Financial Forms, Deadlines, and Resources for HST PhD students | Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology

Application Forms for Financial Support

Teaching Assistantship (TA) application form - for PhD students.
HST MD students, please contact Jessica_Orthman [at] hms.harvard.edu (Jess Orthman).
Fellowship application form - includes HST/MEMP support
Research Assistantship (RA) application form - for PhD students.

When possible, it is preferable to submit one application form to cover multiple semesters (summer, fall, and spring) in a single year. In lieu of signing the form, faculty may send an email to laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward) indicating that they have reviewed the form and agree to all terms. Completed forms can be submitted electronically to laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward) or physically to MIT E25-518.

Please take care to complete the additional requirements specified on the RA and fellowship application forms, including:

Updating the research information in your HST student profile. MIT Touchstone is required for access.
Obtaining approval for research involving human subjects.
Obtaining approval for research involving vertebrate animals. MIT Touchstone is required for access.

Please review the additional information below under "Payments and Charges through MIT"

Deadlines

To receive semi-monthly salary/stipend and tuition benefits associated with a Fellowship, Research Assistantship, or Teaching Assistantship, students should complete and submit the appropriate funding form by the following deadlines:

Funding term	Deadline
Summer 2025 (June 1 - August 31)	April 1, 2025
Fall 2025 (September 1 - January 15)	July 1, 2025
Spring 2026 (January 16-May 31)	November 1, 2025
Summer 2026 (June 1 - August 31)	April 1, 2026

Students are encouraged to submit funding forms as early as possible. It is preferable to submit one application form to cover multiple semesters (summer, fall, and spring) in a single academic year. Changes to method of payment or funding source are possible by contacting Laurie Ward (laurie [at] mit.edu (laurie[at]mit[dot]edu)).

All appointments and awards must be processed before the start of the funding term. Retroactive appointments/awards are not allowed.

Rates

HST uses stipend/salary levels that are 5% above MIT’s minimum rates, adjusted annually, with new rates effective June 1 each year.

Academic Year 2023-2024 (6/1/23 - 5/31/24)
Research Assistant (RA)	$4194/month
Fellowship*	$4194/month
Teaching Assistantship (TA)	$4292/month
Additional Teaching Duties	$49.52/hour

Academic Year 2024-2025 (6/1/24 - 5/31/25)
Research Assistant (RA)	$4341/month
Fellowship*	$4341/month
Teaching Assistantship (TA)	$4444/month
Additional Teaching Duties	$51.28/hour

Academic Year 2025-2026 (6/1/25 - 5/31/26)
Research Assistant (RA)	$4482/month
Fellowship*	$4482/month
Teaching Assistantship (TA)	$4587/month
Additional Teaching Duties	$52.93/hour

*May be eligible for additional external fellowship incentive.

RA cost sheet for faculty research supervisors

Related Resources

Payments and Charges through MIT

When your RA, TA, or fellowship appointment/award is processed, you will receive an automated email from MIT. This is confirmation that HST has successfully submitted your graduate support. If you do not receive the email in the expected timeframe, please contact laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward).

MIT charges tuition and other fees to your MIT student account. When you receive tuition and health insurance as part of an RA, TA, or fellowship, those items appears as credits on your student account to offset the corresponding charges.

The MIT Graduate Student Life Fee is charged to any student who receives a tuition benefit as part of their appointment or award. You can submit your payment via MITPAY when it initially appears on your account or after receiving your first semi-monthly paycheck.

Living expenses, in the form of stipends or salaries, are paid semi-monthly, on the 15^th day of the month and the last business day of the month.

Useful Funding Information from Various MIT Offices

There are a variety of MIT staff who are invested in your success outside the classroom. If you’re not sure where to go for help with financial matters, please check out the resources below.

For help with fellowships, you can email laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward) in HST and the grad-fellowships [at] mit.edu (Fellowships Team), in the Office of Graduate Education (OGE). For questions about your MIT bill, contact Sfs [at] mit.edu (Student Financial Services (SFS)).

Information on student finances from MIT's Office of Graduate Education (OGE)
MIT graduate policies & procedures regarding funding and compensation
Support for Graduate Students in Need - Additional funding mechanisms offered by OGE for students in need of financial assistance.
General information about MIT Payroll
Taxes - While HST staff are unable to provide individualized tax advice, the Office of the Vice President for Finance (VPF) provides lots of useful information about taxes. You can start with their page on How to Get Tax Help, and also check these pages with information specific to US Residents and International Students.
Financial information for graduate students from MIT’s VPF
Getting started with MIT Student Financial Services (SFS)
Information on graduate funding from MIT SFS
Quick Tips and Resources from MIT SFS - Tips and key information to help you develop financial skills such as budgeting, saving, and building credit.