What Can an Assistantship Actually Pay?
This is where students need to read the fine print.
An assistantship package may include some combination of:
1. Tuition reduction or waiver
2. Stipend
3. Health insurance
4. Research funding
5. Teaching income
6. Fellowship support
But packages vary considerably.
For example, Cornell’s published 2026–27 minimum standard nine-month stipend for TA, GA, RA and GRA appointments is $36,684, with its standard assistantship appointments averaging 15 hours per week.
That is one university’s published figure, not a standard amount for every U.S. university.
In Canada, funding can also vary by institution, department and supervisor. UBC, for example, describes funding packages that may combine awards, TA work and RA work.
So don’t choose a university solely because you saw a large stipend advertised.
Look at:
Tuition + stipend + fees + health insurance + estimated living costs.
That is the real picture.