Graduate Workers Frequently Asked Questions

This article contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about graduate workers' payroll and time reporting.

1. What is the difference between monthly and biweekly pay frequencies?
2. How much will I receive each biweekly pay period?
   1. Salaried Workers Paid via Stipend
   2. Hourly Workers Paid via Timesheet Entries
3. Why did my tax withholding increase?
4. What are the new deductions from my pay?
5. Where can I see my sick and vacation balances?
6. How do I report sick and vacation paid time?

Details 

What is the difference between monthly and biweekly pay frequencies?

• Monthly is paid on the last business day of each month and includes all pay earned in that same month.
• Biweekly is paid every two (2) weeks resulting in approximately 26 pay periods per year. The biweekly pay period runs Sunday through Saturday with payday being the Friday following (6 days later).  For example, the pay period ending Saturday, June 6th will be paid on Friday, June 12th.
• See the Payroll Schedule for details. Click “Filter Off and select “Filter: Upcoming Biweekly” to see the biweekly schedule.

How much will I receive each biweekly pay period?

Salaried Workers Paid via Stipend

• The biweekly stipend amount will be prorated based on the start and stop date of your appointment.  For example, if your appointment starts June 1, 2026 in pay period ending 6/6/26, you will paid exactly one half of the biweekly stipend amount.
  • If you worked 5/24-5/30/26, the first week of the pay period ending 6/6/26, your academic year appointment total was paid in full in the paycheck for pay period ending 5/23/26. You may view the appointment details by visiting Employee Self-Service > Pay > Contract and Additional Pay Details (Article - How to View Contract and Ad...) and selecting the 3/1/2026 date. The amounts will reconcile with pay statements.
  • Compensation amounts for new appointments may be found in Employee Self-Service > Pay > Compensation History.

Hourly Workers Paid via Timesheet Entries

• The biweekly amount will be based on the number of hours reported and approved for the pay period and the hourly rate.

Why did my tax withholding increase?

• Tax withholding for most unionized graduate workers has increased 7.65% since they are no longer exempt from Medicare 1.45% (MED/EE) and Social Security 6.2% (OASDI/ER). (Non-US citizens will remain exempt from these taxes.)  For more information, visit 1040.20 Tax Withholding.docx

What are the new deductions from my pay?

• Graduate workers covered by the union agreement and who have authorized union dues deductions will see the following deductions:
  • 375 GWU Dues: 1.095% of graduate worker earnings 
  • 376 GWU Initiation Fee: $10.00 one-time deduction
  • 377 GWU VCAP: optional authorized amount deducted from each biweekly paycheck

Where can I see my sick and vacation balances?

• Leave balances can be accessed via Employee Self-Service > Benefits > Leave Balance

How do I report sick and vacation paid time?

• Immediately report usage of paid time off via Employee Self-Service > Time > Timesheet using the appropriate time reporting codes provided.