Graduate stipends are distributed semi-monthly through the Rice payroll system. For payroll purposes, the fall semester begins on August 16th, the first payday on August 30th, the spring semester begins on January 1st, and the first payday on January 15th. The last paycheck for the spring semester is issued on May 15th.
If you will be receiving a stipend through your department, these must be completed for your check to be released on the appropriate payday:
- You must complete your I-9 and present the original documents to the payroll office.
- Fellowship recipients are not considered employees; therefore, the I-9 requirement does not apply to them. These individuals will only complete the I-9 after they receive an offer letter regarding a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant position.
- Link to I-9 Student Guidelines (Rice University)
- Link to I-9 form (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- You must be registered full-time (at least 9 hours per term) for the current semester in which you receive a student stipend.
- If you have not submitted a W-4 tax form to Payroll, you will still receive pay, but taxes will be withheld at the highest rate.
Link to W-4 form (IRS) - Your department must submit your payroll authorization form by the deadline.
See the Student Payroll Calendars on the Controller's website for pay periods. Graduate stipends are paid on the HR payroll. When you arrive on campus, you will be able to sign up for direct deposit of your paychecks and suppression of paper check stubs. Click here for more information.
Please contact your department graduate administrator for specific questions about your stipend that are not answered here.
Reviewed December 2023