MIT is a signatory, with most other graduate schools in the United States, to the following Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Graduate Assistants:
“Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.”
Every student receiving financial aid for graduate study at the Institute must register as a full time resident graduate student for the period of the award or appointment. The award or appointment is relinquished if registration is discontinued (e.g., by withdrawal or early completion of thesis) before tenure of the award or appointment expires. A reimbursement to MIT will be in order if a stipend, salary, or tuition payment has been made in excess of actual tenure.
Each year, MIT provides stipend and salary guidelines for MIT departments. Students receiving external fellowships should notify their departments of awards as soon as the information is available. Please note that some external fellowships only send notification to the student; the student is expected to inform their MIT department of such awards. Current and accurate information allows departments to supplement any external awards appropriately. MIT policy generally limits student stipend or salary compensation to a maximum of 15% above the guideline.
