Appointment Guidelines:
Students with a full appointment as a TA, TF, or GSA should not spend more than 20 hours in any week on assistantship activities for which the student is not receiving academic credit. Fractional appointments should not exceed the corresponding fraction of the 20-hour standard.
TAs, TFs, and GSAs who receive appointments in the fall and/or spring terms are expected to complete at least 9 credits or the Full-Time Dissertation Study option in the terms of appointment; those with fractional appointments are expected to register for at least the following number of credits or the Full-Time Dissertation Study option: 3/4 appointment, 9 credits; 1/2 appointment, 6 credits; 1/4 appointment, 3 credits. TAs, TFs, and GSAs who receive appointments in the summer term or in a summer session do not need to be registered for credits or FTDS if their summer appointment is part of an 8- or 12-month appointment. However, if the student’s summer appointment is for 4 months or less, students must register for at least 1 credit or for the Full-Time Dissertation Study option in the summer term or session. International students who begin their graduate programs in the spring preceding a summer appointment should contact Office of International Services (OIS) to determine whether or not they must register for credits or FTDS if they receive a summer appointment.
All appointments are conditioned on students continuing to make satisfactory academic progress towards completing their degree. When a student accepts an appointment in writing, both the student and the program are expected to comply with the terms of the appointment. A department may, during the appointment term, transfer a student, after consultation with the student, from a teaching assignment to a research appointment or to another appropriate appointment that provides for essentially equal financial support and academic and professional training.
Stipend:
The minimum stipends for TAs, TFs, and GSAs are standard throughout the University. Each year the stipend amount will be considered and adjustments made when possible by the Office of the Provost. https://www.gradstudies.pitt.edu/funding/stipends/stipend-rates
Health Insurance:
GSRs who receive full-time or fractional appointments are eligible to enroll in the graduate student health insurance plan at no cost. Students with 8- and 12-month appointments receive 12 months of individual health insurance coverage. Students on 4-month appointments receive 4 months of coverage.
Additional information on regulations can be found here: https://www.gradstudies.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/assets/TATFGSAAcademicRegs6-1-22.pdf