As a graduate assistant employed with Texas A&M Engineering (the Texas A&M University College of Engineering and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station), see information you need to know about. These include health, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Benefits
Health insurance benefits are elected through Workday via Single Sign On (SSO) during the onboarding process. Employees must enroll in or decline coverage within 31 days of hire or they will be placed in our default health plan (A&M Care Plan for staff/faculty; grad health plan for graduate assistants) on the employer contribution eligibility date.
New employees have a 60-day waiting period before becoming eligible for employer contribution toward the insurance premiums, but may begin coverage on the following dates:
- Hire date (notify Engineering Benefits at engrbenefits@tamu.edu 5 days prior to your hire date. Or call 979-458-8406)
- First of the month after hire date (notify Engineering Benefits at engrbenefits@tamu.edu before the 15th of the month prior to insurance start date. Or call 979-458-8406)
- Employer contribution eligibility date (default start date)
As a new employee you may elect to begin coverage prior to the employer contribution eligibility date and will pay the full cost for the insurance plan(s) until you have met the 60-day waiting period.
International Student Insurance Fee - International students enrolled in the grad plan can receive a waiver for the international student insurance plan if their coverage starts on or before Sept. 1 in the fall and Jan. 31 in the spring. For more information on the waiver or System Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) plan, visit the International Student Services website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits
Q. What is the basic coverage?
A. The grad plan and basic life are covered entirely by your employer.
Q. How do I get a waiver for the SHIP fee?
A. Students enrolled in the grad plan on or before Sept. 1 for the fall and Jan. 31 for the spring will automatically receive a waiver for the SHIP fee. Your work authorization and visa must be current in Workday to receive a waiver.
Q. Do I need to do anything during open enrollment?
A. You can make changes to your benefits during open enrollment, but do not have to. If you would prefer to remain enrolled in your current plans, you do not have to fill out your open enrollment event.
Q. Can I participate in a retirement program?
A. Graduate assistants are not eligible for the Teacher Retirement System plan or the Optional Retirement Program, but can participate in a tax deferred account or the Texa$aver deferred compensation program. There is no employer contribution to these accounts.
Graduate Assistant Resources
See benefit and graduate student resources available to graduate assistants enrolled at Texas A&M University.
Grad plan highlights, general overview: AcademicBlue brochure
Find a Doctor: BlueCross BlueShield of Texas Search link
Find a Pharmacy: Prime Therapeutics
Grad Plan Health Benefits, detailed description of plan and benefits offered through the graduate health plan: AcademicBlue
Student Counseling Services, counseling resources available to Texas A&M College of Engineering students: Zachry Counseling & Psychological Services
MyStrength, Mental Health Tool: AcademicBlue myStrength Flier
Services for Students, a list of services that Texas A&M provides to students
Tuition, fees and payments: Texas A&M Student Business Services website
Additional Information Regarding Benefits
- Employee Benefits Guide
- The Texas A&M University System Benefits Administration
- MyEvive – Portal to all your benefit providers
- Additional Benefit Information