International Fund

International Fund

Status: Active, Spring 2026 cycle open

Geographic Scope: Yale University, Connecticut, US (for graduate workers with visa and immigration needs)

Focus Areas: Reimbursement for visa and immigration legal expenses

Fund Details

• Total Fund Amount: $40,000 per fiscal year
• Maximum Reimbursement: $2,000 per Graduate Worker per application cycle
• Lifetime Maximum: $4,000 per Graduate Worker
• Unexpended Funds: Roll over into the next application cycle
• Note: From Fall 2025 onwards, only one application cycle per year

Covered Expenses

• Out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to visa and immigration proceedings and related matters
• SEVIS fees
• Visa renewal fees
• Expenses for graduate worker, their children, and/or their spouse or domestic partner
• Legal expenses must be payable to an attorney admitted to practice law in Connecticut or in another U.S. state or territory
• SEVIS and visa renewal fees must be paid to United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or another government agency in the United States authorized to collect such fees

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must:
• Be employed in the Local 33 bargaining unit at any point between April 16, 2025 and April 15, 2026
• Be enrolled in or on leave from a Yale graduate or professional program at the time the fund application is submitted
• Graduate Worker or Graduate Worker's family member for whom expenses are incurred must not be a citizen of the United States

Award Determination Process

• Total fund amount divided by total number of eligible applicants to determine initial reimbursement allowance
• Each eligible applicant allocated initial reimbursement for documented and covered expenses up to allowable maximum
• If funds remain after initial allocation, applicants who received full reimbursement are removed and process repeats with remaining applicants
• Process continues until all Graduate Workers receive full reimbursement, reach maximum amount, or funds are depleted
• All awards are considered taxable income

Application Period

• Window: March 16–April 16, 2026
• Deadline: Monday, April 16, 2026 at 5:00pm EDT
• Eligible Expenses: Incurred between April 18, 2025 and April 16, 2026

Contact Information

Email: 33@yaleunions.org