The Graduate School has made changes to the Research Assistant part of the Tuition Benefit Program,
starting summer 2006 as follows:
1) RA tuition benefit for 3 credit hours in summer semesters.
2) RA tuition benefit for a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 11 credit hours in Fall
and Spring semesters for all students with full or partial RA assignment.
3) A new policy that resident (in-state) tuition only is included in the TBP for RAs
once the accumulated credit hours as a graduate student exceed 84. This
condition will be implemented in the semester that cumulative registration
exceeds 84 CH as a University of Utah graduate student.
4) This new policy on in-state residency is to ensure that U.S. citizens apply for Utah
residency once 40 graduate credit hours are reached.
This modification to the existing TBP accomplishes the following:
(1) encourages US citizens to obtain Utah resident status when eligible, and encourages all RAs
to qualify for in-state tuition after accumulating 84 CH by registering for dissertation hours only;
(3) qualifies RAs for summer FICA exemption;
(4) allows RAs to take qualifying exams or defend theses/dissertations during the summer
without tuition burden;
(5) avoids international RAs having to take a formal “vacation semester” to maintain visa status;
and
(6) qualifies RAs for summer use of campus recreation facilities without paying the recreation/
activity fee.
As is currently the case, non-resident students who qualify for the TBP can take additional
credit hours above the TBP limit at in-state rates. This may be helpful for some students who
are disadvantaged by the new, 11 credit-hour limit in the fall and spring. See "Establishing Utah
Residency for Tuition Purposes" at this link for more information on this issue.
