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Financial Support FAQ

What are the funding options for graduate students?

Financial Aid

UC San Diego graduate students may apply for need-based aid by completing a Free Application for Federal student Aid (FAFSA). Need-based aid is administered through the Financial Aid Office, not the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA):

Fellowships and Awards

Fellowships are generally merit-based awards that provide a stipend and tuition assistance to graduate students. Additional financial support and eligibility requirements may vary by award.

Academic Employment Opportunities

Financial support may be awarded through academic appointment of assistantships. These awards, generally administered by discipline and department, may grant a stipend and tuition payment for providing assistance in teaching and/or research support.

How does a student sign up for direct deposit?

Types of Direct Deposit for Students:

There are three units that provide direct deposit to graduate students, depending upon the type of transaction:
  • Student Financial Solutions (stipend payments for domestic students and account refunds)
  • Payroll (ASE, GSR, and any other student employment paychecks)
  • Disbursements (travel and other personal reimbursement, plus stipend payments for some international students)

Stipend Payments for International Students:

International students who are expecting a stipend payment should sign-up for direct deposit with both Student Financial Solutions and Disbursements and also should note they will be prompted to complete a Glacier record in order to determine appropriate taxation.

Please ensure that your student has completed the correct direct deposit request in order to expedite the receipt of funds.

May a part-time graduate student receive financial support?

Academic Employment - Graduate students must be registered in a minimum of 12 units of upper-division and graduate-level work each quarter to be employed at greater than 25% time during the academic year. Students registered in fewer than 12 units are eligible for 25% time appointments upon department approval. 

Fellowships and Traineeships - Awardees must register in a minimum of 12 units of upper-division and graduate-level work each quarter. See: https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial/fellowships/index.html

All graduate students who receive financial support must be in good academic standing as defined under the Standards of Scholarship in the General Catalog. 

A request to the Dean of the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) for an exception to policy must be endorsed by the student’s advisor and department/program chair. Any payment that is an exception to policy must be pre-approved.

For questions regarding need-based aid eligibility, please contact Financial Aid: http://students.ucsd.edu/finances/financial-aid/index.html

Can a student who defended in Spring be paid during the summer?

A US Citizen or Permanent Resident who receives a terminal degree, and is eligible for support, can be supported through the quarter-break after graduation provided the student continues to be actively engaged in graduate student research.  The summer is considered to be the quarter-break after spring quarter.

An international student (F-1 or J-1 visa) can only be supported through the quarter date of graduation. Contact the International Center for additional information.

Can a student who was on a leave of absence during Spring be paid during the summer?

A student on leave during spring may be supported as a graduate student during summer provided the student is eligible for support, actively engaged in graduate student research and enrolled for the following fall quarter.

Where can a student find their support time limit (SUTL)?

Students can access this information on the Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) Student Portal.  Single-Sign on is required.  

https://student-db.grad.ucsd.edu

What students are covered by the Graduate Funding Reform?

PhD and MFA students (not including JDPs), with a first-enrolled term of FA20 are covered by the Graduate Funding Reform.

Students covered by the Graduate Funding Reform who are appointed as an academic graduate student title (i.e. GSR, IA, or combination of GSR and IA appointments) at 25% for the entire quarter are eligible to have their Resident Tuition and Fees and Mandatory Health Insurance covered.  Nonresident supplemental tuition will be automatically covered for international students; NRST will be automatically covered for domestic students in their first year of enrollment.

Students not covered by the Graduate Funding Reform 

  • who are appointed as in the academic graduate student title GSR, or a combination of GSR appointments at 25% for the entire quarter are eligible to have their Resident Tuition and Fees and Mandatory Health Insurance covered.  Nonresident supplemental tuition will be automatically covered for international students; NRST will be automatically covered for domestic students in their first year of enrollment.
  • with an academic graduate student title IA appointment, or multiple IA appointments, that total 25% or more are eligible for the ASE Partial Fee Remission.  The ASE Partial Fee Remission automatically includes tuition, student services fee, $100 towards campus fees, and mandatory health insurance.

Fee coverage for Students not covered by the Graduate Funding Reform with both GSR and IA appointments differs based on the percentage of effort of the two appointments.  Students are encouraged to connect with their hiring departments for full details.

Need Help?

Contact the Financial Support Unit via the Student Support Portal in ServiceNow.

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