Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Funding is intended to be a resource for students in two sets of circumstances:
- Students who are experiencing one-time, non-recurring financial emergencies, including unexpected and unavoidable expenses, when they have exhausted all other resources.
- Students who have lost paid summer opportunities such as MISTI internships, industrial and government internships, special fellowships, and summer RA or TA appointments due to Covid-19. MIT is committed to assisting students in finding solutions to lost funding.
If Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund disbursements are granted, they do not have to be repaid. Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund disbursements may be subject to taxation based on withholding rates set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Each request will be considered individually and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Requests related to a planned paid summer position that was rescinded due to Covid-19 disruption will be reviewed and resolved by the student’s school and department or program with assistance as necessary from the Provost’s Office. Other requests will be reviewed and resolved by the Office of Graduate Education.
Current application (open now)
Eligibility
- Students must be currently registered in an MIT PhD program or Master’s Program.
- Students on leave from MIT are not eligible to receive the award.
Eligible funding requests
- Loss of funding related to a planned paid summer position that was rescinded due to Covid-19 disruption. (Examples: MISTI internships, industrial and government internships, special fellowships, MIT RA or TA appointments.)
- Unanticipated or unavoidable expenses that may have a negative impact on the student’s educational experience and well-being. These expenses most commonly include basic living necessities and travel expenses due to family emergencies.
- Costs must have been incurred or become due while continuously enrolled during the current academic year.
Application requirements
- Completed Application Form
- Documentation of expenses such as copies of billing statements or receipts are required for reimbursements, as appropriate
- Documentation of rescinded summer position or appointment, as appropriate
In some cases, students will not receive funds if it is determined that:
- Other resources can be utilized to fulfill the need
- The request is related to a pre-existing voluntary obligation
In such instances, students should contact the Office of Graduate Education to explore whether alternate resources may be available.