Graduate Employee (GE) appointments at .20 FTE (.25 starting Fall 2024) or greater include the following compensation package (with some exceptions in Summer): 

• Salary
• Tuition waiver and mandatory fee subsidy
• GE health insurance
  • International GE health insurance

GE Salary

The UO and the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) establish minimum salary rates through collective bargaining. The minimum rates are listed below; some hiring units are approved by the university to pay at higher rates. 

To calculate the actual gross monthly salary, multiply the 9-month base rate by the assigned FTE, and divide by 9.

See GE Levels for eligibility requirements for each level and GE FTE/Workload for guidelines on converting FTE to total hours expected in the term.  

See GE Levels for eligibility requirements for each level and GE FTE/Workload for guidelines on converting FTE to total hours expected in the term.  

Pay Schedule

Salaries are paid on the last business day of each month. 

GE Tuition Waiver and Fee Subsidy

GE Tuition Waiver

• Each GE receives a tuition waiver for up to 16 credits required for the completion of their degree per term. GEs are responsible for payment of tuition for credits exceeding 16. See Article 23 of the GTFF CBA for details. 
• A graduate student who meets specific GE-related criteria may qualify for a summer tuition waiver.

GE Fee Subsidy

• For students who have a GE appointment in their first term, the matriculation fee is waived.
• Students with GE appointments in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer are responsible for paying $61 per term of their mandatory enrollment fees.
• Some courses (e.g., self-support courses) are assessed fees in lieu of tuition. These courses are not covered by the GE tuition waiver unless they are required by the graduate degree program.
• Some courses include additional fees such as laboratory fees, course fees, or online course fees. These are not covered by the GE fee subsidy and must be paid by the GE.
• GEs are required to pay their portion of the mandatory student fees on time each term. Those paying after the deadline will be assessed an interest penalty. Students may make the minimum payment cited on the billing statement; remaining installments will be subject to interest and billing charges. Review student account and billing information at Business Affairs.
• See Summer Tuition Waiver for information on summer fee subsidies.  

GE Health Insurance

• During Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms, for those with GE appointments, the University will contribute 95% of their health insurance premium costs. See a summary of benefits including current-year plan rates.
• GEs are eligible for insurance during each term of appointment. The insurance plan (currently Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield) is administered by the GTFF. To sign up for insurance or to find out more about premium costs and insurance benefits, contact the GTFF Benefits Administrator Glenn Morris (541-344-0832).

• New GEs are not automatically enrolled for health insurance. GEs must sign up for the insurance directly with the GTFF at the start of each GE appointment contract period. 

  Examples:

  • If you have a full-year GE appointment, you should sign up in fall. Your coverage will be in effect from September 16th - June 15th. 
  • If you have a winter-only appointment, sign up for just winter term. Your coverage will be in effect from December 16th - March 15th. 
  • If you have a gap between GE appointments, you will need to re-enroll for health insurance
• All graduate students, including GEs, are encouraged to use the University Health Center, which offers a comprehensive menu of services .
• Hiring units with insurance-related questions should contact the Division of Graduate Studies (graduatestudies@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5129).

International GE health insurance

• All international students are required to carry health insurance and are automatically enrolled in and billed for the University Health Center's UO International Student Plan. Click here to learn more about the process.
• International GEs who wish to enroll in the GTFF plan instead of the UO's International Student Plan must complete a waiver as part of the GTFF insurance enrollment process. Deadlines apply; please complete the waiver process as early as possible. 
• The waiver will be in effect the entire academic year, so if your GE position ends in the middle of the year, you will need to re-enroll in the UO Student Insurance Plan.

Summer term insurance

• For students with GE appointments in the summer term, the UO pays 95% of the insurance premium for the student and their eligible dependents. See a summary of benefits including current-year plan rates.
• Those who are not summer GEs but who held an appointment in Spring AND are continuing in their program (including those who are on approved leave of absence in Fall) may receive premium coverage subsidized at 85%. Students who have graduated in spring term or who have left the university at the end of spring term are not eligible for this benefit. 

COBRA

• Former GEs are eligible for continuation insurance (COBRA) in the 18 months that follow the end of a GE appointment. Contact the GTFF for more information.