In Research Universities, Ph.D. students are given stipends of $12,000 to $15,000 a year and tuition waivers. The only expectation is that the student attends classes, passes courses, and produces independent research. Most of that research is course related. Ph.D. students often teach undergraduate courses and are paid for that separately.
The question is the taxability of that income. There is no question that the teaching income is taxable with FICA and Medicare withheld. Is the stipend also taxable?
Having had 5 operations in the last two years, I have applied for SS Disability. I expect to get it because I cannot drive a car because of potential back spasms and because of pain killers I have to take daily AND I cannot stand for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. My first thought is to go back to the University of the Promised Land at Chapel Hill and finish my Ph.D.
How would that stipend affect SSDI?
How would $4,000 for teaching a course affect SSDI?
Also I have a whole $9,000 retirement from the University which I was told has no effect on SSDI. Is that correct?
Do not worry I will take the newsgroup with me!
Dick - My Blood runs Carolina Blue