Sfs funding & cost
Get answers below to frequently asked questions about costs and funding for the SFS program.
- How is my stipend paid?
- When is my stipend paid?
- What do I need to do to get the stipend?
- What does the stipend cover?
- What is not covered by SFS explicitly?
- How is my tuition paid?
- What is the $1,000 “conference” allowance cover?
You are paid for each month of the academic year (AY) and the stipend is pro-rated for the first and last month of the academic appointment. The stipend is $1,333.33 gross. For instance, AY 2009, the appointment began on August 25 and ended on May 11. For August and May, the stipend is pro-rated. The stipend should be taxed at the federal level only. Please note--if you accept a concurrent job on campus, there may be complications or tax issues.
Your stipend is paid through the Carnegie Mellon University Payroll system. Currently, the stipends are paid once a month at the end of that month. For example, January’s stipend would be paid on January 31.
What do I need to do to get the stipend?
You must provide your name, address, SSN, and complete an I-9 form in person as soon as possible. This is tricky in August during your first year as payroll deadlines are typically around the 20th of the month.
The stipend is intended to help defray the fees charged by the University. You may use the money as you wish, but you are responsible for the fees assessed by the University above and beyond tuition. Typically, these are things such as health insurance, activity fees, etc.
What is not covered by SFS explicitly?
The SFS program at Carnegie Mellon does not explicitly cover room and board. The scholarship provides for 100% tuition and a monthly academic stipend of $1,333.33 (gross) to be pro-rated during the first and last month of the academic year.
The tuition payment process is a manual process handled by CyLab Administration. Once your academic department verifies the payment, CyLab submits payment through a series of accounting entry requests to Enrollment Services. There is nothing that you need to do to have this paid. In the event you see a late notice on your student bill, you should contact CyLab. CyLab will ensure that any late fees are removed due to timing issues and administrative errors.
What is the $1,000 “conference” allowance cover?
There is an allowance set aside to help defray the cost of any exams you would need to take or to attend a relevant conference or job fair. This is to assist you in securing a position. The current allowance of $1,000 spans both years of your education.
Who to contact:
Tina Yankovich
CyLab
Senior Administrative Coordinator of Special Programs & Events
tinay@andrew.cmu.edu
Cathy Schaefer
CyLab
Director of Business Operations
cathys@cmu.edu