AY2027 Stipend Levels
To: Deans, DLCI heads, grad admins + officers, DAFs, FOs.
Dear colleagues,
The following email (below) concerning stipend levels, health insurance, and additional support for graduate student fellows for the academic year 2026-27 will be sent to graduate students later today.
The stipend rate updates will be implemented centrally by IS&T; local DLCI administrators will not need to make any manual changes in Odyssey themselves.
Compensation for RAs, TAs, and Instructor-Gs are subjects of MIT’s ongoing negotiationswith the Graduate Student Union (GSU) and will be addressed through that process. We are updating the grad-union.mit.edu website periodically on the status of MIT’s negotiations with the GSU, so please check there for the latest information.
We recognize that you may receive questions from students or colleagues. Please feel free to direct them to the Office of Graduate Education or to the resources linked below. A list of all the key financial support programs for graduate students is available on the Office of Graduate Education website and more information about the fellowship stipend increase is also available in this FAQ.
Finally, please forward this information to your faculty and PIs as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Dave
David L. Darmofal, Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education
Jerome B. Wiesner Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics
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To: all enrolled graduate students
Dear students,
We are writing to share information on stipend levels, health insurance, and additional support for graduate students for the academic year 2026-27.
Compensation and benefits for RAs, TAs, and Instructor-Gs are subjects of MIT’s ongoing negotiations with the Graduate Student Union (GSU) and will be addressed through that process. But, because fellows are not included in the bargaining unit, we are able to announce these stipend increases without waiting for the conclusion of those negotiations.
3% Stipend Increase for Academic Year 2026-27
As you know, MIT continues to face financial challenges, including an increase in the federal endowment tax and a significant reduction in federal research funding. However, MIT remains committed to supporting its graduate students within those constraints, and so we are pleased to increase the stipend rates for fellows by 3%, as of June 1.
Health Insurance and Optional Dental & Vision Plans
MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Health insurance premiums will increase by 12.6% for the coming year. The plan will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits, with no increases in copayments or deductibles. For graduate students in research programs, SHIP premiums are typically covered by a full fellowship award (internally funded or externally funded and administered by MIT) or through an RA or TA appointment.
Optional Dental & Vision Plans
The dental and vision plan rates will remain flat. See the eligibility requirements for additional information.
Additional Financial Resources and Benefits
The stipend increase is coupled with MIT’s ongoing work to provide targeted cash assistance to students with the most pressing needs, including those with families.
A list of all the key financial support programs for graduate students is available on the Office of Graduate Education website and more information is also available in this FAQ.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or to the Office of Graduate Education if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David L. Darmofal, Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education
Brian Schuetz, Executive Director, MIT Medical
Ian A. Waitz, Vice President for Research