Academic Questions
Payroll/Benefits Questions
Purchasing and Ordering Questions

Q. What is the difference between TGS 588, CHEM_ENG 590, TGS 598, TGS 599 and TGS 503?

A. All of the above are research credits, and each has a specific function.

• CHEM_ENG 590 is the research credit you sign up for before you achieve PhD candidacy. These credits fulfill the 9 quarter residency requirement for high-level tuition. Students who come in with a Master's degree may be awarded several quarters of residency and need not take as many quarters of classes/research.
• TGS 588 carries no credit toward residency and fulfills no requirements. It does allow a master's degree student to maintain full-time status and to use University facilities.
• TGS 598 carries no credit toward residency and fulfills no requirements. It does allow a PhD student to maintain full-time status and to use University facilities. You should not be registered for this unless your advisor specifically requests it.
• TGS 599 is post-candidacy research. After admission to PhD Candidacy and satisfying the residency requirements a student must complete three quarters of 599 Postcandidacy Research registration. These quarters need not be consecutive.

Q. What is FICA?

A. FICA (OASDI) is a tax on earnings or wages. Where an employer-employee relationship exists employers are required to withhold FICA from the earnings/wages of an employee and pay a matching contribution, subject to certain maximums. To be eligible for the student FICA exemption the student must be enrolled at least half-time and attending classes. Half-time course loads are typically different for undergraduates and graduate students. Student status is determined at the beginning of each quarter. Graduate students are generally exempt from FICA witholdings on their stipend pay, however there may be exceptions to this rule. You must register for your classes in a timely fashion in order for your FICA exemption to apply. If you have any questions about this, please contact the ChBE Business Administrator or Financial Assistant responsible for payroll.

Q. How do I purchase goods for my lab?

A. Speak with the ChBE Financial Assistant for Purchasing. You must order items according to University purchasing policies, and therefore you must go through the Financial Assistant.