Division of Enrollment Management › Student Financial Services › Billing & Payments › Payment Options › Departmental/Payroll Graduate Students

Departmental Support via Payroll Deduction

Are you receiving a stipend with departmental tuition and mandatory fee support? If so, you are part of a Payroll Deduction process that involves Student Accounts, Payroll, and HR. Deductions for tuition and certain fees will be posted to your student account incrementally throughout the semester following CMU’s semi-monthly pay schedule (example below):

Payroll Deduction Example Image

You may still owe a personal balance. Some fees on your student account are not part of your departmental support. Failure to pay these in a timely manner can lead to registration delays, financial holds on your account, and interest. Your department can define for you which fees they cover as part of your support. If you have questions or concerns about your personal balance, please contact student-accounts@andrew.cmu.edu.

Graduate Student Transition Loans

The Graduate Student Transition (GST) Loan is a no-interest, semester loan available to first-semester Carnegie Mellon graduate students only to assist with transitional expenses. GST loans may not exceed 75% of the student's monthly gross salary/stipend (exclusive of tuition).

To obtain a GST loan, students must contact their department to complete a Transition Loan form. An additional $25 processing fee will be deducted from the student’s pay in semi-monthly equal installments each semester. Graduate students must receive funding via payroll deduction to qualify for a transition loan.

Students who do not qualify for a GST loan and require a short-term loan may apply for an Emergency Loan through Student Affairs.

Are You a Staff Member Responsible for your Department's PD Support process?

See our Primer describing the process and reminders to help you in your support of your students.

These types of fees are usually your responsibility:

Mandatory student fees (technology, transportation, and student activities)
Individual Health insurance (Masters’ only)
Two Person or Family Level Health Insurance (anyone, but PhDs can receive support for the Individual-Level cost. See below.)
Dental and Vision Insurance
IRS Tax Withholding
Student Health Services Visit Fees
Library and Parking Fines
Required Course Materials
Lost or Damaged ID Card Charges
Other One-Time Student Account Charges

Health Insurance

The PhD insurance support credit may be taxable based on your country’s tax treaty with the United States. If this is the case, an IRS Tax Withholding fee (up to $433.02 for the 2026-2027 year) will be added to your account at the same time as the PhD insurance support credit.