Many academic departments provide financial support for graduate students, and funding varies significantly across disciplines.
Research and teaching assistantships (RA and TA)
Research and teaching appointments advance the development of graduate students by giving them experience in scholarship and instruction while also providing an income. Most graduate students at MIT are supported by appointments as research or teaching assistants. Information about the responsibilities of these roles can be found on the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) website.
A graduate research or teaching appointment covers tuition partially or fully, provides a salary, and typically covers student health insurance, as well as other benefits. Salary rates are set each year by individual departments within ranges established by the collective bargaining agreement between MIT and the MIT Graduate Student Union.
View open appointments on the jobs board →Fellowships
A fellowship is an award that covers tuition partially, or fully, and provides a stipend to help defray living costs. It may also cover student health insurance.
The Institute receives funds from individual donors and corporations for fellowships and scholarships. The Office of Graduate Education maintains a database of various fellowship aid resources and provides advice on how to apply for one. For questions about the fellowships highlighted below, contact the OGE Fellowship team. We also recommended reaching out to your individual department for additional information.
Presidential Fellowships
The Presidential Fellowships program recruits outstanding students worldwide to pursue graduate studies at the Institute.
OGE stipend awards
Donors provide funds in support of stipend awards for students who fall into unique categories. The Office of Graduate Education administers these awards.
OGE fellowships
Donors also provide funds in support of fellowships, many of which have unique requirements. OGE administers a number of these endowed fellowships through an annual competition.
Taxes
For tax purposes, research assistant and teaching assistant salaries are considered earned income as a result of the services rendered. The Institute is obliged to withhold federal and Massachusetts income taxes from all stipends.
Fellowship stipends are also legally taxable income. However, tax withholding regulations do not allow MIT to withhold federal and Massachusetts income taxes from fellowship payments. You should plan for your tax obligation and consider making quarterly estimated payments.
Learn more about the tax implications of research and teaching assistantships, and fellowship stipends on the OGE website.
Financial aid
Funding from research assistant positions, teaching assistant positions, and fellowships lowers your ability to take out student loans. If you would like to explore how these types of funding might impact your financial aid, please contact us to discuss your options. We are happy to help!