Graduate Fellowship
Appointees
Handbook
Academic Year
2013-2014
Graduate Awards Office
Suite 212, Bowne Hall
gradawd@syr.edu
The Graduate School
Suite 207, Bowne Hall
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York 13244-1200
Table of Contents
Page
Acceptance of a Graduate Fellowship Appointment
2
Information About Your Fellowship Award
2

Fellowships Funded by Externally Sponsored Grants
2

Payment of Fellowship Stipends
2

Fellowships Funded by External Organizations,
Agencies or Other Group
2

Use of Tuition Scholarship
2

Changing Credit Distribution by Semester
3
Requirements When Holding A Fellowship
3

Registration – Students Must Be Registered
3

Changes In Degree Program
3

Satisfactory Progress
3
Taxation of Scholarships and Fellowships
3
Benefits For Students Holding Fellowships
4

Auditing Courses
4

Fellowships Don’t Require Service/Work
4

Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
4

Eligibility For Medical Benefits
4

Enrolling in the Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
5

Dental and Vision Benefits
5

Health Insurance for Those Not Eligible for the

Subsidized Health Plans
6
SU Health Services
6
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Information for Students
Holding
Graduate Fellowship
Appointments
Acceptance of a Graduate Fellowship Appointment
Syracuse University subscribes to the following Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Resolution concerning
Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants. Most CGS members recognize this resolution .
Acceptance of an offer of financial aid (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the
next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and
graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be
defined carefully and understood by all parties.
Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for
acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer
before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation
of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits
the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a
commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the
student of the written release from a previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations
subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship,
traineeship, and assistantship offer.
Information About Your Fellowship Award
Each School and College awards SU Fellowships based on nominations by their academic departments. SU
Fellows receive a stipend as stated on the certificate of appointment and a tuition scholarship of up to 30 credits for
an academic year.
Payment of Fellowship Stipends
The Graduate Awards Office arranges payment of SU fellowship stipends. Stipends are disbursed in 9 monthly
payments, September through May, and may be picked up at the Fellow's departmental office on or about the 5th of
each month. Students can also choose direct deposit to a bank account by going to MY SLICE, Finances,
View/Update Student Account, Signup for Direct Deposit.
Fellowships Funded By External Organizations, Agencies or Other Group:
If a fellowship is funded (in part or in full) by a sponsored award (U.S. government, private agency/organization, or
foreign government) payments of fellowship stipends, use of tuition scholarships, and changing of credit
distributions by semester will be determined by the terms and conditions of the sponsored award.
Use of Tuition Scholarship
The scholarship credit hours are credited directly to the Fellow's student account through the Bursar Office. The
Scholarship may be applied to tuition charges for graduate courses. In rare instances, undergraduate courses may
be pre-approved by the scholar's advisor. Note, these undergraduate courses will be charged at the graduate rate.
Approval for use of scholarships for undergraduate courses must be sought by submitting a Petition to the Faculty
form. Check with your department for further information.
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The tuition scholarship may NOT be applied to the following: noncredit courses; courses of individual
instruction such as applied music (with the exception of scholars majoring in music); workshop courses where fees
normally cover expenses rather than tuition; undergraduate courses (except as provided in the preceding
paragraph); courses of physical education that will not count towards degree requirements; any audited courses;
and courses taken at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry or Upstate Medical Center at
Syracuse, unless certified as required in a degree program.
Changing Credit Distribution By Semester
A fellow's tuition scholarship is awarded as stated on the certificate of appointment. In order to alter the semester
credit configuration, a fellow must seek the permission of his or her academic department and once
approved the school or college must submit the change to Graduate Awards to update the record. Unused
scholarship credits become void if unused. It is the student’s responsibility to pay close attention to other academic
and financial deadlines. These deadlines may affect the use of tuition scholarship credits.
Requirements When Holding a Fellowship
Registration – Students Must Be Registered
All graduate students holding a fellowship or assistantship in a given semester will be considered full-time students
for that semester by virtue of their holding that award. Students must be registered each semester their degree
is in progress. If coursework has been completed, students must register for GRD 998 ("degree in progress") for
zero credits.
Changes In Degree Program
Fellowships are offered to students in specific programs of study by their college of matriculation. If a student
decides to change his/her program, the fellowship may no longer be available. Award holders must discuss
changes with their academic department (or graduate program director, if appropriate).
Satisfactory Progress
Fellowship appointments are made by academic departments contingent upon the Fellow maintaining good
academic standing, and showing satisfactory progress toward the degree.
Taxation of Scholarships/Fellowships
As defined by the Internal Revenue Service, scholarships/fellowships are amounts paid for the benefit of an
individual in the pursuit of study or research.
A qualified scholarship or fellowship grant is tax free only if, among other things, the recipient is a candidate for a
degree at an educational institution. Qualified scholarship and fellowship grants are amounts paid for tuition and
fees required to enroll in, or to attend, an educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment that
are required for the courses at the educational institution.
Amounts paid for incidental expenses are taxable. Incidental expenses include expenses for room and board,
travel, research, clerical help, equipment, and other items not required for either enrollment or attendance at an
educational institution, or in a course of instruction at the educational institution.
Tax rules for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents differ from those for Nonresident Aliens. More detailed
information about taxation of scholarships and fellowships can be found on the Syracuse University Comptroller’s
Website at: http://comptroller.syr.edu/comptroller/display.cfm?content_ID=%23%2BH%21%28%0A
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Benefits for Students Holding Fellowships
Auditing Courses
Graduate students holding a fellowship are entitled to audit courses during the fall and spring semesters at no
charge as a result of their holding an award. Permission of the instructor must be obtained by completing a
“Grading Option Application Form” with the instructor’s signature. The form is then returned to the Student Records
Office at 106 Steele Hall. (Forms are available at the Student Records Office, or your academic department.)
Scholarship credits may not be used for auditing courses during a summer semester.
Fellowships Don’t Require Service/Work
Fellows are not required to provide any service to the University in return for their award. They are to devote full
time to study and research and are expected to do no other work while receiving fellowship support. Fellows
should direct questions and report problems regarding any aspect of their awards to the Graduate Awards Office
promptly.
In rare instances, an opportunity may present itself to a fellow that enhances his/her academic work. There are
specific requirements regarding employment during a fellowship year. Permission must be approved by the
Graduate Awards Office in consultation with the advisor or graduate program director. The advisor or graduate
program director should contact Lynda Mason, Director of Graduate Awards, 443.1701 or ljmason@syr.edu for
more information.
 Please note: Students cannot hold two full-time graduate appointments.
Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits
Health, dental and vision benefits are available to eligible fellows. Questions on eligibility should be directed to the
Human Resources Service Center at 315.443.4042 option 1. or visit the website at:
http://humanresources.syr.edu/benefits/
You may also visit a Human Resources Center:
 Skytop Office Building, (South Campus), Room 101, 315.443.4042 option 1;
 210 Steele Hall, Student Employment Services
 Email: hrservic@syr.edu
Eligibility For Medical Benefits
University Fellows are generally eligible to participate in the University’s subsidized health care plans. Spouses,
unmarried dependents, and domestic partners will also be eligible for medical, prescription, dental and vision
coverage to the extent they satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements set forth in documents maintained by the
Office of Human Resources, and will be known as qualifying dependents if such requirements are satisfied.
If a new qualifying dependent is not enrolled within 31 days after first being eligible, the dependent will not
be eligible to be enrolled in the applicable plan until the next open enrollment period. For open enrollment
elections, the dependent’s coverage will be effective January 1. If federal law requires an earlier special enrollment
period, such earlier special enrollment period will apply. Additionally, an appointee who experiences a qualifying life
event change may make changes outside of this enrollment period, within 31 days of the event. Qualifying life
events are: marriage, divorce, death, birth/adoption, loss of benefit coverage, or loss of student status. In addition,
the IRS allows an eligible plan participant to drop coverage mid-year if his/her spouse’s open enrollment includes
new coverage options not previously available. If you experience such a life event change and wish to make
changes to your benefits, you must contact the Human Resources Service Center within 31 days of the event.
Specific questions on the eligibility should be directed to the Human Resources Service Center at 315.443.4042,
option 1, or http://humanresources.syr.edu/benefits/
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Enrolling In the Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
How to Enroll: Prior to the opening of the fall semester, benefits eligible Graduate Students will receive a welcome
email from Human Resources. This email will outline how students will learn about and enroll in SU Benefits. Also
included in the email will be the list of Benefit Education Sessions presented by Human Resources. These sessions
are designed specifically for Graduate Students, and outline the medical, prescription, dental, and vision options
available. It is highly encouraged that all newly eligible Graduate Students attend one of the sessions. If students
have additional questions they can also visit the Human Resources Office located in the Skytop Office Building,
South Campus, Room 101. Students may also call 315.443.4042 option 1 or send an email to hrservic@syr.edu . If
students do not receive an email notification by the end of August, they should contact Human Resources directly.
 Important Deadline: It is important to enroll in the University's group medical and prescription drug
plans within the first 31 days of the fellowship appointment effective date.
Any elections that are chosen will be effective on the fellowship appointment effective date. The University is bound
by strict rules regarding when one may enroll in the University subsidized medical and prescription drug plans.
Students coming into their first fellowship appointment may enroll within the first 31 days of their appointment. In
subsequent appointment years, students may only enroll during the “Open Enrollment” period, which usually is
announced in the middle of the fall semester. Consequently, appointees should plan their future health coverage
carefully. For example, new fall 2013 fellowship appointees have 31 days from the effective start date of their fall
appointment to enroll. New spring 2014 fellowship appointees not previously in a benefits-eligible position the
previous semester, must enroll within 31 days from the effective start date of their spring appointment.
Appointees continuing their appointment into the spring 2014 semester who held an appointment the previous
semester and did not enroll in the medical and prescription drug plans for the fall 2013 semester, and also did not
enroll during the 2013 Open Enrollment period are not eligible to enroll in the University’s medical and prescription
drug plans during the spring 2014 semester. Contact the Human Resources Service Center for additional
information regarding enrollment.
SU offers the following medical and prescription drug plan options to all benefits-eligible fellows: SUBlue,
SUOrange, and SUPro. All three plan options include medical benefits administered by POMCO and prescription
drug benefits administered by Express Scripts. Additional information can be reviewed at
https://humanresources.syr.edu/benefits/Medical.html.
Dental and Vision Benefits
University Fellows who have a fall 2013 appointment and who satisfy the other applicable eligibility requirements
specified by the Office of Human Resources will be offered the opportunity to enroll in dental and vision insurance
within 31 days of the start of their appointment. Any elections that are chosen will be effective as of the
fellowship appointment effective date. Enrollment into the dental and vision plans generally is a two year
commitment - as long as you have a fellowship you must retain your selected coverages for the remainder
of the applicable two year cycle. The current University 2 year cycle is for 2013-2014, You will be able to change
coverage (and start a new 2 year commitment if continually eligible) in the Fall 2014 Open Enrollment (with a
January 1, 2015 effective date).
It is important to enroll in these plans within the first 31 days of the fellowship appointment effective date.
The University is bound by strict rules regarding when one may enroll in the dental and vision plans. Eligible
students coming into their first fellowship appointment may enroll within the first 31 days of their appointment. In
subsequent appointment years they may only enroll during Open Enrollment. Consequently, appointees should
plan their future dental and vision coverages carefully. For example, new fall 2013 fellowship appointees have 31
days from the effective start date to enroll. New spring 2014 fellowship appointees should contact the Office of
Human Resources for information about when they will be eligible for these benefits. Appointees continuing in
January 2014 who held an appointment the previous semester and did not enroll in the dental and vision plan for
the fall semester or during Open Enrollment are not eligible to enroll in the dental and vision plan in the spring 2014
semester. Contact the Human Resources Service Center for additional information regarding enrollment.
Eligible fellows may elect a preventive or comprehensive dental plan. Plan information can be reviewed at
https://humanresources.syr.edu/benefits/DeltaVision.html.
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You may also elect to enroll in vision coverage. Enrollment in the VSP vision plan is tied to your Delta Dental plan.
The vision plan is not available as a separate option yet you may elect to take dental only.
Health Insurance For Those Not Eligible For the Subsidized Health Plans
For those students not eligible for the University’s medical and prescription drug plans, the University strongly
recommends the purchase of health insurance to cover medical expenses incurred, such as emergency room care,
hospitalization, prescription medications and specialized services. Student health plans are available for purchase for
all registered students, their spouses, eligible domestic partners and eligible dependents. The plans offer worldwide
coverage for injuries, illness and the associated medical expenses during the premium year of August 1 – July 31, as
specified by the plan. Details on the plan are available through:
 Haylor, Freyer & Coon (insurance brokers) at www.haylor.com/student, 1-800-289-1501.
For additional information, contact the Health Services Insurance Coordinator at 315.443.2668, or lldeon@syr.edu.
Website: http://students.syr.edu/health/
SU Health Services
The Syracuse University Health Center provides some basic health services to eligible students. There is a Health
Service Fee charged during the fall and spring semesters for full-time students. The health service fee is remitted for
full-time appointments and prorated for partial appointments.
Questions About Graduate Awards: by email: gradawd@syr.edu
by phone: 315.443.2298
 Please Note: Benefits are subject to change without notice. If there are any inconsistencies between the benefits
described above and the formal plan, policy, contract or program that specifies the applicable requirements for such
benefits, the terms of that formal plan, policy, contract or program shall control.
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