AY2021 Graduate Student Stipend Levels, Health Insurance Rates, and Additional Support

Dear Colleagues,

In discussion with the Provost, Chancellor, and School Deans, we have established the new ranges for the monthly stipends of full-time research and teaching assistants for the 2020-21 academic year (AY2021). These ranges reflect a 2.9% increase consistent with the 2.9% increase recommended by the Graduate Student Council (GSC) Graduate Stipends Committee.

Departments and programs in other Schools should establish stipends consistent with these ranges and subject to written approval from the School Dean, the Vice Chancellor, and the Vice President for Research.

Please be aware that it is required that we maintain written documentation of approval on all graduate program rates that deviate from the established ranges. In addition, this letter outlines health plan rates (for students and their dependents who are enrolled in the MIT Student Medical Plan and MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan) and the cost of tuition and the student life fee.

For more information on how these rates were established and some comparisons with peers, please see the related FAQ. Finally, a parallel communication will be sent to all graduate students later today.

Sincerely,

Maria Zuber, Vice President for Research
Ian A. Waitz, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education
Sharon Casey, Health Plans Manager

Stipends
The graduate stipend rate will be increased by 2.9% in 2020-2021.
RA STIPEND LEVELS

Doctoral
Monthly: $3,378
Annual (12 mo.): $40,533
High Range +15%: $46,614
Low Range -10%: $36,480

SM Level
Monthly: $3,086
Annual (12 mo.): $37,036
High Range +15%: $42,591
Low Range -10%: $33,332

TA STIPEND LEVELS

Contact
Monthly: $3,458
Annual (12 mo.): $41,501
High Range +15%: $47,725
Low Range -10%: $37,351

Support
Monthly: $3,118
Annual (12 mo.): $37,418
High Range +15%: $43,031
Low Range -10%: $33,676

Health Insurance
We are pleased to share that insurance rates will not increase for the next academic year. In addition to keeping rates flat, MIT and MIT Health Plans worked diligently to both reduce out-of-pocket costs and expand the benefits offered by the Student Extended Insurance Plan.

Further, we will make it possible for current plan members who are graduating this spring to extend their eligibility for the SEIP through the end of the calendar year. More details about this option will be shared with students who are enrolled in an MIT Health Plan soon.

The following enhanced benefits support the mental health needs of our students and improve the healthcare benefits for our transgender students. These changes, made possible through a close partnership comprised of student representatives, OGE, and MIT Medical, will reduce barriers to accessing services.

Expanded access to in-network outpatient mental health providers at no copay
We have increased the number of off-campus in-network mental health visits from 12 to 52 with no copay to for these visits. After 52 visits, students will be able to continue seeing their off-campus provider for a $5 copay for each visit (reduced from $25/visit).
Anti-depressant coverage enhanced
We’ve removed copayments for generic anti-depressant medications. These are now available at all pharmacies for $0.
Reduced out-of-pocket cost for physical, occupational, and speech therapy services
Access services from in-network providers for $10 per visit (reduced from $25/visit).
New treatment option for transgender patients
We have expanded our laser hair removal benefit for transgender patients. This added coverage makes it affordable to undergo necessary, costly procedures.
Continuing next year: Fully covered telehealth visits
The telehealth benefits that were added in the spring in response to COVID-19 will continue to be covered under the Extended Plan. Students will be able to use Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Well Connection clinical and behavioral telehealth services without a copay.

Rates
Note that the first table (“Combined”) shows the cost of purchasing both the MIT Student Medical Plan and the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan. All students are enrolled in the MIT Student Medical Plan, because it is included in tuition. Family members may enroll in the MIT Student Medical Plan only — with costs shown in the second table — or they may enroll in the combined plans. However, they cannot purchase Extended-Plan-only coverage.

Combined (total annual cost to purchase both the MIT Student Medical Plan and MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan)

STUDENTS (automatic enrollment)
Annual AY2020: $3,269
Annual AY2021: $3,269
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

STUDENT AND PARTNER
Annual AY2020: $6,927
Annual AY2021: $6,927
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

STUDENT AND DEPENDENT(S)
Annual AY2020: $4,389
Annual AY2021: $4,389
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

FAMILY (student, partner, and dependents)
Annual AY2020: $8,047
Annual AY2021: $8,047
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

MIT Student Medical Plan Only (total annual cost to purchase just the MIT Student Medical Plan)

STUDENTS (automatic enrollment)
Annual AY2020: Cost included with tuition
Annual AY2021: Cost included with tuition
Annual ($) Change: Cost included with tuition
Annual % Change: N/A

STUDENT AND PARTNER
Annual AY2020: $1,584
Annual AY2021: $1,584
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

STUDENT AND DEPENDENT(S)
Annual AY2020: $792
Annual AY2021: $792
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

FAMILY (student, partner, and dependents)
Annual AY2020: $2,376
Annual AY2021: $2,376
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%

MIT Medical will send enrollment information in the late spring/early summer. Dental insurance rates will also be announced in the coming months.

Tuition
Tuition for AY2021 will be $55,450 or $27,725 per term. This reflects a 3.74% increase over this year’s tuition.

Student Life Fee
The student life fee will be $368 or $184 per term in AY2021. This reflects an increase of $28.00