Stipends for Full-Time Research and Teaching Assistants
What will my stipend be for AY2022? 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 2021-22 academic year (AY2022). These ranges reflect a 3.25% increase, exceeding the GSC’s Stipend Working Group estimate of the change in cost-of-living by more than 1%. These ranges reflect a 3.25% increase, exceeding the GSC’s Stipend Working Group estimate of the change in cost-of-living by more than 1%. An increase above the cost-of-living adjustment responds to unique competitive pressures some graduate programs are experiencing this year, and similar increases in future years may not be appropriate when balancing many different considerations. Moreover, as announced earlier, MIT’s housing rates will not change for 2021-2022 and the cost for the Student Extended Insurance Plan will go down by approximately $180.
Stipends for full-time research and teaching assistants
Stipends
The graduate stipend rate will be increased by 3.25% in 2021-2022.
RA STIPEND LEVELS
Doctoral
Monthly: $3,488
Annual (12 mo.): $41,856
High Range +15%: $48,134
SM Level
Monthly: $3,186
Annual (12 mo.): $38,232
High Range +15%: $43,967
TA STIPEND LEVELS
Contact
Monthly: $3,570
Annual (12 mo.): $42,840
High Range +15%: $49,266
Support
Monthly: $3,219
Annual (12 mo.): $38,628
High Range +15%: $44,422
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 Deans’ 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. Note: We have removed the option to set stipends at 10% below the approved baseline rat.
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/financial-assist/. Note: Students in non-residency status are eligible for emergency hardship funding.
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. If you need immediate assistance with food—either a few meals or some groceries—please contact DSL Associate Dean Naomi Carton for discreet help or fill out the family food grant request form.
- 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 session 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.
- 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? Will there be an increase over last year’s rate?
There will not be an increase. For AY2022, we have reduced the Student Extended Insurance price by approximately $180 while keeping all benefits the same as last year.
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 AY2021: $3,269
Annual AY2022: $3,089
Annual ($) Change: $180 decrease
Annual % Change: 5.5% decrease
STUDENT AND PARTNER
Annual AY2021: $6,927
Annual AY2022: $6,745
Annual ($) Change: $182 decrease
Annual % Change: 2.6% decrease
STUDENT AND DEPENDENT(S)
Annual AY2021: $4,389
Annual AY2022: $4,209
Annual ($) Change: $180 decrease
Annual % Change: 4.1% decrease
FAMILY (student, partner, and dependents)
Annual AY2021: $8,047
Annual AY2022: $7,866
Annual ($) Change: $181 decrease
Annual % Change: 2.2% decrease
MIT Student Medical Plan Only (total annual cost to purchase just the MIT Student Medical Plan)
STUDENTS (automatic enrollment)
Annual AY2021: Cost included with tuition
Annual AY2022: Cost included with tuition
Annual ($) Change: Cost included with tuition
Annual % Change: N/A
STUDENT AND PARTNER
Annual AY2021: $1,584
Annual AY2022: $1,584
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%
STUDENT AND DEPENDENT(S)
Annual AY2021: $792
Annual AY2022: $792
Annual ($) Change: $0
Annual % Change: 0%
FAMILY (student, partner, and dependents)
Annual AY2021: $2,376
Annual AY2022: $2,376
Annual ($) 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.
Finally, the MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan will be available again for AY2022, 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?
No. The AY2022 benefits are the same as last year. The only change is the lower cost for the Student Extended Insurance Plan. It is simply the same coverage for less money.
Tuition and Fees
What is the cost of tuition and fees for AY2022?
Tuition and fees for AY2022 will be $55,878. This reflects a 3.85% increase over this year’s tuition.