Stipends for Full-Time Research and Teaching Assistants
What will my stipend be for AY2021? What is the increase over the current year?
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.
Stipends for full-time research and teaching assistants
Stipends
The graduate stipend rate will be increased by 2.9% in AY20-21
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
How are the stipend rates established?
The Graduate Stipends Committee is charged with analyzing a wide range of factors related to graduate stipends, including cost of living, cost to grants, competitiveness, and community equity issues. The committee consists of two co-chairs, one of whom is a faculty member, the other a graduate student; a second faculty member; a staff representative of the Vice President for Research; a staff representative of the Vice President for Finance; and four other graduate students. This committee makes a recommendation to the MIT Dean’s Group. A decision is then made by the Provost, the Chancellor, and the Vice President for Research.
Why do stipend rates differ by department/School?
Departments have the flexibility to set their own rates within the Institute guidelines to ensure that they remain competitive within their discipline and in order to be responsive to budgetary constraints.
How do these stipends compare to our peer institutions?
The GSC Graduate Stipends Committee has estimated that the purchasing power of the MIT stipend is comparable to the average of eight top peers (including Harvard and Stanford).
What if I experience financial issues and have trouble covering all of my needs, and those of my family?
Graduate students may be eligible for the following assistance programs:
- MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children
- Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund
- Doctoral Long-term Financial Hardship Funding
For more information, please visit https://oge.mit.edu/finances/grad-student-fin-assist/
There are also a number of resources at the Institute and elsewhere that can supply great planning information and can help if you experience financial challenges or unforeseen expenses.
- Food Insecurity
Hundreds of students have donated guest meals to SwipeShare to support students in need. If you need immediate assistance with food—either a few meals or some groceries—please contact DSL Associate Dean Naomi Carton for discreet help. - Financial Literacy
Each semester the OGE hosts monthly lunchtime workshops that cover a variety of financial literacy topics. Check out this semester’s workshops, including an upcoming sessions on graduate fellowships. Additionally, graduate students can inform decision-making and round out their financial knowledge with MIT’s iGrad portal. Setting up an account is free and is available for all MIT faculty, staff, students, spouses, and partners. In addition, Student Financial Services, Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD), and the International Students Office (ISO), also all offer guidance and workshops. - Families
Find a wealth of resources for graduate student families. - Individual grants
Need a little extra for something specific? The Graduate Student Council provides a number of individual grants for expenses such as travel, professional development, athletic and performance activities, and more. - Health Insurance Fees
If purchasing the Student Extended Insurance Plan creates a financial hardship, you may be able to purchase insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector at www.mahealthconnector.org. Every Health Connector plan meets the requirements to waive the Extended Plan; the Health Connector also offers discounted coverage for eligible lower-income individuals. They can help you find a plan that fits your budget and needs.
Health Insurance
What will my insurance rates be next year? How much is the increase over the current year?
For AY2021, we have been able to keep health plan rate flat: there will be zero increases for all plans.
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.
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: $02
Annual % Change: 0%
Finally, the MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan will be available again for AY2021, but the new rates are not yet available from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. We will communicate with students directly as soon as new rate and benefit information is available.
How are these rates established?
Health insurance rates are based on a number of factors—most importantly, the cost of providing health care to members. The premiums collected from all members must cover the total cost of care plus the administrative expenses required to manage the health plan. Every health plan must also maintain sufficient funds to protect against unexpected medical expenses. Each year, MIT reviews changes in the amount of health care used in the past year (utilization) and the costs of that care (unit costs), as well as estimating the impact of new benefits, treatments and/or other market factors. In line with insurance industry standards, the final rates are calculated to cover these anticipated costs, along with those potential, unexpected medical expenses that are more difficult to predict.
Are my benefits changing?
MIT Medical is pleased to offer enhanced benefits to 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 of student representatives, the Office of Graduate Education (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.
How do these rates compare to our peer institutions?
While it’s complicated to compare health insurance rates due to differences in benefits and plan-designs, MIT students tend to pay similar or lower rates than students at our peer institutions. For example, the premium for family coverage at MIT is approximately half of that at Yale, Stanford, and Harvard. MIT premiums for single students are less than at Brown and Stanford.
Tuition & Fees
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.