The Tuition Reduction Benefit (TRB) refers to resident (in-state) tuition coverage that is provided to students as a benefit of their employment as teaching assistants (TAs), assistant instructors (AIs) and graduate research assistants (GRAs).*
*The benefit is not always available to GRAs. Check with your hiring unit for more information.
Graduate School TRB Rates for Fall and Spring Semesters:
Graduate students employed as TAs, AIs, or GRAs* are eligible for the TRB, the amount of which is determined by the number of hours employed per week during the fall or spring as specified below:
For half-time appointments (20 hours/week) or more, the TRB provides 9 credit hours of resident (in-state) tuition.
For appointments between 10 and 19 hours/week, the TRB provides ½ of the 9- hour resident tuition amount.
For appointments between 1 - 9 hours/week, no TRB is provided.
The TRB is prorated if an AI, TA, or GRA assignment begins after the 12th class day or if the assignment ends before the last day of final exams.
Graduate School TRB Rates for the Summer Semester
Graduate students employed as TAs, AIs, or GRAs* during the summer are eligible for tuition benefits as specified below:
For half-time appointments (20 hours/week) or more, the TRB provides 3 credit hours of resident tuition.
This occurs regardless of the session length or number of sessions.
For appointments between 1 and 19 hours/week, no TRB is provided.
The TRB will be prorated if an AI, TA, or GRA assignment begins after the 4th class day or if the assignment ends before the last day of final exams.
Application of the TRB
The TRB does not pay out directly to the student, but instead is applied to the student’s tuition bills. If a student has paid their tuition bill prior to the application of the TRB to their tuition bill, a refund will be issued in the amount of the TRB. Refunds are processed approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the 12th class day (fall/spring), and 1 to 2 weeks after the 4th class day (summer).
If you have a Zero balance tuition bill after all exemptions and waivers (and before a TRB has been applied), you will not receive a TRB (i.e., when an outside entity pays a student’s tuition in full).
Dual Degree students
The TRB amount will be calculated at 9 hours resident tuition cost of the (Graduate School) Discipline that is shown on your tuition bill.
Tax Considerations
Tax Considerations for Graduate Students
As you prepare to submit your income taxes, make note that Tuition Reduction Benefits are tax-exempt. 100% of the benefit is applied to the tuition bill. No payments are made to students.