IGWC Launches Emergency Late Fee Fund after Graduate Workers aren't paid in August
URL: igwc-launches-emergency-late-fee-fund-after-graduate-workers-arent-paid-in-august
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
Request aid at igwc.work/aid, or Donate to Support Graduate Workers
This week, many graduate workers were surprised to learn we would not be receiving a stipend in the month of August. August is always a difficult month financially for graduate workers on 10-month contracts, but typically the IU pay schedule means that graduate workers are paid before September rent and bills are due. This year, however, the first pay-day for 10-month contracts was September 4. Those several days may seem inconsequential to admin making payroll decisions, but to grad workers making far below the living wage, that delay means late fees and added financial burden.
We’ve heard stories from graduate workers about the way those several days compounded late fees, caused bank overdrafts, forced graduate workers to take out loans from family or friends to make ends meet, and caused grad workers to scramble to cover basic necessities like food and medications. What is clear is that when IU pays so far below the living wage, even minor disruptions have devastating impacts. A living wage isn’t “nice to have”; it’s a necessity.
IGWC has launched a fund to cover as much of these late fees on rent and bills as possible, funded through a combination of donations (donate directly at indianagradworkers.org/aid) and voluntary dues. It’s a matter of solidarity.
If you’re a graduate worker impacted by this delay, fill out this form to request aid and share your story: https://igwc.work/aid.
If you can, donate to help support graduate workers impacted by this: indianagradworkers.org/aid
Donate to Support Graduate Workers
This fund is a stopgap for late fees, especially on rent, but it can’t cover the rising cost of living, it can’t cover rent or food, and it can’t cover research funding. IU owes us a living wage for the work we do, day-in and day-out for this university. IU chronically underpays its staff, faculty, and especially graduate workers. If we want better wages and collective bargaining to avoid issues like this, our only option is to organize our fellow graduate workers in our departments. This year, we’ve already reached union majorities across more than a dozen departments, but every single SAA deserves collective bargaining. That strength in numbers gives us leverage when we stand in solidarity with each other.
Labor Day Mutual Aid Potluck
Canterbury House (719 E 7th St), September 7, 6–8pm
Bring a dish to share with other graduate workers this labor day! In the face of a delayed pay schedule, graduate workers are coming together to feed each other. Volunteer to bring a dish to share at igwc.work/potluck!
Emergency Late Fee Fund FAQs
What is mutual aid?
Mutual aid is financial or other forms of assistance that comes from the community, in this case the community of graduate workers and faculty at IU.
What does this fund cover?
Late fees, especially on rent. IGWC alone can’t cover rent directly—that’s why we’re fighting for a living wage and collective bargaining with IU. This fund is intended to help offset the late fees after we’re paid on September 4. We’ll send the funding after Labor Day and we can process the requests.
Where will the money come from?
The money will come from the dues many of our members already pay, along with extra funds provided through a fundraising drive targeted at faculty and grad workers.
Donate to Support Graduate Workers
When will graduate workers get the money?
As soon as we have a sense of the scale of need, we will start sending people money. It likely won’t be soon enough to have it in people’s hands before they owe the late fees, but it should ease some of the financial stress.
Why is IGWC doing this?
IGWC is here to fight for the wellbeing of graduate workers at IU. This delayed paycheck has put an unnecessary financial strain on graduate workers at a time when things are already tight and hectic. We’re here to have each other’s backs, so we’re stepping in to help where the university administration let us down.