What is the student life fee?

When do I pay the fee?

Why is the student life fee necessary?

Can the student life fee be waived?

What is the student life fee?

When MIT raised tuition and fees by 4.7 percent for 2002-2003, the increase included a $200 fee to be paid by all graduate and undergraduate students and devoted exclusively to enhancing the quality of student life. It was raised to $236 for 2007-08. The fee provides additional funds for student groups, activities and organizations, club sports, and the operations of the new Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, with the largest share supporting the Zesiger Center. In addition, the Dean for Student Life and the Dean for Graduate Education were allotted $600K to support student life activities for undergraduate and graduate students. The Office of the Dean for Graduate Education plans to support a wide variety of initiatives to enhance graduate community life. Both Deans will also explore new ideas for building community.

When do I pay the fee?

Student Financial Services includes two billings of $118, one in the fall term and one in the spring term.

Why is the student life fee necessary?

Over much of the past decade, graduate and undergraduate students have pressed for better athletic facilities on campus as well as additional programmatic support for activities under the category of "student life." While a magnificent new facility has been built, its ongoing operational costs cannot simply be absorbed in a general university budget. New staffing and expanded programming efforts for all students have been initiated, which also have real costs associated with them.

The fee passes through some of these costs to all students who register at MIT. Some departments and some individual faculty members have decided to pay the fee, partially or completely, on behalf of supported students by raising the stipend level to cover the fee. They are under no obligation to do so, but the flexibility is built into RA and TA stipend rates for the academic year. Students are encouraged to inquire within their departments, labs, or centers, about the possibility.

Can the student life fee be waived?

Generally, no. The fee will be charged to all registered students. However, if you have registered solely for the purpose of submitting your thesis and your department signs (accepts) your document within the Registrar's thesis minimum period (one week for master's degrees; two weeks for doctorates), then the fee will be cancelled by petition to the Office of the Dean for Graduate Education. Otherwise, it will be charged. Petitions will be considered only for the exceptions discussed here.

Registered students who live off campus will be charged the fee. If you are registered in nonresident status, the fee will not be charged.