PhD Annual Funding Checklist

Jump to: 

Autumn Quarter

Winter Quarter

Spring Quarter

Direct deposit sign-up instructions 

Student Services Fee Waiver Instructions

Autumn Quarter

Before the quarter starts (all students)

  • Review the funding letter that you receive from your Student Affairs Administrator (SAA). Immediately communicate with your SAA about any questions you may have.
  • Update your addresses in my.uchicago.edu, including your physical address
    • It is important we have accurate contact information for you in the event of an emergency
    • If you do not sign up for direct deposit, a check may be mailed to your physical address. Inaccurate addresses could result in a delay in receiving your funding
  • Update your addresses in Workday
    • If you do not sign up for direct deposit, a check may be mailed to your physical address. Inaccurate addresses could result in a delay in receiving your funding
  • Sign up for direct deposit in both Workday (US bank account needed)

PhD Students: Pay attention to the expected payment dates provided by your Student Affairs Administrator and check your account/mail to ensure that you received your funding on the expected payment date. Report any issues to your SAA immediately

Winter Quarter

  • If you have had any changes of address, update in both Workday and my.uchicago.edu
  • Review your funding letter for information about your Winter Quarter funding (Please note some departments will include information about funding for Winter and Spring in the funding letter you receive in Autumn, so review your Autumn letter or any subsequent communications you receive).
  • Review your accounts on the days you expect to receive payments and report any issues to your SAA immediately

Spring Quarter

  • If you have had any changes of address, update in both Workday and my.uchicago.edu
  • Review your funding letter for information about your Spring Quarter funding (Please note some departments will include information about funding for Winter and Spring in the funding letter you receive in Autumn, so review your Autumn letter or any subsequent communications you receive).
  • Review your accounts on the days you expect to receive payments and report any issues to your SAA immediately
    • For TA/RA: you will receive your final payment for Spring Quarter at the end of June after the quarter has ended

PhD Funding Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct deposit?

Direct deposit authorizes the University to deposit your funding directly in your bank account. Signing up for direct deposit means you are changing the way you receive your funding (paper check vs digital deposit). Please note direct deposit requires a US bank account.

How do I know when I will receive payment and how often will I receive payment? 

You can check expected payment dates on the Dean of Students website.

I didn't receive a payment on time. What should I do next? 

If you expected to receive a payment and do not see it in your account, double-check the expected payment dates. If you still believe there is an error, reach out to your Student Affairs Administrator immediately. 

Can I waive the Student Services Fee?

Only students who reside more than 50 miles from campus and will not be on campus during the quarter are eligible to apply for a waiver of the Student Services Fee

To Bursar accepts Student Services Fee waiver applications through third week of a quarter. To apply for a waiver, follow the instructions below: 

  1. Log in to my.uchicago.edu
  2. Hover over/click "Finances"
  3. Select "Account"
  4. Select "Student Service Fee Waiver"
  5. Complete the form and submit
  6. Send an email to your Student Affairs Administrator to let them know you requested the fee waiver

I have questions about taxes. What should I do? 

Students with questions about taxes should contact UChicagoGRAD at gradhelp@uchicago.edu. You can also review tax resources for MS students and for PhD students