The following summary helps graduate students understand their eligibility for various benefits and resources (e.g., child grants, dental insurance, etc.) in light of the MIT and MIT GSU collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Specifically, the information below provides a high-level snapshot of benefit eligibility based upon appointment/funding status and degree type. Click on each appointment/funding status to view eligibility for benefits.
Note that, in some cases, benefit eligibility is subject to certain conditions and/or requires a particular action (e.g., enrolling or applying).
Key
| Eligible for benefit | Eligible for benefit with conditions | Not eligible for benefit |
RA/TA/IG (full or partial)
MIT SHIP premium coverage: Eligible, other than students in programs that do not receive the summer tuition subsidy, who typically do not receive premium coverage, per program practice.
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan – student-only premium subsidy (83.8%): Eligible for 83.8% subsidy on student premium. Student pays the balance of the premium.
Vision care plan (spring 2024): Eligible. Student pays premium.
Parking: RA/TA/IG eligible in their first year for Daily Student Parking. After their first year of enrollment at MIT, RAs/TAs/IGs may participate in the Employee Parking Program with a higher annual cap, but access to more lots. RAs/TAs/IGs living on campus are eligible for Campus Resident Parking Program.
Transit subsidy: 70% subsidy when purchased in advance via Atlas or over-the-counter sales. Students receive 70% off at counter by showing “Benefits” screen in the Atlas app. Students who believe they are owed reimbursements from prior purchases should complete the MBTA Pass Reimbursement Form.
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy): Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129)
Child Grant (need-blind): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in progams that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria.
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria.
International student grant (awarded in first semester only): J1/F1 visa holders are eligible.
Short-term emergency grant: Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master’s students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund.
Long-term doctoral hardship funding: PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work)
Guaranteed Transitional Support: One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well.
Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns.
Backup Child Care: Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Internally-funded fellowship, or externally-funded fellowship administered by MIT
MIT SHIP premium coverage: Student-only premium coverage for students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan – student-only premium subsidy (83.8%): 83.8% student-only premium coverage for students in programs that are eligible for the summer tuition subsidy. Student pays the balance of the premium.
Vision care plan (spring 2024): Eligible. Student pays premium.
Parking: Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program.
Transit subsidy: 70% subsidy for students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy when purchased in advance via Atlas. Over-the counter-sales eligible for 50% subsidy.
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy): Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129)
Child Grant (need-blind): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in progams that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria.
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria.
International student grant (awarded in first semester only): J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy.
Short-term emergency grant: Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master’s students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund.
Long-term doctoral hardship funding: PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work)
Guaranteed Transitional Support: One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well.
Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns.
Backup Child Care: Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Externally funded fellowship not administered by MIT
MIT SHIP premium coverage: Student-only premium coverage only if combined with MIT appointment/award that covers this benefit (see columns to left), or at discretion of program.
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan – student-only premium subsidy (83.8%): 83.8% student-only premium coverage only if combined with MIT appointment/award that covers this benefit (see columns to left), or at discretion of program. Student pays the balance of the premium.
Vision care plan (spring 2024): Eligible. Student pays premium.
Parking: Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program.
Transit subsidy: 50% subsidy
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy): Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129)
Child Grant (need-blind): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria.
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based): Full-time students in PhD programs and Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria.
International student grant (awarded in first semester only): J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy
Short-term emergency grant: Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master’s students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund.
Long-term doctoral hardship funding: PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work)
Guaranteed Transitional Support: One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well.
Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns.
Backup Child Care: Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Self-funded masters (out of pocket)
MIT SHIP premium coverage: Not eligible
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan – student-only premium subsidy (83.8%): Not eligible
Vision care plan (spring 2024): Eligible. Student pays premium
Parking: Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program.
Transit subsidy: 50% subsidy
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy): Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129)
Child Grant (need-blind): Full time Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria.
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based): Full time Master’s students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy and who meet application criteria may apply for the supplemental grant.
International student grant (awarded in first semester only): J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy
Short-term emergency grant: Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master’s students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund.
Long-term doctoral hardship funding: Not eligible
Guaranteed Transitional Support: Not eligible
Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns.
Backup Child Care: Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) or date of graduation, whichever comes first.
Self-funded nonresident doctoral (out of pocket)
MIT SHIP premium coverage: Student-only premium coverage at discretion of program in nonresident terms 4-6.
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan – student-only premium subsidy (83.8%): Not eligible
Vision care plan (spring 2024): Eligible. Student pays premium
Parking: Not eligible
Transit subsidy: 50% subsidy
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy): Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129)
Child Grant (need-blind): Full-time students in PhD programs are eligible subject to application criteria.
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based): Full-time students in PhD programs may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria.
International student grant (awarded in first semester only): Not eligible
Short-term emergency grant: Eligible subject to funding criteria
Long-term doctoral hardship funding: Not eligible
Guaranteed Transitional Support: Not eligible
Graduate Assistance & Information Network (GAIN): MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members, for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns.
Backup Child Care: Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Graduate Student Benefits
The same benefits listed above are shown here in a convenient table:
| Eligible for benefit | Eligible for benefit with conditions | Not eligible for benefit |
BENEFIT | RA/TA/IG (full or partial) | Internally-funded fellowship, or externally-funded fellowship administered by MIT | Externally funded fellowship not administered by MIT | Self-funded masters (out of pocket) | Self-funded nonresident doctoral (out of pocket) |
Eligible, other than students in programs that do not receive the summer tuition subsidy, who typically do not receive premium coverage, per program practice. | Student-only premium coverage for students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy | Student-only premium coverage only if combined with MIT appointment/award that covers this benefit (see columns to left), or at discretion of program. | Not eligible | Student-only premium coverage at discretion of program in nonresident terms 4-6. | |
MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan: student-only premium subsidy (83.8%) | Eligible for 83.8% subsidy on student premium. Student pays the balance of the premium. | 83.8% student-only premium coverage for students in programs that are eligible for the summer tuition subsidy. Student pays the balance of the premium. | 83.8% student-only premium coverage only if combined with MIT appointment/award that covers this benefit (see columns to left), or at discretion of program. Student pays the balance of the premium. | Not eligible | Not eligible |
MIT Graduate Student Vision Care Plan: (Open enrollment Dec 15, 2023 through Jan 15, 2024. Coverage starts February 1, 2024) | Eligible. Student pays premium. | Eligible. Student pays premium. | Eligible. Student pays premium. | Eligible. Student pays premium | Eligible. Student pays premium |
RA/TA/IG eligible in their first year for Daily Student Parking. After their first year of enrollment at MIT, RAs/TAs/IGs may participate in the Employee Parking Program with a higher annual cap, but access to more lots. RAs/TAs/IGs living on campus are eligible for Campus Resident Parking Program. | Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program. | Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program. | Student commuters are eligible for Daily Student Parking. Students living on campus are eligible for the Campus Resident Parking Program. | Not eligible | |
70% subsidy when purchased in advance via Atlas or over-the-counter sales. Students receive 70% off at counter by showing "Benefits" screen in the Atlas app. Students who believe they are owed reimbursements from prior purchases should complete the MBTA Pass Reimbursement Form linked in "RA/TA/IG" section above. | 70% subsidy (when purchased in advance via Atlas) for students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy. Over-the counter-sales eligible for 50% subsidy. | 50% subsidy | 50% subsidy | 50% subsidy | |
Biking (Bluebikes subsidy) | Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129) | Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129) | Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129) | Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129) | Employees and students may buy subsidized annual Bluebikes memberships for $49 (regularly $129) |
Child Grant (need-blind) | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria. | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria. | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria. | Full time Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy are eligible subject to application criteria. | Full-time students in PhD programs are eligible subject to application criteria. |
Supplemental Child Grant (need-based) | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria. | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria. | Full-time students in PhD programs and Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria. | Full time Master's students in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy and who meet application criteria may apply for the supplemental grant. | Full-time students in PhD programs may apply for the supplemental grant subject to application criteria. |
International student grant (awarded in first semester only) | J1/F1 visa holders are eligible. | J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy. | J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy | J1 and F1 visa holders are eligible if they are in programs that receive the summer tuition subsidy | Not eligible |
Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan masters students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund. | Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master's students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund. | Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master's students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund. | Eligible subject to funding criteria. Note: Sloan Master's students apply to Sloan Immediate Needs fund. | Eligible subject to funding criteria | |
PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work) | PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work) | PhD students who meet funding criteria (generally, F1 or J1 visa and spouse unable to work) | Not eligible | Not eligible | |
One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well. | One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well. | One semester of advisor-independent funding available for PhD and SM/PhD in situations of unresolved conflict; transitional funding may be available for other cases as well. | Not eligible | Not eligible | |
MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. | MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. | MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. | MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. | MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members, for confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. | |
Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). | Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). | Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). | Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) or date of graduation, whichever comes first. | Eligible students can request up to 15 days of backup child care per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). |
