Life as an MIT graduate student is busy enough without having to spend time searching for relocation assistance, financial advice, child care, and other essential services. That’s why MIT offers a free and confidential service exclusively for graduate students and their household members: the MIT Graduate Assistance and Information Network (GAIN).
The MIT Graduate Assistance and Information Network (GAIN) is a 24/7 network of professionals who provide life management resources and referrals to help make life easier. Looking for assistance with legal or financial matters? Moving to the Cambridge area but unsure where to begin? Need to find child care or a school for your son or daughter?
Get Started
- Call: 844-MIT-GAIN (844-648-4246)
- Visit: MIT GAIN
MIT GAIN Services
- Legal consultation
- Financial consultation
- Child care consultations, resources and/or personalized research and referrals
- School/summer camp selection for children in grades K–12
- Relocation guidance
- Elder care consultations, resources and/or personalized research and referrals
- Nutrition counseling
- Career support
- Resources for other life concerns, such as moving services, home repair and cleaning services, pet care, fitness programs and trainers, and more.
FAQs
What are some reasons I would reach out to MIT GAIN?
MIT provides GAIN for all graduate students and their household members to support wellbeing and life balance. The program offers confidential consultations and personalized research and referrals for many life concerns. You can reach out to GAIN for:
- Legal Assistance: Free, 30-minute legal consultation with an attorney; referrals are provided, if needed.
- Financial Consultation: Help with debt management, budgeting, and financial planning.
- Child Care Resources: Research and referrals for finding child care.
- Parenting Resources: Research and referrals for parents-to-be and parents with children of any age; coaching on early childhood development and special education concerns.
- School/Summer Camp Resources: Research and referrals for children in grades K–12
- Daily Living Resources: Targeted research and referrals for pet sitting, relocation services, home repair services, and more.
- Nutrition Consultation: Support from a nutritionist on weight management, healthy eating, child-friendly meals, and other dietary concerns.
- Career Support: Resume review, career exploration services, and job search strategies.
- Elder Care Resources: Consultations with eldercare specialists and/or resources and referrals.
What happens when I call MIT GAIN?
Welcome. Your call will be answered 24/7/365 by a GAIN representative who will great you and ask how they can help.
Questions. The GAIN representative will explain the GAIN program and how your privacy is protected, then ask you some questions about your situation to understand your needs and identify the type of support that will be most helpful to you.
Support. A GAIN representative will work with you until you have the support you need. This may include research related to issues or resources, or referrals to local service providers and other experts.
Follow-up. A GAIN representative will follow up with you to ensure that your needs have been met and ask whether there is anything else they can do for you.
Can I use MIT GAIN for more than one concern?
We encourage you to use GAIN whenever the need arises. You can call for multiple concerns—at the same time or at different times—whether you need help with a legal issue or nutrition concern. When you need summer camp research assistance or help with a budget or your career, GAIN is available 24/7.
Will MIT GAIN help me find child care near my home or campus?
GAIN will help you find appropriate child care based on your criteria. They will ask you questions about your preferences, such as location, type of care (e.g., in-home care, child care centers, family child care), price range, etc. They can also search for after-school care and summer camps. Based on your criteria, you will receive a personalized referral list of licensed and vetted child care providers, along with information about availability, hours, cost, transportation, and other areas you indicated. MIT GAIN offers this research and referral service at no cost, but you are responsible for child care fees. They can also help you find subsidies for child care if you are eligible.
Is the information I provide kept confidential?
All contact with GAIN is confidential. The MIT GAIN program is administered by an outside organization. GAIN representatives never tell anyone at MIT who called or the specifics of any situation. The only exceptions are those required to be reported per state and/or federal law.
Is MIT GAIN available outside of Massachusetts?
Can I refer a friend or neighbor to GAIN?
What if I have further questions about MIT GAIN?
Just call GAIN at 844-MIT-GAIN (844-648-4246) and a GAIN representative will address your questions or concerns.
Additional Information and Documents
MIT GAIN Flyer (PDF)
Download an MIT GAIN flyer.