Compensation and Benefits
Graduate student stipends and benefits provided by the University that are unrelated to employment and, therefore, outside of the scope of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) are generally subject to University discretion and the terms of any offer letters provided to prospective students.
Base Stipend
Graduate students in the bargaining unit (i.e., providing research or instructional services for the University) received a base stipend increase on September 1, 2024 under the terms of the CBA.
The University extended the stipend increases as those in their program who are performing research or instructional services for the University to the following four additional groups of students same: 1) graduate students in full-funded PhD and TGS MFA programs who are in their period of guaranteed funding, 2) graduate students enrolled in the Kellogg School of Management PhD program who are in their period of guaranteed funding, 3) graduate students in the Bienen School of Music who are enrolled in the doctor of musical arts (DMA) program and in their period of guaranteed funding, and 4) graduate students in the Bienen School of Music who are enrolled in the masters of music (MM) program and whose offers of admission include funding.
PhD students receive a TGS base stipend rate of $45,000 per year beginning on September 1, 2024 for any full quarters of funding, including student banked quarters or advanced student quarters.
Hourly Rate
Graduate student employees not enrolled in full-funded programs, employees who are beyond their period of guaranteed funding, and/or employees working pursuant to appointments outside of or in addition to the base funding related to their academic program are paid a minimum hourly rate of $23 per hour effective September 1, 2024.
Multipurpose Payment
Graduate students in the bargaining unit (i.e., those students who are providing research or instructional services for the University) who are registered full-time in a funded registration in full-funded programs and in their period of guaranteed funding receive a $100 annual multipurpose payment.
The multipurpose payment was initially paid in the May 2024 pay period for everyone in the bargaining unit since ratification. Those who begin offering services in future terms will be paid by the end of the first quarter in which they enter the bargaining unit.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
In addition to 100% individual medical insurance coverage for employees in full-funded programs and in their period of guaranteed funding, the CBA includes 100% individual dental insurance coverage and 100% individual vision insurance coverage for the same group.
At the University’s discretion, all graduate students enrolled in a full-funded program (PhD, MFA, or DMA) and in their period of guaranteed funding may also enroll in individual vision and/or dental insurance at 100% coverage. PhD students who are fully funded and registered full-time in a funded registration will also be eligible to enroll in individual vision and/or dental insurance at 100% coverage at the University’s discretion.
Enrollment details and FAQs may be found on the Northwestern University Graduate Student Workers Benefit Plans website.
TGS Childcare Grant
The TGS childcare grant offers extra childcare support to fully funded PhD and MFA student parents within TGS. The childcare grant award amounts have increased and a third child up to the age of 13 may be added under the terms of the union contract. The University has increased the combined family income threshold from $130,000 to $150,000 to align with eligibility for Northwestern's other caregiving programs.
Grants are awarded as follows:
- Maximum $5,000 for one child per year
- Maximum $8,000 for two children per year
- Maximum $12,000 for three children per year
Application details and FAQs may be found on the TGS Graduate Student Childcare Grant webpage on the Human Resources website.