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Graduate Student Hardship Fund

The Graduate Student Hardship Fund provides financial assistance (up to $1,500 per student) to eligible graduate students experiencing unexpected financial hardship. This program is funded by the President’s Office, administered through the Graduate School and is intended to provide limited support for urgent needs related to medical expenses, food insecurity, housing instability, transportation costs and technology access.

This is a one-time funding initiative, available through December 2026 and subject to reporting requirements to the President’s Office. Funds are intended as a gift and do not require repayment.

This assistance is not intended to cover routine or recurring educational expenses such as tuition, fees, or course books and materials.

Program Eligibility

  • Enrolled full-time in a Graduate School graduate degree program
  • Experiencing documented financial hardship related to eligible categories (medical, food, housing, transportation, or technology needs) as evidenced by the submission of a required application

Procedure

  • Submit a completed application form to the Graduate School Finance and Administration team.
  • Applications are reviewed by the Graduate School for eligibility and approval.
  • Students are notified of the decision.
  • If approved, the award is processed as a one-time financial disbursement (gift).
  • Payment will be issued through SOLAR and all refund information will be sent to the student’s Stony Brook e-mail account.
  • Students should anticipate at least two weeks for fund distribution, following final application approval. 

Important Notes

  • This is an emergency hardship grant that does not need to be repaid.
  • Awards are limited and subject to available funding.
  • Applications will not be accepted after December 4, 2026, or until program funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
  • The program is subject to internal reporting and compliance review.
  • Applications are confidential and reviewed by the Graduate School and Student Support Team only.

For questions, please contact gradfinance@stonybrook.edu.

Tax Considerations

Please note that receipt of a Graduate Student Hardship Fund award may have tax implications.

Because these awards are intended to support hardship related expenses rather than qualified educational expenses such as tuition, required fees, or required course materials, the award will generally be treated as taxable income. See IRS Publication 970 and IRS Topic 421 for more information.

Tax and reporting information based on your residency status
  • Domestic Students (i.e., U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens): The amount of the award may be reflected in Box 5 on the Form 1098-T.
  • International Students (i.e., Nonresident Aliens): The amount of the award may be reported on Form 1042-S and may also be subject to tax withholding, depending on residency status and any applicable tax treaty. See IRS Publication 515 for more information on withholding and 1042-S reporting. 

The Graduate School and Stony Brook University are not able to provide individual tax advice. If you have questions about how this award may affect your personal tax return, please consult a qualified tax professional.