student research assistants

hiring criteria (provost regulated)
Undergraduate students working on degree-related projects for payment.

30-day prior rule
You must have a request in its completed form at least two (2) pay periods (or 30 days) prior to the due date of timesheets.

appointment form
Each section needs to be completed legibly. No omissions. The form downloaded needs to be printed onto yellow paper and copied to white paper--both are submitted to Phyllis M. Bibb. The Department/Organization is the area to be charged. The Start Date of the appointment must be understood by the student. The student needs to complete his/her payroll forms within three (3) days of that initial hire date.

required student forms
These forms are required for SRAs. All of these forms are to be completed at the Budget Office, Room A205 with Phyllis M. Bibb.
  • I-9 Form [PDF]
      The Federal Law Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) requires that employers examine documents on all new (and any prior in the case of a lapse in employment of 6 months) employees. This is to verify identity, U.S. citizenship, or the authorization of aliens to be employed in the U.S. They are required to complete the form I-9 to attest to the verification. Also proper original forms of I.D. must be available for record photocopying.
  • Tax Forms - both are required for U.S. citizens; non-U.S. citizens will be sent to a tax specialist
  • Direct Deposit Form [PDF] - direct deposit is mandatory; no hand-written documents accepted
  • Selective Service Compliance Form [PDF] - required for males only
Failure to complete this procedure will preclude the person being employed without exception. If the required documents are not available, the student must not work.

pay rate schedule
Effective: August 16, 2007
Student Research Assistant (undergraduate)
  • New (1st year) student, no previous experience -- $8.82 - $9.93
  • 2nd year student or new student with some lab experience as of the end of the current spring semester -- $8.97 - $10.22
  • 3rd year student or equivalent in experience as of the end of the current spring semester -- $9.34 - $10.52
  • 4th year student or equivalent in experience as of the end of the currentspring semester -- $10.82 - $13.00
  • Example: Ben will finish his second year in May 2008. He will be working over the summer. He may be paid at the third year rate ($9.34 - $10.52).
The maximum school-approved rate is $13.00 per hour.

work week restrictions

Work weeks are normally restricted to ten (10) hours per week for the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer.

Social Security Exemption: Undergraduates must be registered for at least six (6) semester hours to be exempt from social security (FICA) taxes and work under 20 hours per week. However, during the academic year the Engineering School permits no more than ten (10) hours per week. Otherwise, approval is needed by Undergraduate Programs Dean.

Undergraduates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 to be considered for academic year employment and at least 2.0 for the summer.

If your budget has been restricted, please call Phyllis M. Bibb at 434.924.3594 or e-mail at pmb9f@virginia.edu.

Requests for exceptions to these rules must be placed in writing and approved by Dean P. Marshall in Thornton A122 and carbon copied to Phyllis M. Bibb, Thornton A205.


office hours
In order to meet the Main Payroll's deadline, Phyllis M. Bibb's office door will be closed for assisting in completing any type of documentation the entire week that the timesheets are due. Any payroll forms that are not timesheets may be dropped off in the mail baskets adjacent from the office door.
university of virginia school of engineering & applied science