• Benefits
• Jobs
• Find it A-Z

MIT Employee Benefits

Eligibility

Your dependent child will be eligible for a tuition grant under the Children's Scholarship Plan if you are paid by MIT, are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months, and work at least 50% of the full-time work schedule in your department, laboratory, or center. MORE

Time to enroll: Whenever you are eligible — no need to wait for annual Open Enrollment.

Next steps

1. Review the details of the plan below.
2. Apply for a grant using the Children's Scholarship Plan Application (PDF).

DETAILS

How the plan works

• The Children's Scholarship Plan covers full tuition for four years of undergraduate study at MIT and, in some cases, accredited universities outside of MIT, as long as your dependent child is a tax dependent and is a full-time undergraduate student at MIT.
• Grants are only made for the cost of tuition and may not be used to pay required fees, duplicate other financial aid, or to pay room and board or other educational expenses.
• You may apply for a grant for the first semester following your hire date.
• The benefit is prorated for employees working less than 100% but at least 50% time.
• If both parents are employed by MIT, only one will be eligible for Children's Scholarship Plan benefits. If one parent is eligible for a greater benefit under the plan, the amount of the grant will be equal to that higher level of benefit.
• Get full details in the Children’s Scholarship Plan Booklet (PDF).

Who is eligible

To qualify, your child must be your tax dependent and attend school full time. Your dependent child is generally eligible to take advantage of the Children's Scholarship Plan if you:

• work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule in your department, laboratory, or center
• are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months
• are paid by MIT

See the eligibility chart below for details.

Who is not eligible

Your dependent children are not eligible to take advantage of this plan if you fall into one of these employment categories:

• visitor
• contractor
• fellow
• affiliate
• teaching or research assistant
• honorary lecturer
• post-doctoral trainee
• consultant
• paid by MITemps
• member of the armed services assigned to MIT

Dependent stepchildren

Your dependent stepchildren are not eligible for benefits under the Children’s Scholarship Plan unless you were hired on or before January 1, 1978 or hired as a service staff member prior to July 1, 1978.

Collective bargaining agreements

If you are a member of a collective bargaining unit, all the provisions of the Children’s Scholarship Plan are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.

MIT Children’s Scholarship Plan Eligibility Chart

Payment schedule

If your child attends MIT, once your application is approved, the grant will be paid directly to the Student Financial Services Office at MIT in late summer for the fall term and in late fall for the spring term. Checks from the plan cannot be issued in your name.

For children attending other colleges and universities, checks for tuition grants are made payable to the educational institution. Checks from the plan cannot be issued in your name. Grants payable to other colleges and universities are sent July 15 and November 15. For schools on a trimester schedule, payment will also be sent on March 1.

Tax info

Benefits from the Children's Scholarship Plan are not taxable under current IRS rules. If there is a change, eligible employees will be notified.

Questions?

Review the comprehensive Children's Scholarship Plan Booklet (PDF) for full details about this plan. Still have questions? Contact the Benefits Office.