Graduate Program Frequently Asked Questions – Current Students

The Tuition Benefit Program (TBP) provides tuition coverage for eligible graduate assistants who hold qualifying RA, TA, or fellowship appointments at specified levels and credit loads. Eligibility is determined by Graduate School policy and includes requirements for appointment type, minimum FTE, academic standing, and degree level.

First confirm whether you still have a qualifying assistantship or fellowship and meet the enrollment requirements. If you believe you should be eligible, contact the Graduate Advisor or the Graduate School tuition benefit office promptly to review your appointment and coding.

This message usually indicates that the system does not see a qualifying RA or TA job linked to your record for that term. The department and Graduate School must verify your appointment and job code to ensure that tuition benefit is applied correctly.

TA and grader hours are allocated based on course enrollment, instructional needs, and available funding. When enrollment changes, the department may shift hours between courses or redistribute TA assignments while keeping individual appointments within Graduate School workload limits.

Track your tasks and approximate hours for a short period, then discuss your concerns with your supervisor, focusing on how duties compare to your contracted FTE. If issues persist, consult the DGS or Graduate Advisor and, if necessary, relevant college or Graduate School offices.

The intent form notifies the department and Graduate School that you plan to take your PhD qualifying exam in a specific semester. It allows staff to confirm eligibility and schedule, and to ensure that your committee and coursework align with program expectations.

After your advisor and committee agree that you are ready, you must select a defense date and time, reserve a room or set up a virtual option, submit the required defense announcement information to the department, and provide your thesis or dissertation to the committee by the program’s review deadline.

Committee changes shortly before a defense are unusual and must be approved by your advisor, the DGS, and often the Graduate School. Requests are more likely to be approved when there is a clear reason (such as a faculty move or prolonged unavailability) and the new committee still meets Graduate School composition rules.

You and your advisor should make reasonable efforts to contact the faculty member through multiple channels. If those efforts fail, the department can help determine whether to assign a replacement member or an alternate arrangement that still complies with Graduate School policy.

Students are expected to provide the document far enough in advance for meaningful review, often at least two to three weeks depending on department standards. Insufficient review time can lead to requested postponements or additional revisions after the defense.

If you miss the Graduate School or Thesis Office deadline for defense or final submission, you generally cannot graduate in that term. You must reapply to graduate for a later term and maintain the required registration until all degree requirements are complete.

Reapplying to graduate means submitting a new graduation application (or reapplication form) for the semester in which you now expect to finish. This is required when a missed deadline or incomplete requirement delays your original graduation plan.

Grade changes normally start with the course instructor or research advisor, then move through department approval (Graduate Advisor, DGS, or chair) before being sent to the Registrar. Different levels (undergraduate vs. graduate courses) may route differently, so follow the instructions provided by the department.

When the work associated with an interim or incomplete research grade is complete, your advisor submits a grade‑change form indicating the final grade. The department then routes the form to the Registrar according to university procedures.

Continuous registration means graduate students are expected to remain enrolled each required term (usually fall and spring) from admission until the degree is completed, unless a formal leave of absence is approved. Falling out of continuous registration may affect your student status, access to campus resources, and eligibility for funding.

Graduate programs typically have maximum time limits for completing degree requirements. Students who approach or exceed these limits may need to petition for an extension or, in some cases, revalidate coursework or retake exams to demonstrate current competency.

Graduate students are generally required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in graduate‑level coursework. Falling below this threshold can result in academic probation or dismissal and may affect eligibility for assistantships and tuition benefit.

In some circumstances, students may request a formal leave of absence—for example, for medical, family, or other serious reasons. Leaves must be approved in advance by the department and Graduate School, and students should understand how a leave affects time‑to‑degree, funding, and visa status (for international students).

Internships, visiting scholar arrangements, and similar activities must be coordinated with your advisor, department staff, and, when relevant, International Student & Scholar Services. Students should not assume that an off‑campus or international arrangement is approved until all required university processes are completed.