Resources for Grad Families
MIT is committed to supporting our graduate students with families; the following is a list of available resources including various offices, services, groups, and networks. If you are a newly admitted graduate student, you are encouraged to look at resources for housing, childcare, and family health plans as early as possible.
Childcare Resources
GAIN – Graduate Assistance and Information Network
Free and confidential service. Call: 844-MIT-GAIN (844-648-4246)
If you have questions about help with finding childcare and/or schools, see the MIT GAIN website for more info.
Back-up Childcare
Subsidized Back-up childcare through MIT available to undergraduate and graduate students through the MIT Work-Life Center.
Upcoming events
| Fall 2025 events | Date | Time | Location | Registration link | Sponsor |
International Student Panel | Wed Aug 27 | 3pm-4:30pm | 34-101, 50 Vassar Street | Link | ISO |
| Grad Welcome Reception | Thurs Aug 28 | 5pm-7pm | La Sala, Student Center | Link | ISO |
| Grad Student Resource Fair | Tues Sept 1 | 1pm-3pm | Johnson Ice Rink | N/A | OGE |
| Grad Families Welcome | Sat Sept 6 | 10am to 12pm | Walker Lawn | Link | OGE |
| Welcome for Families/Couples | Wed Sept 10 | 11am | Westgate Playground | naomic@mit.edu | Housing |
| Women’s League Open House | Wed Oct 1 | 12pm-1pm | Bush Room (10-105) | Link | MIT Women’s League |
Other activities/resources open to partners & spouses
MIT Women’s League – programs and events for friendship and connection, all are welcome. Subscribe to the mailing list.
English Partner Program through the MIT Women’s League –where we partner those looking for conversational English practice with a native speaker and they meet at their leisure. Sign up here.
Cambridge Public Library – free classes in English conversation, job hunting/resume writing and computer basics.
MITAC: The MIT Activities Committee offers discounted tickets to the MIT community for local arts and culture, sporting events, and family activities. Purchases can be made online or at our on-campus ticket office at the Stata Center.
MIT Open Space Programs – Campus Events & Activities: A green, outdoor community space, free and open to all, MIT Open Space offers inclusive and eclectic programs, created in collaboration with our friends and neighbors in the Cambridge, Kendall Square, and MIT communities. The space features an outdoor movie area, a small stage, lots of benches, shade in the summertime, and moveable tables and chairs.
Inviting Family Members to Visit the U.S.
While dependents (spouses, and dependent children) are eligible for dependent status of student visa holders (F-2 or J-2), other family members wanting to visit the U.S. will likely need to enter the U.S. in tourist visa status. Citizens of certain countries may be eligible to enter the U.S. under the Tourist Visa Waiver Program. Individuals not eligible for the Tourist Visa Waiver Program will need to obtain a tourist entry visa (B-2 status) from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad in order to travel to the U.S.
Please see the attached guidance sheet from the ISO on “Inviting Relatives and Friends: B-2 Tourist Visa”.
NOTE: International Students wanting to inviting family to attend Commencement/Graduation ceremonies should follow the guidance above. If the student is/has been in F-1 or J-1 status during their studies at MIT, they may request a support letter from the ISO via iMIT to confirm their MIT-sponsored student visa status (completing the eform under the “F-1 Student Services” / “J-1 Student Services” menu, then select “Letter of Family Invitation.” A “Letter of Family Invitation” request would need to be completed for each family member for whom you would like a supporting letter.
MIT and the ISO cannot issue a support letter if the student is not in F-1 or J-1 status sponsored by MIT. However, a letter written by the student and provided to their family members is sufficient for a tourist visa application. Please refer to the ISO guidance sheet “Inviting Relatives and Friends: B-2 Tourist Visa” for the details to include in a support letter.
If any questions arise, please contact your ISO Advisor.
