Supplemental Compensation

The Basics

  • Additional compensation for GAs, from any source, must be processed using the Supplemental Compensation for Graduate Assistants/Associates web form in UAccess Employee>Manager Self Service ("sup comp"). 
  • Only students concurrently appointed as a GA, or a GA for the proceeding major semester semester if processing for winter or summer compensation, can be compensated via the sup comp form. 
  • A GA may not receive supplemental compensation past the end of their appointment if they have graduated the previous semester. 
  • A continuing GA must be hired on sup comp during the summer months to maintain their exempt employment status and associated benefits.

Compensation Limits

GAs are limited to working no more than 26.4 hours per week if domestic and 20 hours per week if international total compensation while classes are in session (.66 FTE or .50 FTE), including the GA position and any additional on-campus position to prevent them from becoming eligible for employee health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), eligible sup comp hours should be calculated as the difference between .66 FTE (26.4 hours) and the GA FTE.   For example, if the GA is on a .50 FTE (20 hours per week) then the GA may receive sup comp of 6.4 hours per week. Colleges/departments may set lower maximum limits.

Employment for international students on F-1 or J-1 visas must be limited to twenty (20) hours per week (.50 FTE) while classes are in session. This is a federal regulation and departments are responsible for compliance. Please contact International Student Services at 621-4627 for additional information.    

Class break periods allow some additional hours and F-1/J-1 visa restrictions no longer apply.

  • Winter Break (12/20/2024-01/14/2025) 
    • Students graduating in December or January with a terminal degree cannot continue in any student positions after graduation.  Those individuals that are interested in continued employment would need to be hired into faculty, staff, or post-doc positions.
    • School is not in session but students are still being paid for their GA appointments.  Students may be compensated up to the difference between .875 (35 hours) and the GA FTE.  Students should not be working and cannot be compensated for December 24 and December 25 or  January 1 (official University holidays).  GAs on academic appointments are not required to put in hours during the break. Any hours worked must be paid via supplemental compensation.  If you have any questions, please contact Julie Treanor at 621-5193 or treanorj@arizona.edu for additional assistance.
  •   Summer Break 2024:  05/13/2024 - 08/23/2024
  •   Summer Break 2025:  05/19/2025 - 08/22/2025
    • GAs on supplemental compensation as summer hires who are continuing as GAs in the fall are limited to no more than 35 hours per week total compensation during the summer. 
    • GAs receiving summer supplemental compensation that will continue as GAs for the following Fall should be enrolled for 6 units for the fall term to prevent any accumulation of time toward Arizona State Retirement (ASR) eligibility causing both the hiring unit and student to pay toward ASR.*
    • Departments should ask GAs about plans to teach for Summer Session BEFORE submitting summer supplemental compensation forms in order to avoid potential excess of allowable FTE.
    • Continuing fiscal GAs may be compensated up to the difference between .875 (35 hours) and the GA FTE. 
    • Students graduating in May or August with a terminal degree cannot continue in any student positions after the end of the spring semester.  Those individuals that are interested in continued employment would need to be hired into faculty, staff, or post-doc positions.
    • Grad students who are not continuing as GAs or hired in any other student employment position for the Fall or who are completing their degree during the summer may be hired on supplement compensation without Fall enrollment required. However, the hiring unit and the student should be aware that the student MAY meet ASRS requirements leading them to have to contribute to ASRS*.
    • Students should not be working and cannot be compensated for Memorial Day observed, Juneteenth or Independence Day.  Please refer to the University's holiday schedule to exact dates, if needed.    

*Arizona law requires anyone who is employed at 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) or more for a period of 20 weeks or more in a fiscal year to participate in a recognized State of Arizona retirement plan, with the exception of postdoctoral scholars and any employee exempt from FICA taxation. https://policy.arizona.edu/employment-human-resources/retirement-policy

Enrollment Requirements

GAs on supplemental compensation are not normally required to enroll during winter or summer session to maintain eligibility. GAs planning to complete their degrees during winter or summer while still earning supplemental compensation will need to work with their department to determine eligibility. Continuing students that do not have to enroll will have FICA taxes withheld from their paychecks.