Student Support

Most EECS graduate students are supported by RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS or TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS. An application for an assistantship is included in the application package. Assistantships pay full tuition and a monthly stipend for the tenure of the appointment. Assistantship offers are based on a match between the interests of faculty and the interests and abilities of the students. Some interviews and student visits may be arranged in order to determine the level of shared interest between the two parties. Faculty members will not discuss financial support or thesis supervision with a student who has not yet been admitted.

Assistantship appointments are made for one term, for the nine month academic year, for a three month summer appointment or for any combination. International students are offered 12 month appointments wherever possible, in order for them to meet visa requirements. Assistantship support for most first year graduate students is arranged through the EECS Graduate Office. Renewals are based on the performance and progress of the students as well as the financial capabilities of the faculty member in charge. Students should never assume that their assistantship will continue. Responsibilitiy for securing support after the first year remains with the student.

MIT students seeking information on fellowships awarded by corporations and government agencies should visit the Graduate Education Office, Room 3-132 in early fall. The deadline for submission of completed fellowship applications is typically early November for the following September and decisions are announced in early spring. The EECS Graduate Office, Room 38-444, maintains a bulletin board with fellowship information and carries a small supply of the major fellowship applications. "Peterson's Grants for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies" is an excellent resource for information on fellowships and it is available in the reference section of most libraries.

Some fellowship money is available through the EECS Graduate Office. It is usually earmarked for women, underrepresented minorities, and students who find themselves in unusual short-term financial difficulties. Such funding is scarce and students needing such support should contact Ms. Peggy Carney in the Graduate Office for further information.

If a student wins a fellowship or award that exceeds $3,000 tenable for the same academic year as the Research or Teaching Assistantship, then the compensation and time commitment of the RA will be reduced in accordance with Department policy for supplementary RA's. This policy allows students holding both an outside fellowship and an assistantship to receive additional compensation equal to approximately 17% of an RA stipend from the combined resources. For more information, contact Ms. Peggy Carney in the Graduate Office.