| How are physics graduate students paid? |
| Physics graduate students are all paid on the second to the last day of each month, for that current month. The first payday of the academic year is in late October, the last is late June. The summer pay period begins in late July. Fellowship recipients are paid through Caltech in twelve equal monthly installments. Research assistants (GRAs) are paid in twelve equal monthly installments during the academic year and summer. Teaching assistants (TAs) are paid in nine equal monthly installments during the academic year only. Students who TAs during their first academic year will be supplemented with a small Institute Fellowship over the following summer in the form of a reading grant. A reading grant requires that you register for 36 units of a reading course (Ph 171) with a faculty member, and remain on campus over the summer. Alternatively, you may wish to seek out a research assistantship over the summer which could pay substantially more than the reading grant. A summer GRA requires the student to be registered for 36 units of research with a faculty member. GRA and TA stipends increase modestly each academic year and financial aid is usually renewed provided the student is in good standing with the Institute, meaning current registration, on track with requirements, passing courses, etc. It is also possible to combine GRAs, TAs and certain fellowships for additional funding beyond the first year. Graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of the automatic payroll deposit option, the forms are available in the Payroll Department. Paychecks will be available in the Physics Department Office, Room 110 E. Bridge, after 10 am on the second to the last day of each month, or the next working day. |
| What are the typical GRA, GTA and Fellowship stipends? |
| For the 2009-2010 academic year, entering GRA stipends are $26,160 over twelve months, TA stipends are at least but not limited to $16,704 over nine months, Institute Fellowships are $25,000-30,000 over twelve months, and Physics Department Fellowships are $30,000 over twelve months. Summer 2009 reading grants for first year TAs will be calculated based on the TA salary and the Dean's current minimum yearly amount and paid over three months. Summer GRAs for students who TA during their first academic year begin at $9456 over three months. National Science Foundation Fellowship (NSF) stipends are $30,000 over twelve months for three years. First year NSF, Hertz, DoD or other outside fellowship recipients who were initially offered an Institute Fellowship, TA or GRA, will receive a change of financial aid notice adjusting the yearly amounts accordingly. It may be possible to perform additional TA duties in subsequent years to further increase your stipend. |
Physics, Math & Astronomy |
Graduate Study & Research Physics Graduate Office October 2009 |