PhD student funding packages may include stipends for living expenses, as outlined in the student's Notice of Financial Support.
Stipend payments are generally disbursed on or around the first day of the month. Some stipend awards are paid monthly, while others are paid as lump-sum disbursements at designated times during the year. Stipend payments appear on pay statements with the pay group "MST." Students enrolled in the University's direct deposit program will receive stipend payments in their designated bank account. Students without direct deposit will receive paper checks mailed to the address listed in my.harvard. Students are responsible for keeping their mailing address and contact information up to date.
Not all payments received by PhD students are stipends. Payments associated with teaching appointments, research assistantships, hourly employment, or other work arrangements are processed separately and may be paid on a different schedule and under a different pay group. Questions about employment-related pay should be directed to the hiring department or supervisor, as the Financial Aid Office does not have access to payroll information for these appointments.
Stipends are generally subject to US federal income tax. Because taxes are not typically withheld from stipend payments for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, students may need to make estimated tax payments during the year. For additional information, please consult the Taxes section of the Harvard Griffin GSAS website.
Because funding packages vary by student and program, not all of the funding types described below will apply to every student.
Common Types of Stipend Support and Payment Schedules
The information below describes the most common forms of stipend support provided to PhD students and their typical payment schedules. Individual funding packages vary by program and student circumstances. For details about your specific funding package, consult the Student Aid Portal or contact your financial aid officer.
Students receiving certain forms of stipend support may be subject to restrictions on teaching appointments. Please refer to the teaching policies found in the Academics and Enrollment section of the Handbook for Students for more information.
Dental and Transportation Subsidies
Students who receive a tuition grant as part of their financial aid package also receive subsidies to help cover the cost of the optional dental plan and transportation expenses. These subsidies are paid as a single lump-sum payment on September 1 and are intended to support costs incurred over a twelve-month period. For more information, visit our webpage Subsidies for Transportation and Dental Expenses[MW1] .
Fall and Spring Stipends
Stipends paid for living expense support in the Fall and Spring are paid monthly. They are typically provided so that students can focus on their academic work without needing to seek additional employment. As such, many Fall and Spring stipends carry employment restrictions. Please refer to the Handbook for Students and/or your award letter for more information about award-specific policies.
Summer Stipends
Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences may be eligible for the Summer Stipend Award, which provides living-expense support during the summer months. For more information, visit our policy page on Summer Stipend Awards.
Summer stipend support may also be available to some students in the Natural Sciences and Medical Sciences. Availability varies by program and individual circumstances. For more information, contact your financial aid officer.
Top-Up Stipend for Humanities and Social Science Students
The Top-Up stipend supplements teaching, RA appointments, or other fellowships that eligible Humanities and Social Science students may hold in the G3 through G6 years. It is paid in a lump sum once in the fall and once in the spring. For additional information, visit our policy page on Top-Up Stipends.
Dissertation Completion Fellowship for Humanities and Social Science Students
A Dissertation Completion Fellowship (DCF) is available to support eligible Humanities and Social Science students. DCFs are paid monthly, typically beginning in the fall semester. Off-cycle (spring-start) DCFs are available, but students should consult with their financial aid officer before applying. For additional information, visit our policy page on Dissertation Completion Fellowships.