Molecular & Cellular Biology Graduate Program

Student Resources

Financial Support

The MCB program supports a student from the time of entry into the program until the time a permanent advisor is selected (first year). Once a permanent advisor has been selected, it becomes the responsibility of the advisor to support the MCB student for the remainder of the student’s graduate education.

This financial support includes an annual salary, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Students with satisfactory academic progress are guaranteed this financial support for the duration of study.

Students are responsible for paying mandatory UW quarterly student fees, which include:

  • Service & Activities fee
  • IMA Bond fee
  • Facilities Renovation fee

For the most current mandatory fee rates, use the Graduate and Professional Tuition Dashboard.

Salary

The current salary rate for MCB students is $48,420 per year; $4,035 per month (gross). This is a 50% FTE graduate student appointment (Predoctoral Research Associate 2). There are two (2) pay periods each month; therefore your gross salary per paycheck will be $2,017.50. This income is taxable so there will be federal income tax withholding (except for international students & dependent on their country’s treaty with the United States). There is no personal state income tax in Washington. This salary is presumed to be the salary for a single student.  The MCB Office is the home payroll department for all first year students during their rotations.  Responsibility for payroll is transferred to the dissertation advisor’s home department/institution when each student enters his/her dissertation lab.

Paychecks generally become available on the 10th and 25th of each month. They each reflect the preceding pay period just completed (e.g., the “25th“paycheck is for the 1-15 days of that month). For a complete list of paycheck dates, review the UW Integrated Service Center Payroll Calendar.

A student may be affected by the “5 of 6 pay periods” rule  if they intend to leave UW (or change from a GSA status to a postdoc status on the UW payroll). If a student goes off the payroll before completing five pay periods in that academic payroll quarter, the student will lose their tuition waiver and the insurance coverage will be cancelled. All students who plan to leave before the end of any quarter must notify the MCB program staff. There are a number of options which do not incur excessive tuition and insurance costs, but must be planned in advance.

Insurance

All MCB students receive their UW-paid medical/dental/ vision coverage via the Graduate Appointment Insurance Plan (GAIP). Detailed information regarding GAIP can be found on the UWHR GAIP website.

Each student must initially enroll for their coverage after they have been put on the UW payroll system (MCB admin staff will notify you when to enroll). A student must have a GSA (or fellowship/stipend appointment) to qualify for this insurance. The insurance becomes effective the month after the student enrolls. Incoming MCB students will enroll in September and it will become effective October 1.  

The GAIP also provides student-paid coverage for student dependents (spouse/children/SSDP). If you need dependent coverage, please check the GAIP website carefully for instructions and deadlines. The deadlines are strict and usually earlier than for the UW-paid coverage for the student.

Fellowships and Awards

MCB students receive a one-time $2,000 travel award and a one-time $1,500 fellowship. MCB/MSTP students do not receive this award or fellowship.

The travel award is used by students to attend meetings and/or conferences to present their data.

The fellowship can be used at each student’s discretion. Some students have used the fellowship to cover moving costs or have purchased new technology (ex. new laptop).

Academic and Professional Development

Administrative

Health and Wellness

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