by Last verified: 18 October 2026. We checked these University of Idaho graduate assistantship details against official uidaho.edu pages.
Update: the cattle virtual-fencing MS assistantship this page used to cover closed on 15 December 2025. We found no new opening at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, so this guide now explains how assistantships work at Idaho and how international students can get one.
How a University of Idaho graduate assistantship works
Idaho funds graduate students through departments, not a central office. In its own words, all graduate funding through assistantships and scholarships happens “at the departmental level”. So you apply to your programme, then ask that department about funded places.
| Type | Usually paid from | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching assistant (TA) | State funds | Teaching or supporting 101-level courses |
| Research assistant (RA) | Research grants | Lab or field work on a funded project |
| Graduate assistant (GA) | Department | Varies by department |
Assistants who aren’t Idaho residents get an out-of-state tuition waiver, scaled to the size of the assistantship. Stipends vary by department. For example, a Movement Sciences TA paid $16,295 (sixteen thousand two hundred and ninety-five US dollars) for nine months in 2024–25.
Deadlines for funding consideration
| Start term | Priority date (funding) | International deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027 | 15 January 2027 | 15 April 2027 |
| Spring | 1 September | 1 October |
| Summer | 15 January | 1 March |
Idaho publishes these as standing dates each year, and some programmes set earlier ones. Apply by the priority date if you want full consideration for an assistantship. The application fee is $50 (fifty US dollars).
What it costs without funding (2026–27)
- Non-resident graduate tuition and fees: $15,636 (fifteen thousand six hundred and thirty-six US dollars) a semester for 9–20 credits.
- Resident rate: $5,898 (five thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight US dollars) a semester.
- Out-of-state graduate cost of attendance: $51,160 (fifty-one thousand one hundred and sixty US dollars) a year, including living costs.
- Student health insurance: $2,343 (two thousand three hundred and forty-three US dollars) a year.
Worked example
Chidi from Lagos wants an MS in Animal Science for Fall 2027. He applies before 15 January 2027 and emails the department to ask about RA places. If he gets a full out-of-state waiver, the gap between the non-resident and resident rates comes to $9,738 (nine thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight US dollars) a semester, or $19,476 a year. That’s our own calculation, so he asks the department how much of his tuition the waiver will actually cover.
Checklist for international applicants
- Meet the English minimums: IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115, PTE 58, or TOEFL (79 on the old scale; 4.5 on the new one).
- Contact your target department before the priority date.
- Ask whether the stipend, waiver and health insurance are covered.
- Also compare other routes in our guide on how to get a scholarship to study abroad.
Extra costs and proof of funds for international students
- International fee: $380 (three hundred and eighty US dollars) a semester.
- Health insurance: about $2,412 a year.
- I-20 estimated expenses: $51,466 for 2025-26. Idaho hasn’t published the 2026-27 figure yet, so expect a similar or slightly higher amount.
- Application fee: $50, and it can’t be waived for financial hardship.
An assistantship waives out-of-state tuition in proportion to your appointment, but you’ll usually still pay some fees and insurance yourself. Budget for these before you accept. For your visa costs, see our F-1 visa fee guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students get a University of Idaho graduate assistantship?
Yes. Departments award them, and non-resident assistants get an out-of-state tuition waiver.
Does Idaho offer graduate scholarships for international students?
Its main international scholarships are for undergraduates. Graduate funding comes from departments.
Does an assistantship cover all my costs at Idaho?
Not always. It waives out-of-state tuition in proportion to your appointment, but you may still pay the $380 international fee and health insurance.
Official sources
- Official page – Idaho graduate funding
- Official page – application and deadlines
- Official page – tuition and fees
- Official page – cost of attendance
- Official page – international requirements
- Official page – University of Idaho I-20 estimated expenses 2025-26
Funding terms change. Always confirm with your department and the College of Graduate Studies (cogs@uidaho.edu).
