Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Hardship Funding is available to help graduate students to cover unforeseen, essential expenses. It is intended to be a resource for students experiencing one-time, unavoidable financial emergencies when they have exhausted all other resources. The fund assists with unanticipated or unavoidable expenses that may have a negative impact on the student’s educational experience and well-being. The Fund can help cover or subsidize expenses such as those related to emergency housing issues, travel related to family emergencies including illness and death of a family member, emergency medical issues and natural disaster.
You will be contacted regarding your application within 5 business days depending on the urgency of your situation and the current volume of submissions. Each request will be considered individually, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. The amount granted is based on the applicant’s demonstrated need and the short-term nature of the financial hardship. The maximum award amount per request is $1500 (except in extreme circumstances).
Misrepresenting your situation may result in disqualification of your current request, and of any future hardship requests.
A GradSupport staff member will review your submission and may ask to meet with you for additional information or documentation. Your advisor or department may be contacted to request cost-sharing of expenses or to corroborate information as needed.
Please note: Please be aware that awards made through this fund are subject to federal tax regulations and should be self-reported as income. More info on taxes can be found here: https://sfs.mit.edu/manage-your-money/education-taxes-credits/tax-resources/
Graduate students with families who need additional support should contact gradfamilies@mit.edu.
Application
Apply for the Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund.
Eligibility
- Students must be currently registered in an MIT doctoral program or Master’s Program. Sloan master’s students should apply for the Sloan Immediate Needs Fund.
- Visiting students and students on leave from MIT are not eligible to receive the award.
- Students may apply for the Emergency Hardship Fund for each unique situation.
- Costs must have been incurred or become due while continuously enrolled during the current academic year.
Eligible funding requests
- Basic living necessities and expenses due to family emergencies;
- Temporary emergency housing;
- Travel related to family emergencies, including illness and death of a family member;
- Catastrophic events, including fire, global events and natural disaster; and
- MIT meal plans due to food insecurity.
Ineligible funding requests
- Moving expenses (except due to catastrophic circumstances);
- Vacation travel;
- Computers;
- OPT and visa expenses except if there are extenuating circumstances;.
- Costs incurred during initial relocation for enrollment at MIT; and
- Conference expenses
- Housing if student receives a stipend to cover housing expenses.
Application requirements
- Completed application
- Documentation of expenses, other financial concerns, or life events is required as required
Students may not receive funds if it is determined that other resources can be utilized to fulfill the need, or that the request is related to a voluntary obligation. In such instances, students should contact students may contact GradSupport@mit.edu to discuss your situation.
