Funding opportunities

The Department of Computer Science views graduate funding as an important investment in student success and the long-term strength of its doctoral program.

Our funding approach is guided by four principles:

1. A strong Ph.D. program is central to the department's mission.
2. Financial support helps students make timely degree progress.
3. Funding should align with students' academic and research responsibilities.
4. The department generally aims for Ph.D. students to receive approximately six semesters of Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) support and four semesters of Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) support over the five-year funding commitment. Note: Individual funding patterns may vary based on faculty research funding and departmental instructional needs.

Ph.D. Funding Commitment

Beginning with the Fall 2026 admission cycle, 100% of admitted Ph.D. students receive a Multi-Year Offer (MYO) that guarantees five years of funding (not including summer semesters).

The funding commitment is contingent upon students:

• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress, as evaluated through the Student Activity Report (SAR) process
• Meeting program milestones
• Fulfilling the requirements of the GRA/GTA appointment.

Funding is provided through a combination of Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs).

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs)

GRAs are the primary funding mechanism for Ph.D. students and are awarded by individual faculty members based on:

• Availability of research funding, and
• Alignment with the faculty member's research program.

Students with External Funding

Students supported by external fellowships or sponsorships (e.g., NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Fulbright, SACM, ICTAS, military, or government sponsorships) remain included in the department's five-year funding commitment.

The department supplements external awards as needed so that students receive funding comparable to the department's standard assistantship package. Once an external award ends, the department provides any remaining semesters of guaranteed funding.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)

Round 1: Ph.D. Funding Priority

The first round prioritizes Ph.D. students who:

• Are making satisfactory academic progress;
• Remain within their five-year funding commitment; and
• Are eligible for departmental GTA support.

Highest priority is given to students with four or fewer semesters of prior GTA support, followed by other eligible Ph.D. students within their funding guarantee.

Round 2: Remaining GTA Opportunities

After Round 1, any remaining instructional needs are filled from an unranked pool of eligible M.S. and Ph.D. students who submitted the GTA Interest Survey by the published deadline.

Assignments are based on:

• Departmental instructional needs;
• Subject matter expertise;
• Prior teaching experience; and
• Qualifications required for specific teaching assignments.

Submission of the GTA Interest Survey does not guarantee a GTA appointment.

Compensation and Benefits

Graduate assistantships are issued as fall, spring, or summer semester appointments.

What an Assistantship Includes

Fall and spring assistantship appointments generally include:

• A competitive monthly stipend paid semi-monthly according to the university payroll schedule.
• An in-state tuition scholarship (enrollment in 12+ credits is required).
• An out-of-state tuition waiver, if eligible (must earn $2000 per semester (fall or sping only) to be eligible)
• Coverage of the College of Engineering supplemental fee.
• A 88% health insurance subsidy for students enrolled in the university-sponsored graduate student health insurance plan.

Summer assistantships provide a stipend but do not include tuition support

Because stipend rates, tuition, and fees are established annually by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, assistantship compensation is updated each academic year. Current rates are communicated with assistantship offers and contracts.

Student Costs

Graduate assistantships do not cover all university charges. Students are typically responsible for:

• Comprehensive fees;
• Commonwealth Facility and Equipment Fee (out-of-state students); and
• Other university fees that are not included as part of the assistantship package.

International students may also be responsible for additional university fees based on visa status.

Monthly Stipend Rates

For information about assistantship appointment dates, eligibility, benefits, tuition remission, health insurance, and university policies, visit the Virginia Tech Graduate School's Graduate Assistantships webpage.

Monthly stipend rates vary by:

• Campus location (Blacksburg or Alexandria);
• Academic milestone (e.g., Qualifier or Preliminary Examination); and
• Appointment period

The department publishes current monthly stipend rates each year.

Why Are New Student Monthly Rates Different?

New graduate assistants begin employment later than continuing assistants because federal regulations require all new employees to complete employment onboarding and I-9 verification in person before beginning work.

Although new students have a shorter fall appointment period, their monthly stipend is adjusted so that total fall semester earnings are equivalent to those of continuing students at the same funding level.

New GRA/GTA Onboarding

New graduate assistants should plan to arrive at least three business days before the start of the semester to complete required employment paperwork. Federal regulations require all new employees to complete I-9 employment verification in person before beginning work.

Late arrival may result in:

• a delayed employment start date;
• loss of pay for days not worked; and/or
• a delay in receiving the first paycheck.

Students should plan their travel accordingly.

Students who have a GTA appointment for the first time are required to take GRAD 5004: GTA Workshop