Graduate Tuition Remission on Grants

University Guidelines for Tuition Remission on Grants

Graduate students may perform work on externally sponsored research projects as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) under the supervision of a principal investigator (PI). GRA compensation may include a stipend and tuition remission.

As tuition remission charges for GRAs are allowable direct charges on federal contracts and grants and many other types of non-federal contracts and grants, the University will require a minimum of 35% of the total cost of tuition remission for GRAs, each year proportionate to the level of GRA effort being proposed on the project, to be built into contract and grant budgets at the current graduate tuition rate, unless prohibited by the program or sponsor. This shall include a 5% annual increase in subsequent years in anticipation of likely future tuition increases, when allowed by the sponsor. 

This guideline will go into effect for all new proposal submissions for new awards sent to a sponsor beginning in FY27.  

Frequently Asked Questions

This is an institutional policy.  All proposal submissions to external sponsors must include the required tuition remission costs as outlined. Waivers to the policy will not be allowed. 

If permitted by the sponsor, tuition remission must be included in the budget proportional to the GRA's level of effort as reflected in their allocated stipends. Therefore, Principal Investigators must plan the budget and scope of work accordingly.

No, this policy only applies to tuition remission. Tuition remission is a benefit for Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) that waives tuition fees as part of their compensation. A waiver is unnecessary if the student is not enrolled in credit-bearing courses requiring tuition fees. Therefore, tuition remission does not need to be included in the budget in this case. For example, Research & Thesis, 1-6 credits, incurs tuition fees, while Continuation of Thesis, 0 credits, does not. 

Budgeted tuition remission must be proportional to the GRA's level of effort as reflected in their allocated stipend. For federal effort reporting, 100% effort equates to approximately 20 hours/week for 9 months during the academic year. This level of effort will require the maximum tuition remission. Alternatively, 10 hours/week or 4.5 months would require 50% tuition remission.

Tuition rates are set by the Division of Enrollment and Management. The university posts the Cost of Attendance each year on the Admissions Tuition and Fees website, which serves as a baseline. Budgeted tuition remission will be calculated based on the tuition-incurring credit hours the student is expected to register for, which can vary depending on factors such as the program, the prospective student, and the student's level and time to degree.

Initial tuition remission cost estimates will use the number of credit hours per year based on the program's published curriculum schedule. If a deviation from the published curriculum schedule is needed based on a specific student's situation, PIs will be asked to provide a justification that has received approval from the graduate program director. 

 

Budgeted tuition remission is not required if a GRA receives a stipend solely for summer effort and is not enrolled in any credit bearing courses.

This policy applies to tuition remission and is separate from any scholarships or discounts the student can receive.  

Normal federal reallocation rules apply.  Faculty will work with Sponsored Programs Accounting to ensure that expenses are appropriately allocated proportionate to each project based on the GRA's effort.

Tuition remission accompanies a stipend as compensation for the effort the GRA provides to the project. Therefore a GRA may not get tuition remission without a stipend. 

It is treated like any other budget reallocation and governed by sponsor guidelines.  However, it's important to note that reallocating to other categories may incur additional F&A charges and may require sponsor approval.