As a result of the ratified agreement between Rutgers AAUP-AFT and Rutgers University, current Teaching and Graduate Assistants (TA/GAs) enrolled in doctoral programs who have advanced to candidacy as determined by program guidelines are eligible for funding extensions for Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022.
The union has been advised that each academic unit has established an online portal where eligible TA/GAs can apply for funding extensions. Although the application process may differ depending on your academic unit, you will be asked to provide basic information—e.g., your anticipated dissertation completion date, the number of years you’ve been in the program, and whether the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted your degree progress.
If you have not been provided a link to apply for funding extensions, please contact your Graduate Program Director. Please note that the union, as of last week, was advised that some links direct applicants to an “expired” webpage. While we’ve been assured that the broken links have since been corrected, if you’re directed to an expired link, please email the union at [email protected].
The application deadlines are:
- May 1, 2021 for Summer 2021 applications
- June 1, 2021 for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 applications
Please note that TA/GAs are able to apply for funding extensions cumulatively in one application. Also note that while communications from Rutgers “strongly encouraged” grads to apply no later than March 30, we were assured by Academic Labor Relations that anyone who applies by the above deadlines will not be penalized or considered ineligible. Unfortunately, ALR did not clarify the deadlines publicly, but this is the policy that was described to us. If your Graduate Program Director doesn’t accept applications through May 1 and June 1, email us at [email protected].
We strongly encourage all TA/GAs who are eligible for funding extensions to apply. TA/GAs who receive funding extensions will retain their union salary, state employee health insurance, and tuition remission benefits. If you’re unsure if you’ve advanced to candidacy consistent with your program guidelines and are unable to determine eligibility before the deadlines, we encourage you to apply anyway.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the union at [email protected] if you have questions or concerns about the graduate funding extension program.