Financial Support FAQ

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):

• UC San Diego Financial Aid Office
• Financial Aid Timeline for Graduate/ Professional School Students
• Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements for Graduate Students

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.

• Fellowships and Opportunities for Entering Graduate Students
• Fellowships and Traineeships

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.

• Job Opportunities for Graduate Students
• Academic Student Employees

Types of Direct Deposit for Students:

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

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.

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

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.