For those of you with financial awards, this memorandum will serve as a helpful reference guide during the entire academic year. The first order of business is that graduate assistantship assignments should begin on August 3, 2008 and the first paycheck is issued August 22 if all paperwork is received and in order no later than August 12. International fellows must complete tax forms as discussed in detail below, but domestic fellows without an additional graduate assistantship need not submit any such forms.

This is a lot of information to digest, yet it is necessary to activate your award. Questions may be posed via email prior to your arrival at tazelaar@umd.edu .

See you soon!

Sharon Tazelaar
Coordinator, Finance

Finance Memo

• Download the Memo 
• Tax Documents
• Second Year Students
• Timesheets
• Benefits
• Tuition Remission
• Contact Information

Important Forms and Documents

• Citizenship Status Form
• Instruction for MD Residents (W-4)
• MD Residents (W-4)
• DC Residents (W-4)
• Request for Taxpayer Identification (W-9)
• Attachment to Request for Taxpayer Identification (W-9 Attachment)
• Direct Deposit Authorization
• Graduate Assistant Blank Timesheet (Fall)
• Graduate Assistant Blank Timesheet (Spring)
• Payroll Schedule
• Tax Withholding (W-8BEN)
• Exemption of a Nonresident Alien Individual (8233)
• INS Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9)
• Benefits Booklet
• Benefits Enrollment Form
• Tuition Remission Instructions

TAX DOCUMENTS

All GAs and fellows will complete the Maryland W4 unless residing in the District of Columbia. Instructions for the W4 are attached. International students must bring their temporary social security card and the envelope in which it was mailed, as well as a completed Citizenship Status form. Fellows with a tax treaty will complete the W8BEN, and those with a GA or ˝ GA & ˝ fellowship will complete the 8233 form. International students may schedule an appointment at the email address below to submit their forms. U.S. Citizens will complete the I9, W4 and direct deposit forms and may arrive on a walk-in basis with completed forms July 28 through August 1 or thereafter. Identification is necessary for all in the form of a driver’s license and social security card, or a passport. All forms should be filled out in BLACK INK ONLY.  Originals with signatures must be submitted in person – faxes or electronically submitted forms will not be accepted. Further information may be viewed at www.uhr.umd.edu.

SECOND YEAR STUDENTS

Please email a copy of the AY2009 award letter from Dean Powers. If forms were submitted for AY2008 including an I9, domestic students may mail originally signed forms to the address below. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, who must complete forms every academic year and provide a copy of their visa and I94. Process the electronic Tuition Remission form at www.ares.umd.edu.  If you have received a fellowship, you may address any questions prior to your arrival to tazelaar@umd.edu.

TIMESHEETS

Blank time sheets are attached for all graduate assistants to record their work hours. Begin to submit according to the fall or spring payroll dates at the top of the page.  A full assistantship requires 20 hours or less per week for a total of 300 hours each semester or 600 per academic year. A half assistantship requires 10 hours or less per week for a total of 150 hours each semester or 300 per academic year. Payments are divided equally over 22 pay periods regardless of the time record.  Dean Powers will provide  assignments, and time sheets will not be accepted unless signed by a designated supervisor.

BENEFITS

Graduate assistants may also enroll in our benefits programs but will pay a bi-weekly premium. Once plans are selected, submit the completed ‘2009 Benefits Enrollment Form’ with the tax forms mentioned above. Leave all spaces blank where information is unknown. If all paperwork is correctly submitted by August 1, the earliest benefits will activate is by August 30. However, missed premiums may be paid for retroactive coverage back to August 3 if necessary.

TUITION REMISSION

This may only be done after all paperwork is received and an appointment is active in the electronic system. Fellowship awards are processed in a separate system and deposited directly to students’ accounts. It normally takes 24 – 48 hours before the tuition credits are applied to student accounts as well as converting out-of-state students to in-state residency for those with a GA award. Student accounts are accessed through Testudo at www.umd.edu.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sharon Tazelaar
Finance Coordinator
UMCP-School of Public Policy
2115 Van Munching Hall
College Park, MD 20742