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

TA-RA Approval Process & Timeline

  • Timeline for the processing of Teaching & Research Assistants contracts (effective April 2018)
  • DocuSign based TA/RA contracts for AY 2024 will be available beginning Monday, June 1, 2023
  • Human Resources / Payroll deadline to ensure that TA/RA's will be paid for the first pay period in the 2024 Spring is: Friday, Jan. 5, 2023.

Log into DocuSign

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 & 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 2023 - 2024 academic year)

  • Fall Semester: Aug. 20 - Dec. 16, 2023 (9 pay periods; first paycheck is for 1/2 pay period)

  • Spring Semester: Jan. 14 - May 11, 2024 (9 pay periods; last paycheck if for 1/2 pay period)

  • Full Academic Year: Aug. 20, 2023 - May 11, 2024 (paid over 20 pay dates; 1st and last paychecks are for 1/2 pay periods)

RA Tuition Contribution


Student Forms


Reduced Credit Approval for Teaching & Research Assistants

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