Grant for Graduate Students with Children overview
The MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children is a need-blind grant available to all full-time PhD students. Master’s students who are eligible for summer tuition subsidy are also eligible for the grant. In order to qualify for the grant, the student’s child must reside with them at least half-time throughout the year. Eligibility requirements are available on the policy page. Grant funds may be used to cover expenses such as child care, health care, and housing.
Grant amounts for the 2022-2023 academic year are:
- $6,500 – 1 dependent child
- $7,500 – 2 dependent children
- $8,500 – 3 or more dependent children
Ready to apply?
Please see the grant policy page for additional information on eligibility and process.
Application process
Prepare your application materials as soon as possible.
Preparation: Gather all documents applicable to your situation. This may include your child’s birth certificate, passport page, court placement documents, or health insurance card. International students will also need to provide I-20, DS 2019, I-94, F2 or J2 status documents.
Submission: Submit your application in August-September if you already have children. If you give birth or have a placement event at another point in the year, email gradfamilies@mit.edu after you have your child’s official birth certificate to gain access to the application and apply for a prorated grant.
Notification: Notification of approval will be sent to graduate students who satisfy the eligibility and application requirements. Students who do not meet the requirements will also be notified.
Disbursement: Grants are disbursed in two halves, sent in late October and mid-April.
Additional details
- Yearly application: Students are eligible for one grant per year, per household, and must reapply each fall.
- Grant processing and taxation: Grants will be processed through the student payroll system. Grant funds are taxable income.
- Students currently borrowing funds through loans should contact Student Financial Services to determine if receiving the grant will impact loan eligibility.
- International students in F-1 or J-1 student status must request a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 through the MIT International Students Office with updated funding information after they have received the grant.
If you have falsified information or supporting documentation on the grant application form, the grant funds will be rescinded, and you may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
Frequently asked questions
I am enrolled less than full-time. Am I still eligible for the grant?
Students approved for a reduced course load, Childbirth Accommodation, Parental Accommodation, or nonresident doctoral thesis research status are eligible to receive the grant.
Students on an approved leave of absence or not currently enrolled are not eligible.
If I receive this grant, will any of my current funding be impacted?
Loan eligibility, in particular, may be reduced if your loans plus the grant total are more than the cost of attendance. Please discuss the situation with your financial aid counselor. Eligibility for MIT fellowships or assistantships will not be impacted.
The grant does not cover my family’s costs. What other resources are available to me?
The grant is not meant to meet the full costs of supporting dependents. To learn more about other resources, review the information below.
Where can I get more information about taxes related to this grant?
For more detailed information on taxes and this grant, visit the Graduate Student with Children Grant policy page.
I need more support with the Grant for Graduate Student application process. Who can I talk to?
If you need help understanding the full policy, you can contact gradfamilies@mit.edu.
Families Food Grant & resources
The Families Food Grant is available to families who are having trouble accessing affordable, healthy food options for themselves and their families. It is part of a larger initiative to support food security for all graduate students.
Graduate Student Experience Grants
Graduate Student Experience Grant applications are open to students and spouses/partners to develop experiences that build community. In the past, grad student families have applied for funds to develop the Grad Moms Group and to offer kids’ arts and dance classes.
Spouse & Partners Professional Development Fund
The Spouses and Partners Professional Development Fund offers MIT students’ spouses and partners the opportunity to build their expertise in a particular field. Past grants have funded Harvard Extension School, MIT edX, Coursera Professional Conference costs, and membership dues for career-specific professional organizations.
Short-Term Emergency Hardship Fund
The Short-Term Emergency Hardship Fund application is open to any student experiencing a one-time, non-recurring financial emergency, including unexpected and unavoidable expenses, when they have exhausted all other resources.
Financial Literacy, iGrad & MIT Credit Union
Financial literacy workshops and resources are available to you to help you manage finances as an individual or a family. Topics covered include financial planning, saving, and investing. In addition, you can access iGrad, a financial web portal sponsored by the OGE and the MIT Credit Union. The MIT Federal Credit Union offers traditional savings and checking accounts as well as mortgages; auto, personal, and student loans; and mobile and online banking.
ARM – Access to Resources at MIT
ARM maintains a webpage listing of resources, including some already listed on this page, but also a host of others to support you and your family in maintaining a healthy affordable living situation. Some highlighted resources include:
- MIT Furniture Exchange
- Kids Clothing Exchange
SNAP & WIC (Eligibility restrictions apply)
SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can help you expand your healthy food budget by providing you with an EBT card with funding for food. Check your eligibility here.
WIC- Women, Infants, and Children is a nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children under 5. Check your eligibility here.
