Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Graduate and Professional Students and Postdocs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
*Last updated August 17, 2020. For more resources, see Resources for Graduate and Professional Students and Postdocs during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Graduate Student Appointments
Can I receive a Teaching Assistant (TA), Graduate Student Assistant (GSA), or a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) appointment during the fall 2020 semester if I am residing outside of Pittsburgh or the U.S.?
This varies by school/unit and can best be answered by the school/unit offering the appointment (typically but not always your academic department). If you are not sure who to contact, please email the Graduate Studies Office for assistance.
If I am a new TA/GSA/GSR or a continuing TA/GSA/GSR who did not receive an August stipend from Pitt, can I request a voluntary stipend advance from my Fall 2020 stipend? YES, eligible students have been notified by the unit offering the stipend. The deadline to request the voluntary advance is August 18, 2020.
International Students
What are some local food delivery services that I can reach out to while I am sheltering in place?
Aldi
Door Dash
Giant Eagle
Grub Hub
Target
Uber Eats
I am an international student and I am choosing to study remotely from my home country for the Fall 2020. Am I still required to have health insurance?
No. If you choose the Flex@Pitt option to study remotely from your home country in the Fall 2020 semester, it is recommended but not required to have health insurance. When you return to classes on campus, the requirement to enroll in UPMC health insurance or attest to having other U.S.-based coverage will be reinstated effective immediately.
Postdocs
Does the staff hiring freeze apply to post-docs?
No. While there is not a formal hiring freeze on post-docs, the Graduate Studies Office recommends that units proceed cautiously with hiring new post-docs. Considerations include ensuring that funding streams and remote work situations are in place given the pandemic.
Units can re-appoint a current post-doc to a new appointment - this action is not the same as a new post-doc hire.
To ask another question or a clarifying question, please contact the Graduate Studies Office. Additional information about graduate appointments is available under Graduate Student Appointments.