Progress grades
2) Copy of your approved program of study, or original if you do not have an approved program on file.
Submit by 2/28/08 deadline to NAU Political Science Department office, SBS 224, or mail to
Graduate Programs Committee, Political Science Department, PO Box 15036, Flagstaff AZ 86011