Student Benefits

An important piece of the agreement between the University and BUGWU is connecting our graduate workers with several new benefits which are becoming available to them. These benefits impact a variety of areas from health to commuter discounts, and we know how much they matter. Implementing the contract is a complex endeavor, and we are working with urgency to activate these benefits as quickly as possible. Some benefits are available immediately, while others will be coming online in the weeks to come. We encourage you to bookmark this page, as we will be updating this information regularly.

Note that some benefits listed below are available to all graduate students as part of their academic experience, but we include them because they are also referenced in the contract.

Benefits Available through the BUGWU Collective Bargaining Agreement

Benefit	Status
Compensation New rates went into effect on Friday 11/15, for work completed on or after that date. While some adjustments processed early, new rates were reflected in the 11/22 payroll.	New rates are in effect
Aetna Dental Insurance All graduate students can purchase dental insurance for themselves and dependents through Aetna. This plan is not administered by BU Student Health Services and must be purchased directly through Aetna at aetnastudenthealth.com/bu. In addition, BU will now subsidize the annual cost by $100 for PhD students. The Aetna Dental PPO plan covers dental services for both in-network and out-of-network providers. The cost for the 2024-2025 plan year is $452 and coverage lasts from 8/15 to 8/14. For questions about the Aetna Dental PPO plan, please contact Aetna customer service. Reimbursement Details To qualify for the subsidy, students must enroll in the Aetna dental plan specifically offered to BU students. Open enrollment for the plan is available during the following periods: July to September (fall semester) and mid-November to January (spring semester). Eligible students will receive reimbursement through their Student Accounts by the end of the month following their enrollment. For example, students who enroll in January will receive their reimbursement by the end of February. Note: In March 2025, reimbursement payments will be issued to students who are enrolled in the Aetna dental plan and qualify for the subsidy under the BUGWU contract.	Enroll Now
BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) SHIP is Boston University’s health insurance plan for all enrolled students. It is offered through Aetna. SHIP may be the best—and most affordable—option for covering your healthcare outside of Student Health Services (SHS). We automatically enroll all students who are legally required to have health insurance in SHIP. This includes all full-time, three-quarter time and all international students. Child Health Insurance Subsidy: The University has also added coverage of the cost of adding dependents aged 0-6 for PhD students within specific income thresholds. More information on enrolling in this new child health care subsidy can be found on the Student Accounting Services website. Health care benefits will also continue to include gender-affirming care. Reimbursement Details Open enrollment periods for the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) end in either September or January. During the months following the two open enrollment periods October and February, respectively), students eligible to receive reimbursements will receive their payments through their Student Accounts. If a qualifying life event occurs outside of the open enrollment periods, eligible students may contact unionfaq@bu.edu to initiate their request to initiate their reimbursement. By early March 2025, reimbursement payments will be issued to students who have dependents enrolled in the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and qualify for the subsidy under the BUGWU contract.	Learn More
MBTA Pass Discount Graduate workers who choose this benefit will be provided with a total 50% subsidy for MBTA passes. During the academic year, this will reflect an additional 39% subsidized rate for the student pass on top of the existing 11% discount provided by the MBTA. During the intersession and summer term months, this will reflect a 50% subsidy on the pass chosen by the graduate worker. * Please note that, per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, members may only choose one commuting benefit each semester – the MBTA pass discount or the bicycling benefit (see below), but not both. Reimbursement Details To qualify for MBTA pass subsidies, students must purchase their passes by the deadlines set by Transportation Services. This applies to both fall and spring semester passes, as well as monthly passes for January, June, July, and August. Eligible students will receive reimbursement via check, mailed to their Current Address as listed in MyBU Student, by the end of the month following their MBTA pass purchase. (In year one of contract implementation this subsidy will be paid out by the end of March 2025.) Important: Ensure your Current Address in MyBU Student is accurate when purchasing your MBTA pass to receive your reimbursement promptly This reimbursement is tax reportable to the IRS.  Boston University Payment Services will issue you a 1099-MISC form for any amounts $600 or greater.	Apply Now
Bicycling Benefit If you commute by bicycle to and from your job at BU, you may be eligible to be reimbursed for up to $300. To learn more about this benefit, please visit the BU Bicycle Commuter Reimbursement Benefit page. Graduate workers will also have access to the Bluebikes discount program, which provides eligible students access to Metro Boston’s bike share program at a discounted annual rate. Learn more on the Bluebikes program page.	Apply Now
Childcare Benefit The University will provide a fund to support childcare subsidies of up to $3,500/year for PhD students (and other students who receive full-time stipend support) within their funding guarantee. Graduate workers must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing, and combined household modified adjusted gross income must be $100,000 or less. Reimbursement Details On an annual basis (generally in November), a communication will be distributed to graduate students with instructions on how to apply for the childcare subsidy benefits. Applications will be open through early January (with specific date noted in annual communication). Eligible students will receive their reimbursement payment through their Student Account by early March.	Apply Now
Graduate Student Help Fund The University is establishing a help fund up to assist students facing emergencies or with professional development funding support through grants of up to $1,500. Emergency funding is awarded at the University’s discretion, while professional development funding is awarded by a joint committee of three BUGWU representatives and three University representatives.	Student Emergency Fund Request Professional Development Funding – Coming Online Soon

Student Benefits

Benefits Available through the BUGWU Collective Bargaining Agreement

Reimbursement Details

Reimbursement Details

Reimbursement Details

Reimbursement Details