Becoming an RA

Since the meal plan charge is waived, all RAs will have a lower cost of attendance. The University will still provide your room, but rather than waiving the room charge, the University will cover the cost since RAs must live and work on campus as a condition of employment. If you receive financial aid, your offer can be used for educational expenses other than housing. All students working as RAs will receive a $5,100 stipend, subject to all applicable federal and state income tax withholdings.

The value of the room benefit is not subject to tax withholding and does not need to be listed as income on federal or state tax returns. Because RAs are not expected to work a second on-campus job, the Hopkins Work Opportunity portion of their financial aid offer will be replaced by additional Hopkins Scholarships funds.

If you receive aid and become an RA in your sophomore year, you will need to report earnings from the stipend and the value of the room and meal benefits as non-taxable income on the FAFSA and CSS Profile you submit your senior year. While your earnings may affect eligibility for federal aid programs in your senior year, they won’t affect your overall demonstrated need.

Your financial aid adviser is available to help you understand the affect RA compensation might have on your financial aid offer. Student Financial Support will work closely with Residential Life to arrange meetings with current and prospective RAs who receive financial aid.

If you have not yet completed your financial aid documents, please do so as soon as possible and no later than the January 15 deadline. Financial aid advisers will also be available to meet individually during the interview process to address any concerns.

The RA compensation plan includes a stipend of $5,100, allowing RAs the freedom to focus on RA responsibilities without having to work outside of the residence hall. The total number of hours expected for RAs ranges from 15-20 hours per week.

Students who work on campus are limited to 20 hours per week when class is in session over the fall and spring semesters. If an RA wishes to work an additional job, they must first seek approval from their residence hall director, who will ensure that their total weekly hours do not exceed the 20-hour-per-week limit across all on-campus jobs.

The $5,100 stipend is taxable income subject to all applicable federal and state tax withholdings and will be reported on a Form W-2. The $10,278 room portion of the RA benefit is non-taxable income and won’t be reported on a Form W-2.

RAs will receive paychecks twice each month throughout the year, just like at any other job. Payments will be made on the 15th and final day of each month, starting in September and continuing through May.

No. Residential Life will work closely with University Experiential Learning to ensure that all necessary payroll forms are complete at the start of each academic year.