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 (effective July 1, 2026) for MCB students is $49,392 per year; $4,116 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 $2,058. 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 appointment ends or changes before completing five pay periods in that academic payroll quarter, the student could potentially lose their tuition waiver and insurance coverage. 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 will automatically be enrolled when their Academic Student Employee (ASE) appointment is created on the UW payroll system, Workday. The insurance become effective the month after the appointment starts.
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
- UW Libraries
- Office of the University Registrar
- MCB courses offered at Fred Hutch
- Office of Scientific Career Development (OSCD)
Administrative
Health and Wellness
- Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
- Disability Services Office
- Childcare Assistance Program
- Husky Health Center
Map and Shuttle Information