UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A 3% increase in stipends for graduate assistants at Penn State, beginning with fall 2022 appointments, was announced today (June 16) by University President Neeli Bendapudi and Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones, pending approval of the University’s 2022-23 operating budget by the Penn State Board of Trustees in July.
“Our graduate assistants are valuable members of the University community and provide vital support for Penn State’s core missions of teaching, research and outreach,” Jones said. “This stipend increase demonstrates the University’s continuing commitment to all our graduate assistants and gratitude for all that they do.”
Graduate assistantships at Penn State include a stipend, full tuition remission and fee waivers, and subsidized, high-quality health. These financial support packages are offered to students conducting research that is part of their degree requirements and graduate teaching assistants who support undergraduate instruction, both in the classroom and in research opportunities.
“I am pleased that the Graduate School continues to make significant progress in raising graduate student support, both in terms of providing students with competitive stipends and in recognizing the many contributions graduate students make towards the University's mission of teaching, research, and service,” said Kathryn R. Drager, interim vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.
The current minimum stipend level for half-time graduate assistant appointments is $21,375 with most students appointed at higher levels. The 3% increase would translate to approximately $641, prior to any applicable tax withholding, at the minimum stipend level.
Along with its commitment to maintaining competitive support packages for its graduate students, the University continues to strive to manage costs for its students wherever possible.
While trends in health insurance premium rates continue to increase — the Pennsylvania medical insurance trend is an average increase of 6% — the University was able to negotiate a new rate for graduate student premiums that represents less than 1% — 0.78% — over the 2021-22 rates from United Healthcare Student Resources, the insurer that currently underwrites Penn State’s Student Health Insurance Plan.
The rate for 2022-23 medical coverage for an individual will increase by $26 to a premium of $3,355, while the rate for family medical coverage will increase by $104 to a premium of $13,420.
The University contributes 80% of the annual medical premium for graduate assistants, fellows and trainees, and 75-76% for dependent coverage. A complete breakdown of the monthly subsidized rates for academic year 2022-23 will be available soon on the University Health Services website.
Additional information for graduate assistants is available on the Graduate School's website.