2026-27 Graduate Student Assistantship and Fellowship Stipend Rates
Effective August 21, 2026
| Appointment Type | Minimum Standard 9-Month Stipend | Summer Stipend¹ | 12-Month Stipend2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA (Teaching Assistant) | $36,684 | $12,228 | $48,912 |
| GA (Graduate Assistant) | $36,684 | $12,228 | $48,912 |
| RA (Research Assistant) | $36,684 | $12,228 | $48,912 |
| GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) | $36,684 | $12,228 | $48,912 |
| University Fellowship | $36,684 | $7,779 | $44,463 |
2026-27 Cornell Tech Graduate Student Stipend Rates
Effective August 21, 2026
Funded students located at the Cornell Tech campus generally receive a higher stipend linked to cost of living in the NYC area.
| Appointment Type | 12-Month Stipend |
|---|---|
| TA (Teaching Assistant) | $60,719 |
| GA (Graduate Assistant) | $60,719 |
| RA (Research Assistant) | $60,719 |
| GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) | $60,719 |
| University Fellowship | $60,719 |
[1] Weekly hours spent on summer appointments must comply with University Policy 1.3, and stipend rates must meet the Board of Trustees’ mandated minimum (nine-month) stipend rate, prorated for the number of weeks of the summer appointment. The length of the summer appointment (number of weeks) is determined by the principal investigator, department, unit, college, or other source of funding. $12,228 for a 13-week term assistantship or appropriately prorated.
[2] The maximum stipend a graduate student may receive when any portion comes from Cornell-held funds (university, college, department, unit, or PI-sponsored accounts) is $55,025 for the academic year and $18,341 for the summer. The increase may be from the same funding source as the basic stipend (an “adjustment”) or from a different source (a “supplement”). The limit applies to support from any combination of fellowships or assistantships when part of the stipend is paid from funds held at Cornell.
Standard Graduate Appointment Hours
| Appointment Type | Average Hours/Week for Standard Appointment | Maximum Additional Hours Per Week Permitted |
|---|---|---|
| TA (Teaching Assistant) | 15 | 5 |
| GA (Graduate Assistant) | 15 | 5 |
| RA (Research Assistant) | 15 | 5 |
| GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) | A student's time spent on research connected with the project is expected to be significant. | 5 |
| University Fellowship | N/A | 8 |
Prorated Stipends for Non-Standard Appointments
Minimum stipend rates for non-standard appointments classified as graduate assistantships (TA, GA, RA, or GRA) must be proportional to the board-approved stipend.
Partial assistantships must include tuition proportional to the stipend. That is, if a student receives a partial TAship with 50% stipend for the semester, the hours must be limited to 7.5 or less per week and he or she must receive 50% tuition for that semester in addition to the stipend. Awards that do not provide tuition and stipend in amounts proportional to the hours expected of a regular assistant are not assistantships and should not be portrayed as such.