Teaching Assistants (TA) and Research Assistants (RA) Contract Process

TA-RA Approval Process and Timeline

  • Timeline for the processing of Teaching and Research Assistants contracts (effective April 2018)
  • DocuSign-based TA/RA contracts for Academic Year (AY) 2027 are available for department use.
  • Human Resources (HR) / Payroll deadline to ensure that TA/RA's will be paid for the first pay period in Fall 2026 is: Friday, August 7, 2026 and for Spring 2027 is: Friday, January 1, 2027.

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New Hire Forms: UMass Lowell Human Resources requires that all new student hires use the I-9 form to document both that they are eligible to work in the United States and that their identities match the information on their employment authorization documents. Please visit the HR payroll and Forms page.

Additional information on how to get paid can be found on the Human Resources website.

User Guides for UMass Lowell DocuSign Process

DocuSign Guided Process

Hiring Dates Guidelines (for the 2026 - 2027 academic year)

  • Fall Semester: August 16 - December 12, 2026 (9 pay periods; first paycheck is for half pay period)
  • Spring Semester: January 10 - May 8, 2027 (9 pay periods; last paycheck if for half pay period)
  • Full Academic Year: August 16, 2026 - May 8, 2027 (paid over 20 pay dates; 1st and last paychecks are for half pay periods)

Research Assistant Tuition Contribution

Student Forms

Reduced Credit Approval for Teaching and Research Assistants

* For all Francis College of Engineering students, please send to the Associate Dean.

NOTE: Graduate students interested in applying for TA/RA positions must contact their department office.