9-Month Faculty and Graduate Assistants
Overview of Pay Changes for Faculty and Graduate Assistants with 9-month Appointments
Starting in August 2026, faculty and graduate assistants who have 9-month appointments will receive an additional paycheck in mid-August to align with the beginning of the appointment period. With this change, 9-month faculty and graduate assistants will receive 19 paychecks throughout the course of their appointment instead of 18 paychecks. This new pay schedule will allow the University of Arkansas to pay faculty and graduate assistants for time worked immediately instead of the past model which paid in fixed installments regardless of dates worked.
In early August, faculty and graduate assistants with 9-month appointments will receive their first paycheck for days worked from August 10 – 14, 2026. They will receive their normal paycheck at the end of the month for August 15 – 31, 2026, and will be paid twice a month through the end of April. In May 2027, 9-month faculty and graduate assistants will receive a paycheck for the end of their appointment for days worked in the first part of May (May 1-9). More information is included in the following frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Faculty and Graduate Assistants with 9-month appointments will receive an additional paycheck in early August for a prorated amount for days worked from August 10 through August 14, 2026. They will also receive a paycheck for a prorated amount for days worked during the first part of May (May 1-9) at the end of their 9-month appointment. The pay schedule for their remaining paychecks will remain the same, and they will be paid twice a month, usually on the 15th and last business days of each month.
No. This change will allow the university to pay 9-month faculty and graduate assistants immediately for time worked at the beginning and end of their appointments. In the past, pay for 9-month faculty and graduate assistants was divided between 18 equal paychecks over the course of their appointment. With this new pay schedule, 9-month faculty and graduate assistants will receive 19 paychecks to account for days worked in early August and early May.
The changes to this new pay schedule for 9-month faculty and graduate assistants will be implemented in August 2026, with the first paycheck being issued on August 14 for time worked between August 10 – 14, 2026. Beginning in August 2026, 9-month faculty and graduate assistants will receive a total of 19 paychecks over the course of their 9-month appointment with the first and last paycheck being prorated for the days they worked in early August and early May.
No. Benefits will continue to be deducted over 17 paychecks as they are today for benefit-eligible faculty and graduate assistants with 9-month appointments.
If you have additional questions, contact your supervisor, HR partner, or Payroll Services at payroll@uark.edu.