Current fellowship recipients are required to be knowledgeable of the stipulations, registration requirements, as well as information regarding tuition, fees, insurance and taxes.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition Bill Help Guide
Most Graduate School fellowships are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates. The award letter from the Graduate School will indicate if the fellowship includes a Non-Resident Tuition Exemption. For more information about your tuition bill, review the help guide.
Payment Information
If the student does not go through early registration in October for the spring semester, there will be a delay with the January 2 fellowship check. Note that the paychecks for student work appointments (TA, AI, GRA) are issued on the last day of the month. For a student on fellowship who then is appointed as a TA, AI or GRA, there will be a two-month interval between the last fellowship check and the first work appointment check, and the student must plan accordingly.
| Type of Payment | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stipend | Monthly starting Sept. 1 | Monthly starting Jan. 2 | Monthly starting June 1 |
| Tuition | Paid directly to tuition bill before payment deadline | Paid directly to tuition bill before payment deadline | Paid directly to tuition bill before payment deadline |
| Insurance | Sept. 1 | Jan. 2 | June 1 |
| One-Time Payment | Sept. 1 | Jan. 2 | June 1 |
Example: If you have a fellowship in the fall and a work appointment in the spring, your last fellowship check will arrive on December 1, and your first check for the work appointment will arrive on February 1 and will be for the half month from January 15 to February 1.
Direct Deposit
Fellowships may be electronically deposited. Instructions for setting up direct deposit can be found here.
Insurance and Other Benefits
The Graduate School urges all students to maintain health insurance coverage. A Graduate School fellowship may include an additional payment to off-set the cost of medical insurance. However, a fellowship does not automatically provide the recipient with health insurance. Fellows have several options for meeting their health insurance needs, two provided by UT are summarized below. Fellows can meet their insurance needs in the ACA market place.
| AcademicBlue (Student Health Plan) | UT Select (Staff Insurance Plan - fellowship must be at least $10,000) |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO - GOLD Level Plan | Blue Cross Blue Shield - GOLD Level Plan |
| Full year of Medical - $3,313 | Full year of Medical - $8,102 |
| Dental - $264/year | UT Select Dental - $106 - $737/year (3 plans available) |
| Add-on Vision Plan -$180 - $300 (3 plans available | Superior Vision Plus - $60 - $92/year (2 plans available) |
If you are a graduate student fellow with a fellowship worth at least $10,000, you have the option to mix and match enrollment in AcademicBlue and UT Select to save costs. You may choose to enroll in the AcademicBlue medical insurance plan, and also enroll in the UT Select vision and/or dental plans. By doing so, you may be able to significantly reduce your out of pocket costs, and still have access to an exceptional level of care.
Insurance for Graduate Student Fellows
Review the Human Resources site for the healthcare options for fellows and their eligible dependents.
Federal & State Income Tax
Tax Considerations for Graduate Students
University fellowship stipends are subject to federal income tax, but there is no state income tax in Texas. Since the university will not withhold federal income tax from fellowship stipends, Fellows must make estimated tax payments.
If you are a foreign student and your country does not have a tax treaty with the United States, 14 percent for Federal income tax will be withheld from the fellowship stipend checks.
Social Security Number
If a student does not have a valid taxpayer number (SSN or ITIN) on file with student records, they will be required to either take the SSN card to the registrar's office or self-report their tax number on UT Direct.
Government Loans and other Financial Aid
If a student receives a fellowship or funding from another source, their financial need will decrease, and the amounts they are eligible for in other forms of financial aid (loans) may have to be adjusted. Students who receive a fellowship should contact the Student Financial Aid office to determine how this other resource may affect their financial aid award.
Selective Service Requirements
Texas Education Code Section 51.9095
Texas Education Code Section 51.9095 requires all males between the ages of 18 and 25 receiving a loan, grant, scholarship, or other financial assistance funded by state revenue, including federal funds or gifts and grants accepted by this state, or receive a student loan guaranteed by this state or the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, must register for Selective Service in order to qualify for specified exemptions and waivers.