Food Security and Financial Resources
Life as a student can be expensive and navigating the different resources can be challenging. It doesn’t matter who you are; not being able to access enough food to sustain an active healthy lifestyle or worrying about finances are issues that many students face. If you are a student who is struggling with finances or accessing enough food, these resources at MIT may be able to help!
- Undergraduate students who wish to receive donated meal swipes can talk to a Dean in Student Support Services or complete the Meal Request Form
- Graduate students looking for food resources can submit the Grad Student Food Resources Form
Looking to donate meals? Students on a meal plan can donate meal swipes online by completing this form. If you have an ‘Any’ or ‘Block’ meal plan you can donate up to 6 ‘Guest Meals’ per semester.
Contact the Food Security Action Team if you have any questions or recommendations about food resources.
- Undergraduate student guide to food @ MIT – An undergraduate student guide to food at MIT
- Graduate student guide to food @ MIT – A graduate student guide to food at MIT
- MIT food and grocery map – Explore locations in the Greater Boston area to learn where to access food and groceries
- Cook for Yourself Community Kitchens Guide – Descriptions of the communities, what supplies are provided in each kitchen, and how residents can access them.
Featured local grocers:
- Daily Table – a nonprofit community grocer dedicated to providing fresh, tasty, convenient and nutritious food to communities at prices everyone can afford
- Brothers – Grocery store in Kendall Square featuring high-end grab and go food as well as grocery essentials
- H Mart – Asian grocery store chain supplying imported packaged foods & housewares plus ready-to-serve meals
- Trader Joe’s – Retail grocery chain offering lots of frozen and boxed foods as well as some produce
- Market Basket – Large grocery store near MIT with a variety of foods from across the world at low costs
See the Full list of local businesses accepting TechCASH
Free MIT shuttles to off campus grocers:
- Shuttle to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, and Daily Table
- Sundays and Wednesdays from 11:30am to 4:30pm during the academic year
- Live schedule updates
- Shuttle route map and schedule (PDF)
- Shuttle to Costco and Target in Everett, MA
- Specific Sundays from 11:00am to 3:00pm during the academic year
- View real-time schedule
- Shuttle route map and schedule (PDF)
- Undergraduate Emergency Support Fund – for Undergraduate students who need help covering unforeseen, essential expenses such as food, winter clothing, or an emergency trip home, please complete this request form.
- Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund – Graduate students with families who need additional support should contact Adj Marshall in the Office of Graduate Education by emailing writeadj@mit.edu
Student Financial Services (SFS) – provides financial aid and customer service to all MIT students. They collect payments, coordinate student employment, and advise on financial literacy.
- Email: sfs@mit.edu
- Call: 617.258.8600
MIT has many financial resources to make life more affordable and help students navigate financial ups and downs:
- Financial Support for Undergraduate Students in Need – Includes information to help make life as a student more affordable, assist in covering unforeseen essential expenses, and accessing enough food to sustain an active, healthy lifestyle.
- Financial Support for Graduate Students in Need – Includes information on Guaranteed Transitional Support, MIT Grants for Graduate students with children, Doctoral Long-term financial hardship funding, and more.
Accessing Resources MIT (ARM) Coalition – Connecting undergraduate and graduate students to campus resources to help alleviate financial hardship. For questions or more information please contact arm-coalition@mit.edu.
- Jobs at MIT – All students, regardless of their financial need, may work during the academic year—and most of our students do. There are opportunities on campus in labs, department offices, and centers as well as in the community.
- How to Budget – Student Financial Services created a guide on how to budget your finances including this helpful Budgeting Worksheet.
- How to File Taxes – Many students need to file tax returns independently from their family, so SFS created an easy guide for students to get started.
- How to Choose a Bank – Whether you are an undergrad or graduate student, it’s important to research and select a bank that is a good fit for your financial needs.
For other tips to prioritize your wellbeing visit doingwell.mit.edu.