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Grow Professionally While Pursuing Graduate Study


SUNY Plattsburgh offers graduate assistantships for well-qualified, full-time matriculated graduate students.

Graduate Assistantships


SUNY Plattsburgh offers graduate assistantships for well-qualified, full-time matriculated graduate students. These positions provide educational and professional value to your graduate experience while also offering tuition compensation as well as a stipend.

Assistantship Positions


Applications for graduate assistantships are due by February 15 for the following academic year. You must have a complete admissions application in order to be considered for an assistantship. The 2023–24 application cycle is now closed; the 2024–25 application will open in December 2023.

This list is subject to change

How to Apply for Assistantships


  • Part One — Complete the SUNY Plattsburgh Graduate Assistant Application to indicate which positions you would like to be considered for. Position descriptions will be posted above once the applications open.
  • Part Two — Complete the Human Resource Services Employment Application online at Graduate Assistant Application Pool. This process includes uploading a cover letter and resume. Only one cover letter can be submitted, so please speak broadly about your skills and abilities if you are applying to multiple positions.
  • Part ThreeComplete your Graduate Admissions Application and submit the additional required documents for your program. You must have a completed program application to be considered for an assistantship.

About Graduate Assistantships


Eligibility & Qualifications

  • Graduate assistants must be full-time, matriculated students (enrolled in 12+ credit hours) at the start of the appointment period. A graduate student who withdraws or reduces enrollment from full-time to part-time status may jeopardize the stipend and tuition scholarship which affects tuition liability.
  • With permission, exceptions may be granted to the full-time status requirement, allowing a graduate assistant to enroll in 9 credit hours if the assistantship is directly related to the educational program, or when the assistantship is housed within their academic department. To request a reduced course load, please complete the Graduate Assistant Reduced Course Load Request form.
  • Graduate assistants can be enrolled in main campus or online programs, but they must be able to fulfill their work obligation in person on our main campus in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
  • Students must maintain good academic standing.
  • Assistantship opportunities are open to new graduate students, as well as returning and continuing students.

Benefits 

  • Full-time graduate assistantships offer an in-state tuition scholarship and a stipend. Residence directors also receive housing and a partial meal plan.
  • Graduate assistants, in addition to their status as students, are employees of the State University of New York and are represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU). The terms and conditions of their employment are determined through collective bargaining and are enumerated in the agreement between GSEU and the State University of New York.

Renewing Your Assistantship

  • Typically, positions are awarded with a fall start date, and a two-semester appointment (one academic year).
  • Continuing students need to communicate with their supervisor about renewing their position. Assistantships may be renewed for up to two years after the initial appointment, depending on availability of the position and approval of the assistantship supervisor.

Additional Information

  • Occasionally a position may become available in the spring semester — please inquire as to the availability of these.
  • Not all graduate assistantships are available every year.
  • Applications are reviewed by the department offering the assistantship(s). The department will be in touch should they wish to schedule an interview.
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