I am a second year graduate student in a two year Master's program. In June I was hired as a graduate research assistant, but was told that the position would not qualify for a stipend or tuition waiver. Instead, I am paid $10/hr for 10 hours of work per week. During the past week the professor I work for notified the Dean of our campus that she was in need of another GRA for our project. The Dean immediately assigned a first year student to work with me. However, this student WILL receive a stipend and tuition waiver! A representative from the financial aid department said he had never heard of a situation like mine and recommended that I begin an appeal to the dean of my college. I do not understand how my work doesn't qualify for a stipend/tuition waiver, yet my coworker does.
Has anyone else ever been in this situation? What advice do you have that may help with my appeal?
