National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

• According to page 23 the Administrator’s Guide “The Intent of Reserve Status is to allow Fellows the flexibility of incorporating professional development opportunities (e.g., GROW, GRIP, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, internships, etc.) into their graduate programs….”

It's possible that UM GR Fellows on TENURE status can also receive supplemental pay for other activities.

1. the paid activity is a “teaching or similar activity” that constitutes a valuable part of the education and training experience of the Fellow;
2. that the amount of such activities is “reasonable”;
3. that the primary purpose of the paid activity is not “service to the institution”; and
4. that the supplemental funding is allowable under the terms of the award.

• A scholarshipped teaching practicum is one way to provide a paid teaching experience to a Fellow without creating a situation in which the service needs of the university (e.g., getting a class covered) is the driving factor.
• An experiential learning program is a way to provide a paid research experience to a Fellow without creating a situation in which the service needs of the university (e.g., advancing a faculty member’s research agenda) are the driving factor.

• According to page 27-28 of the Administrator’s Guide, in the section called Stipend Supplementation, “Each Fellow is expected to devote full time to advanced scientific study or work during the Fellowship Period. However, because it is generally accepted that teaching or similar activity constitutes a valuable part of the education and training of many graduate students and such opportunities may arise during a Tenure year, a Fellow on Tenure may choose to undertake a reasonable amount of such activities without NSF approval. It is expected that furtherance of the Fellow’s educational objectives and the gain of substantive teaching and other experience, not service to the institution as such, will govern these activities. Compensation for such activities is determined by the GRFP Institution, and is based on the institution’s general employment practices. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP Institution about specific policies pertaining to the GRFP and paid activities.
  “Fellows are permitted to solicit and accept, from NSF or other federal and private sources, support for research expenses, such as laboratory supplies, instrumentation usage fees, field-station usage fees, travel expenses, conference/registration fees, workshop expenses, or subscription fees. For Fellows on Tenure, support for living expenses associated with off-site research activities will require approval by the CO. Fellows are required to check with their GRFP Institution about specific policies pertaining to acceptance of any non-federal fellowships.”

GR Fellows on TENURE status who are also receiving graduate assistantships may have to pay back any received funds.

• State of Mississippi rules dictate that state funds (known at UM as “Fund 10 money”), in combination with all other aid (including student loans) cannot exceed a student’s official Cost of Attendance for a given academic year (Fall Semester through August Intersession).
• Therefore, if the Fellow receives any Fund 10 (state-funded) support, including full or partial stipends or tuition waivers associated with graduate assistantships, for any portion of any academic year in which they are also receiving GRFP aid (stipend and Institutional COE allowance), and if the total amount of all of this aid exceeds the Fellow’s calculated Cost of Attendance (COA), then the Fellow may have to pay back part or all of the state portion of this aid.

• The best way for the Fellow to avoid any aid payback situations is for the Fellow to communicate early and often with the CO and the UM Director of Financial Aid about their total anticipated or actual funding (and funding sources) for the year in question.

Yes. UM GR Fellows on TENURE status are offered the university’s graduate student health insurance option.

• UM will pay a portion of the health insurance premiums of GRFP Fellows at the same rate as for graduate students on assistantships[1].
• If there are Cost-of-Education funds available in the institutional allowance (after paying the student’s tuition and fees), an extra allocation will be disbursed to the student’s bursar account to cover the student’s expected contribution to the health insurance package.

The Cost-of-Education (COE) Allowance is administered by the CO

• The CO will first apply the COE towards the Fellow’s tuition, fees (including non-resident fees), and health insurance premiums.
• Any remaining COE funds will be managed by the CO on behalf of the Fellow, consistent with allowable costs of the grant.

Generally, GR Fellows will not be able to receive these funds while on TENURE due to state regulations regarding COE and state funds as well as the NSF restrictions regarding service obligations to the institution.

• Students who receive(d) recruiting fellowships may pause the recruiting fellowship while on TENURE. They can receive the recruiting fellowship award in their RESERVE years.

Similarly, a student with Elite Scholar designation may receive the enhanced stipend for the research assistantship when on RESERVE. However, a student with Elite Scholar designation will not be able to receive the enhanced stipend for the research assistantship while on TENURE.

For non-resident students, the COE Allowance will not be enough to cover both the tuition and the non-resident fees.

• The Provost’s Office will provide Fund 25 monies to cover the difference, so that no GRFP Fellow will have to pay any tuition or fees during their tenure years.