Expanded Access to Student Benefits (HGSU-UAW)

The University has taken steps to expand students’ access to benefits. Both the University and HGSU-UAW agree that fluctuations in student-worker status during a student’s time at Harvard have created uncertainty around access to benefits pools included in the previous HGSU-UAW contract. To address these concerns, the University has expanded access to various student benefits.

Benefits for PhD Students: 

PhD students, who account for 60% of HGSU-UAW membership, receive living expense support and grants covering full tuition, along with other benefits, totaling at least $425,000 over a minimum of five years. Benefits available to all PhD students include:

  • Fully Subsidized Health Insurance: PhD students receive a subsidy for 100% ($6,108 the 2025-2026 academic year) of the cost of their Harvard University Health Insurance Plan and their Student Health Fee.  
  • Fully Subsidized Dental Insurance: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, PhD students receiving tuition and health fee coverage will see an increase in the subsidy for dental insurance, from 75% to 100% of the preventive care plan premium.  
  • Parental Benefit Stipend: Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, PhD students who are parents will receive an annual stipend of at least $6,500, per family, to help offset the costs associated with raising children.  
  • Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS): PhD students are eligible for financial support following a childbirth or adoption event. In academic year 2025-2026, this stipend totaled $7,484.

Benefits Available to All Harvard Students: 

Harvard students, including non-PhD HGSU-UAW members, have access to a variety of benefits, including:

  • Emergency Hardship Fund: Each of Harvard’s Schools maintain an emergency hardship fund program. Students may find out more about the availability and process for applying for these funds through their School’s financial aid office.  
  • Emergency Funds for International Students: Non-citizen students can apply for emergency funds toward financial hardship. Available through the University and the Vivian Allen International Fund, full-time non-citizen students can receive more information through their School’s financial aid office. In addition to any potential emergency funding, non-citizen students have access to a range of resources and services provided through the Harvard International Office. 

Legal Services Available to Eligible HGSU-UAW Members: 

  • Legal Services: In addition to the student benefits above, the University proposed that salaried HGSU-UAW members will have access to a subsidized legal services plan, which includes access to immigration-related legal services, at the same price as is available to Harvard’s full-time employees.