The Office of Student Employment will have a limited number of Federal Work Study Graduate Assistantships available for the 2008-2009 Academic Year. The stipend will be $12,000, which is the minimum offered to graduate students on assistantships.  The department that will offer the assistantship and employ the student will be responsible for matching 25% of the stipend ($3000.00).  Federal work study will cover the remaining 75% ($9,000.00).  In addition, the department will be responsible for the tuition (up to 18 credits) at the in-state rate.

If the student enrolls in the Health Insurance Plan for graduate assistants, the department will cover one-half of the premium and the student will be responsible for the other half. More information concerning the insurance can be found at www2.umaine.edu/graduate/

Eligible applicants for a work study assistantship must be full time graduate degree students, as well as a citizen or eligible non-citizen.  International students are not eligible, as work study is a Federal Program.

Student Application Process:

• 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received at the processing center by March 1, 2008 for priority consideration.  The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Student must demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA.  Student Financial Aid will work with the student on an individual basis to consider special or unusual circumstances.

Unit/Department Application Process:

• Once the Unit/Department has determined which students they would like to consider for nomination, a list of  those students needs to be sent to Connie Smith on First Class(be sure to include the student’s name and last four digits of their social security number).  The list must be received by Friday, February 29, 2008.
• Office of Student Employment will notify the department which students are eligible to be nominated on or before Friday, March 21, 2008.
• The Unit/Department that will offer the assistantship must complete a nomination form once a candidate is selected.  These forms will be available at the Office of Student Employment and will be due by Friday, April 4, 2008.  Only one nomination per Department.

Please contact the Office of Student Employment at 581-1349 with any questions.