Glossary of Fellowships Terms
Stipends
Rackham pays fellowship stipends by monthly disbursements. For example, if you receive a Fall and Winter award, you will be paid in 10 installments with two installments occurring in September and January. If you receive an award for one term only, you will be paid in 4 installments with 2 occurring at the beginning of the term. Please see the disbursement calendar for disbursement dates.
Tuition
Tuition and a registration fee will be applied directly toward your account.
Taxes
All stipends are taxable income. You will need to report this as income, but you will not receive a form from the university. All tuition funds are not taxable income. Additional information, links to forms, and phone numbers regarding taxes is available.
Insurance
If your fellowship comes with GradCare health insurance, please be aware that you are automatically enrolled in single coverage and Dental Option1 unless you make changes in Wolverine Access.
Address
Be sure to update your various addresses when you arrive on campus. Your address can be easily updated in the Student Business section of Wolverine Access. If you do not select direct deposit, your stipend would be mailed to your current address as listed on Wolverine Access. It is important to keep this updated during times that you may be away from campus.
Registration
All students must be registered full-time. Stipends will not be processed for less than full-time students. Please be aware that the payroll office checks registrations each Wednesday night. When a match is made, it will take several additional days before the check is available. We strongly recommend you register full-time at least 2 weeks prior to the official registration period.
Employment
Each fellowship has employment restrictions. Please be sure to check with the guidelines of your program before accepting employment. More information on student employment is available from the Office of Financial Aid. Information on Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) appointments is available. Information on the Graduate Employees Organization can be found at their website.
Deposit Forms
If you have filed a bank authorization with the Payroll Office (G395 Wolverine-Low Rise, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1279, 734-936-3381) at least three weeks prior to the official registration period of Fall term, it will be deposited there. If you do not have an authorization on file, the Payroll Office will mail it to the local address you have indicated in their database. For information on local banks check out the Campus Information Centers website has a list of financial institutions in Ann Arbor.
Graduate Programs
Check in with your program when you get to campus. The graduate program coordinator is especially important to become familiar with there.
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