Graduate Student Financial Support
Overview
All graduate students at UC San Diego are responsible for tuition and fees each quarter in order to utilize University resources. Students can receive financial support to help cover these costs in the form of fellowships, scholarships, and academic student employment positions. To be eligible for financial support, graduate students must be registered full-time (12 units of graduate level courses) and be in good academic standing.
UCGPC Fee
The “UCGPC Fee” is a UC-wide optional fee that graduate and professional students at every UC campus can choose to pay for the purpose of funding the University of California Graduate and Professional Council, the student-led and state-recognized organization that represents all 60,000+ UC graduate and professional students at the University, state, and federal levels.
The fee is effective beginning Fall 2023, and is $7.00 annually ($3.00 in Fall, $2.00 in Winter, and $2.00 in Spring). This fee is not mandatory, and students can opt out of paying it on their billing statements. (The fee is not covered by the Department or employment tuition fee remission.)
Fellowships/Scholarships
Awardees must register in a minimum of 12 units of graduate level or upper-division coursework each quarter to receive fellowships and scholarships. Throughout the year, fellowships and awards are available to all graduate students. More information on fellowships can be found here.
Academic Student Employment (ASE)
Both Ph.D. and M.S. students are eligible for Academic Student Employment (ASE) positions (TA, Reader, Tutor). Priority is given to Ph.D. students. Appointments are quantified by a percentage based on a 40–hour work week (i.e., 100% = 40 hours per week; 50% = 20 hours per week; 25% = 10 hours per week). Graduate students must be registered in a minimum of 12 units of graduate level or upper-division coursework each quarter to be employed at 25% or greater during the academic year. Students cannot work more than 50% during the academic year or during the summer.
Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)
Paid research positions are available via grants awarded to faculty members. Students employed as GSRs at 25% or above qualify for GSR Tuition and Fee Remission which covers all tuition, fees, and nonresident student tuition (if applicable). Students should connect with their faculty advisors for availability and information.
Pay rates are posted on the Division of Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) website. Ph.D. students are paid based on the department salary points.
Teaching Assistant (TA) / Reader
Teaching Assistants and Readers are hired on a quarterly basis to support teaching instruction. Appointment percentages are assigned based on course enrollment. Students in the NANO and CENG Departments will be notified when quarterly applications are open. Students can also apply for positions in other departments by signing into the Instructional Assistant Employment webpage. Offers are typically extended one month prior to the start of the quarter. Students employed as TAs or Readers, 25% and above, are eligible for TA Fee Remission which covers the majority of resident tuition and fees. The Teaching + Learning Commons offers training opportunities for TAs and future faculty members.
English Language Proficiency
All international students at UC San Diego are required to demonstrate their English language proficiency to serve as a TA through one of the following: International Graduate Student Employment: Teaching Assistants (TA)
- Qualifying Speaking Score on ToEFL, IELTS or PTE Standardized Language Exams
- Exemption Based on Prior Degree from Institution Where nglish is the Only Medium of Instruction
- Students may verify whether their institution meets this requirement by looking up the institution in the IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED)
- Passing Score on the English Language Certification Exam (ELCE)
- Students who have not demonstrated the requisite English proficiency through a Standardized English Language Exam or by an Exemption may meet this requirement by passing the English Language Certification Exam (ELCE).
All new Teaching Assistants, Readers, and Tutors must attend the New Academic Student Employee (ASE) Orientation. The Division of Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs will announce orientation information as they are scheduled.
Travel Funding
The department does not provide travel funding. Graduate students should discuss support for travel expenses with their faculty advisor/PI, or refer to the additional resources listed below. Students should contact department financial support staff (Fund Manager) for travel reimbursement policies, prior to booking any travel.
Additional Resources:
International Institute Graduate Research and Travel Awards
Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Travel Grants
All student travel reimbursements require a Student Certification for Business-Related Travel
Residency
It is UCSD policy that U.S. citizens on support will not have out-of-state tuition paid by the University after their first year. Therefore, if a domestic student does not establish California residency prior to the start of their second year, they will be responsible for out-of-state tuition. Follow this link for more information on California residency.
International Ph.D. students will have nonresident student tuition waived for three years after successful completion of the Senate Examination.
Direct Deposit
In order to avoid payment delays, students should enroll in direct deposit. There are three different types of direct deposit that students should enroll in.
1) TritonLink Billing & Payment
All students should enroll in TritonLink Billing & Payment
2) UCPath (Payroll)
Students with active employment appointments should enroll in UCPath. Students will be unable to enroll in UC Path direct deposit until they have completed hiring paperwork and an employee number has been generated.
3) PaymentWorks
International non-resident students receiving fellowship stipend or all students receiving travel or expense reimbursement should enroll in PaymentWorks.