Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share that Ohio State continues to make advances in graduate associate and fellowship compensation to better recruit, retain and support talented students.
Minimum for graduate associate stipends to increase by 8%, effective autumn 2026
As part of FY27 budget planning, and effective at the start of the autumn 2026 semester, the minimum stipend amount for graduate associates will increase by 8%. This will set the current minimum stipend for 50% appointments at $2,897 per month. This equates to a nine-month stipend of $26,073 for 0.5 FTE GAs ($13,037 for 0.25 FTE GAs) and a 12-month stipend of $34,764 for 0.5 FTE GAs ($17,382 for 0.25 FTE GAs).
This further increase to minimum stipends follows the 8% minimum increase that was implemented at the beginning of this current academic year, and a 5% increase to the minimum that was implemented in FY25. I am grateful to our deans for their partnership and leadership, as these increases are funded by the colleges through annual budget planning. As a result of this support, we have been able to increase minimum stipends by 21% over three years.
Fellowship stipends to increase by 8%, effective autumn 2026
Graduate School fellowships will be increased by 8% so that University Fellowships, Graduate School College-Allocated Fellowships, Graduate Access Fellowships, Osmer Fellowships and ENGIE-Axium fellowships are in parity with the new GA minimum stipend of $2,897 per month. Presidential and dissertation-year fellowships will be raised 8% to $3,428 per month. The Graduate School will update the Fellowship Stipend Tables soon to reflect the new levels for 2026-2027. These increases will be funded through the Graduate School’s awards budget.
I join our university leaders in recognizing the need to compete effectively with our peers while supporting our students. This additional increase comes after considering current stipend levels, peer benchmarks, and multiple discussions, including with Council of Graduate Students leaders, Graduate Associate Compensation and Benefits Committee, and deans. I look forward to continued engagement and discussions on this topic.
I am grateful for the support of our university leaders and the ongoing input and advocacy from our graduate community — in addition to Ohio State’s many graduate students who advance teaching, research, and creative inquiry every day across our university.
Sincerely,
Mary Stromberger
Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Education