James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
Estimated Budget 2026-2027
Stipend Income For Dietetic Interns
The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) allocates a stipend for James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) dietetic interns. The 2026-2027 stipend is estimated to be $23,000 during the 47-week supervised practice portion of the DI. The hourly rate is $15 per hour, subject to tax withholdings and is paid bi-weekly to a direct checking account. The stipend received is generally used to cover some of the cost-of-living expenses. Please note: 1) The exact stipend disbursement may vary slightly depending on total hours worked. 2)To receive a stipend you must be a US Citizen.
Expenses
Application Fees:
- Fee to use DICAS, $50 for first designation and $25 for each additional designation.
- No additional application fee or tuition to the JJPVA DI program for supervised practice training.
- NYU Graduate School Application Fee is waived when selecting application to JJPVA DI Program.
NYU Tuition: Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition
MS/DI Interns are responsible for their tuition at NYU. The Master of Science is a total of 34-credits.
2026-2027 Academic Year
$2,363 per credit. A total estimated cost of approximately $80,000 to complete Master of Science for class starting 2026-2027. 2027-2028 rates not yet available. Additional registration fees apply and are highlighted on the Graduate Study Tuition and Fees | NYU Steinhardt
NYU Financial Aid
Tuition assistance from NYU may be available. Students may apply for loans; full-time equivalency status is maintained for the supervised practice DI and during the last semester of full time workload. Students are eligible to apply for scholarships once full-time (last Fall semester). For more information and resources: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/admissions/paying-your-education/masters-and-advanced-study/scholarships-and-grants
The Office of Financial Aid is located at 383 Lafayette Street (E 4th St).
Note: The JJPVA Dietetic Internship is classified as a certificate program, therefore, it does not offer direct financial aid, and interns are ineligible for federal student financial aid programs administered by the Department of Education. Dietetic Interns enrolled in the MS/DI program may apply for loan deferral and financial aid through New York University. Interns completing the stand-alone DI may be able to obtain loan deferment of their student loans, however, it is the intern's responsibility to pursue this option independently with their lender, as each lender will require their own specific documentation to request a deferral. The JJPVA DI Director is available to with the completion of any required documentation upon the intern's request.
Housing Options for James J. Peters VA Dietetic Internship
On-site VA Housing Quarters at JJPVA
On-site, co-ed housing is available on the grounds of JJPVAMC on a first-come, first-serve basis during the supervised practice portion of the DI. Housing will be available prior to the start of the program and will conclude upon the completion of the supervised practice program, approximately August to August. The cost is approximately $700-800 per month and may be subject to annual increases per market value. The unit is a stair walk-up unit, with in unit washer, dryer, dish washer, and all utilities included (gas, electric, water, heat, internet). This option is well below market rent for NYC and should be considered a program benefit.
NYU Dormitories
Dietetic interns completing the MS at NYU can be considered for NYU graduate housing. For more information visit: NYU Graduate Housing and for rates visit: NYU Housing Rates.
Off-Site Housing
Rent varies greatly across New York City. Your off-site housing costs will depend on where you choose to live and if you plan to reside with roommates. It is estimated to spend approximately $1500-2500/mo in a shared housing. If residing individually, one should expect to pay more. Utilities (gas, electric, water, heat) and home internet vary depending on the specifications of your lease and the desired coverage decided upon. Utilities are estimated to be approximately $150-250 a month.
Transportation
- Free parking is available at JJPVAMC on a first come, first serve basis daily.
- NYC public bus or subway transportation. Dietetic interns not living in on-site housing who rely on public transportation during the DI may qualify for a separate transit benefit stipend to use towards a MetroCard during the DI. Dietetic interns will be required to complete their own transit benefit application once they begin the program. There is a wait period of approximately a month before the benefit is processed and received by the dietetic intern.
- Dietetic interns will be responsible for any cost of commuting to/from NYU or to/from and among any off-site rotations.
- Home Internet Service: Home internet service is a highly recommended convenience for interns who may work on projects and assignments during their off duty hours. Home internet service with adequate bandwidth to support video technologies and various VA applications is required should the intern be permitted to participate in any rotations remotely during the internship. If interns are unable to have adequate internet service, they will be able to report on-site to their usual workstations for rotations with a remote component including distance education or telework days as the VA has internet and wifi available. Interns in the MS/DI program will also have internet on-campus at NYU. The estimated cost of internet services varies greatly from ~$30-100 per month depending on desired coverage.
- Computer: Interns will be provided a JJPVA issued laptop with camera and microphone capabilities for use during the supervised practice year. This laptop may be used to access the VA network, and may be used at home, at NYU or on campus at JJPVA. Interns have their own workstation at JJPVA with their VA issued laptop computer, printer and access to fax and scanner. Interns may wish to have their own personal computer devices for their NYU coursework or any projects/assignments they may be working on.
Other Estimated Expenses
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership: $58
- Books & Supplies: approximately $150-$250 per semester NYU
- Uniforms: $250, depending on scrubs brand chosen
- Student Liability Insurance: $35-50
- Optional VA Health insurance available: Basic $1,150-Comprehensive $1,500 *rates vary depending on plan. NYU health plans exist and can be found at: Student Health Insurance (nyu.edu)
- DI reference/supplies: Variable, but approximately $250.
- Travel: Commuting to off-site rotations or NYU and via public transit may be required. This may include expense of $3.50 per NYC subway or bus ride (or prevailing transportation authority rate) Please note: NYC Subway and bus fares vary from MetroNorth or Long Island Railroad rates. These costs may vary depending on where the dietetic intern resides and the associated transportation authority. Please visit MTA for more up to date rates. For those commuting via car. Dietetic interns are responsible for the cost of parking at their own residence and for commuting via car to and from the JJPVA MC to home or NYU.
- Initial and final electronic transcripts: $5-25 each depending on University cost.
- Background check and fingerprinting: This service is at no cost to intern including VA and NYS fingerprinting for BronxWorks rotation. * Intern may require travel at a cost to the intern to a VA to receive these services.
- Health Screening/Physical: Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) Health Screen Form completion from private physician prior to onboarding will be a variable cost depending on personal health coverage. The OAA health screen will be followed by a Final health screen through VA which will be at no cost to intern including vaccinations as needed if physicals reflect the need for additional titers for previous vaccines received.* Intern may require travel at a cost to the intern to a VA to receive these services. When feasible, attempts are made to coordinate for one visit day to VA for both fingerprinting and health screen.
- Drug test: Is not required by VA but should an affiliate site require it, it will be the responsibility of the intern.
Page Updated: May 2026
