Student Handbook

Financial information

FIELD SUPPORT

Students making satisfactory progress receive financial support, including tuition fellowships or waivers. Senior students who would normally be supported on a research grant but find that their research group is temporarily low in funding might be asked to teach additional semesters in order to receive stipend and tuition support from the Department of MBG.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires that Form I-9 be filed with the University for ALL graduate students. The Graduate Field Assistant will distribute and collect forms for all students. An I-9 must be on file before a student’s first check can be released. International students are also required to complete a Foreign National Questionnaire.

All stipends (assistantships and fellowships) are considered taxable income. State and Federal income tax is withheld from all assistantship paychecks that are processed semi-monthly through Cornell’s payroll system. Fellowships are processed through the Graduate School and taxes are not withheld. However, these awards are taxable and students are responsible for filing a tax return and for paying taxes. Estimated taxes are paid quarterly. You must obtain the forms (local library has them) and submit them to the IRS. You may be fined if you don't pay the estimated taxes. Tuition is not considered taxable income unless provided directly for “services rendered.” Books and supplies are deductible and receipts should be kept (consult your tax advisor).

METHODS OF PAYMENT TO GRADUATE STUDENTS

Method A

As a Graduate Research Assistant or a Teaching Assistant a student is considered an employee of the university. Student payment is processed through the payroll system. The student is paid semi-monthly a fixed amount based on the annual stipend rate. Timecards are not required or collected. Taxes are withheld from the student check – the amount will vary depending on how the student fills out the W-4 form. The W-4 form can be changed anytime during the year. The student will receive a W-2 from the university to the address listed on your paycheck. You are strongly encouraged to use direct deposit; forms can be obtained from the GFA in 107 Biotech. Checks may be picked up in 107 Biotech. The first check should be available on August 31. Students must be registered and have a completed I-9 form to receive a check.

Method B

The student is on a fellowship, either university fellowship or supported by a departmental fellowship (the BMCB and Genetics training grant support is considered a fellowship payment). Students are paid once per semester for fellowship support. This check is issued at the beginning of each semester of study. Most stipend checks should be available at 143 Caldwell, after registration. Checks are released to registered Cornell students presenting a valid Cornell ID. Taxes ARE NOT withheld from fellowship checks and you are responsible for paying estimated taxes on your taxable income. If you need a form 1040-ES worksheet to help you figure your estimated taxes, please pick one up from the GFA, 107 Biotech. If you are supported during the summer months from a fellowship, you will receive a check in mid-June and early July.

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments are made through the Bursar system. Fall tuition is credited by September and Spring tuition is credited by January to your bursar bill. The tuition payment should be taken care of automatically for most students. If you have questions regarding your bursar bill, please see Diane Colf, GFA .

Health Insurance

All registered grad students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), an accident/illness policy that meets the health insurance standards developed by the American College Health Association. The yearly premium is paid by your source of financial support and should be taken of care automatically. Please contact Diane Colf, GFA if there remains a charge on your bursar bill. Additional family coverage and/or optional dental and vision insurance is available at a cost to the student. More information can be found on Gannett's Web site, www.studentinsurance.cornell.edu.