Getting Started

Creating your U-M Account

Just about everything you do at the University, from sending and receiving emails, receiving your stipend, using your health insurance coverage, checking out library books, and riding the Ann Arbor city bus, requires you to be an official member of the University community. In order to do this, you will need to create a U-M account, which involves getting your individualized “uniqname” (or login ID) and creating a password. Your fellowship cannot begin until you complete this step. 

Contact Ashley if you encounter any difficulty: asbates@umich.edu

Stipends and Banking

Stipend Disbursement Dates:

FY 2025-26 stipend payments - date the payment is available to Fellows:

Upon arrival                          $5000 relocation support stipend and $9400 stipend check

September 22, 2025     $9450

October 20, 2025           $9450

November 17, 2025      $9450

December 12, 2025      $9450

January 26, 2026           $9450

February 23, 2026        $9450

March 23, 2026              $9450

April 20, 2026                  $9450

International Fellows will have 14% US tax withheld from all stipends.

Tax Information

U.S. Fellows

For U.S. Fellows, unless you are a tax expert, we strongly recommend that you consult with a tax professional to prepare for the impact your fellowship stipend might have on your annual tax obligations and minimize the risk of any unpleasant surprises at tax time. Since you know the exact amount of your stipend each year, you could begin to consult with a tax professional this summer or in the early stages of your fellowship.

Although the university does not withhold any taxes from your stipend check, the fellowship stipend is taxable. Thus, you should have a plan to either set aside a portion of each check for taxes, or be prepared to pay a larger amount at tax time. Some previous Fellows have opted to pay periodic estimated taxes to reduce their tax burden in April.

You will not receive a tax form or statement from the University of Michigan, but you can use your UM "final pay statement", which shows the total received in that year.  This is outlined in the links below. Tax preparers can use the end-of-year statement for the tax return (along with your other earnings from 2025). 

Here is what the IRS says about fellowships:

Generally, you report any portion of a scholarship, a fellowship grant, or other grant that you must include in gross income as follows:

• If filing Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR, include the taxable portion in the total amount reported on Line 1a of your tax return. If the taxable amount wasn't reported on Form W-2, enter it on Line 8 (attach Schedule 1 (Form 1040)PDF).

• If filing Form 1040-NR, report the taxable amount on Line 8 (attach Schedule 1 (Form 1040)).

On the UM website, the University's Finance section explains why fellows don't get a tax form and it offers a way to get documentation if you need it by emailing someone in Finance. From this page, you can also watch videos about how to file taxes related to stipends. Finance also offers this University of Michigan guide that explains how to report fellowship and other funding to the IRS. It's quite dated but the info seems the same.  Similar several tax/fellowship guides from other universities, including Harvard and Princeton are helpful too. 

We will discuss this more during orientation in August.

International Fellows

International Fellows will receive a form that shows the stipend amount received; 14% in taxes are automatically deducted. The website of the U-M International Center provides resources on taxes that you may wish to consult. https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/resources/tax

Some previous International Fellows have used the "Glacier Tax Preparation" software for filing taxes from anywhere in the world, and possibly recouping some or most of the taxes withheld. This is also accessible through the International Center website. Contact the Center for more details, including an access code for the software.

U.S. tax laws and IRS regulations do change periodically, as do the tax treaties the U.S. has with other countries. We suggest a timely consultation with your tax advisor.

Health Care

U.S. Fellows

As a Knight-Wallace Fellow, you and your eligible dependents will be provided with a health insurance plan through the university called “GradCare.”

GradCare medical coverage and Dental Option I will be paid in full by Wallace House for you and your eligible dependents. Eligible dependents must live with you in the Ann Arbor area for the duration of the fellowship. Your coverage will start August 1, 2025 and end April 30, 2026. Initially, you will be enrolled for single person coverage. You will receive information from the benefits office about electing benefits for your eligible dependents, retroactive to August 1, 2025. You will have from August 1 to August 30, 2025 to elect eligible dependents. You can also choose more comprehensive dental coverage (called Options II and III) along with vision and legal coverage. However, these additional options are at your personal expense. If you choose these options, they will be billed to your student account.

You can continue GradCare coverage at your personal expense under the GradCare continuance plan for you and your eligible dependents at the end of your fellowship year for up to 18 months. For more information about healthcare coverage available to you as a “Benefit-Eligible Fellowship Holder,” go to the Human Resources Benefits Office page.

https://hr.umich.edu/benefits-wellness/health-well-being/health-plans/gradcare

If you are currently covered by your employer’s or your spouse’s health insurance plan and wish to continue under your current plan during the fellowship, you may continue to do so, but please let Wallace House Financial Manager Jennifer Halseth (jhalseth@umich.edu)  know of those arrangements. Be aware that you would be responsible for continuing to pay any premiums toward that plan. And you should check the availability of providers and services under your plan while living in Michigan.

International Fellows

All international fellows MUST have insurance coverage for the duration of your visa. Upon arrival in Ann Arbor, international fellows MUST attend an orientation session with the U-M International Center in order to obtain health insurance. This insurance will be paid in full by Wallace House for you and your eligible dependents from August 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Any insurance coverage extended beyond the time period of the fellowship will be at your own expense. If your employer provides your health care insurance while you are in the U.S., you will need a written statement from your health insurance provider stating the terms and coverage.  You can find information about health care coverage on the International Center site. 

https://internationalcenter.umich.edu/resources/healthins

DRIVERS' LICENSE AND CARS

Depending on where you live and what your needs are you may want to buy a car. International Fellows can find information on how to obtain a Michigan Driver's License or advice on buying a car on the International Center's website.

ACCESSING YOUR STUDENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

• Go to Wolverine Access

• Click on the "Students" tab.

• Click on "Student Business" and enter your uniquname (the text before @umich.edu in your email address) and your password to access your personal information and records.

• Under "Finances," select "Account Inquiry" to view information about your Student Account.

• Select "Charges Due," which provides a summary by due date of charges you owe, links to individual invoices, and provides a link for paying your account charges.