Graduate Student Resources

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Academic Student Employment Positions (go)
Travel Funding (go)
Residency Requirements (go)
Direct Deposit (go)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION

HEALTH BENEFITS

STUDENT SURVIVAL SKILLS

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

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 forms of fellowships, scholarships, and academic student employment positions.  To be eligible for financial support, graduate students must be registered full-time (12 units) and be in good academic standing.

Departmental fellowships are provided to the most oustanding applicants to the Ph.D. program though the generous support of the Jacobs School of Engineering.  These awards are very competitive and not all applicants who are offered admission are offered departmental fellowships.  Throughout the year, other fellowships and awards are available to all graduate students.  Students are encouraged to follow this link for a list of annual fellowships and awards.

Currently, there is no funding provided by the department for MS students. For more information on financial support, please see "Additional Resources" below.

 

Academic Student Employment Positions

Both Ph.D. and M.S. students are eligible for the appointments listed below, but 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 cannot work more than 50% during the academic year, or 100% 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 talk to their faculty advisor for availability.

Pay rates are posted on the Graduate Division website. MATS M.S. students are paid at the Step 1 GSR rate, and Ph.D. students are paid at the Step 3 GSR rate until they advance to candidacy, after which time they are paid at the Step 4 GSR rate 4.

 

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 MAE and MATS Departments will be notified when quarterly applications are open.  Students can also apply for positions in other departments on the UCSD Open Positions website.  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.  

Before they can be appointed as a teaching assistants, all international graduate students at UCSD are required to demonstrate a high level of oral and aural competence in the English language. International students must contact mae-mats-financialsupport@eng.ucsd.edu to schedule an English Language Certification Examination (ELCE) as soon as they are offered their first TA position. The ELCE must be taken during finals week or the week after to be eligible to work as a TA the following quarter. Students can follow this link for more information on the ELCE.

All new Associates In, Teaching Assistants, Readers, and Tutors must attend the New Academic Student Employee (ASE) Orientation. Department staff will distribute orientation information as they are scheduled.

Pay rates are posted on the Graduate Division website.

Visit Graduate Division's website for additional information regarding support for student parents.

Fee Remission

Graduate Students hired as Instructional Assistants at 25% or above are eligible for Fee Remission which covers the majority of Resident Tuition and Fees.  The TA Fee Deferment Program allows graduate students appointed at a minimum of 25% for the entire quarter to pay the balance of their registration fees (excluding nonresident supplemental tuition) through payroll deduction.

 

Travel Funding

The MATS Department provides travel grants of up to $1,000 per fiscal year (July - June) to Ph.D. students presenting their work at conferences. Applicants must be in good academic standing and must be registered for the quarter during which the conference takes place. Students applying for grants during the summer must have been registered during the preceding spring quarter.

To apply for travel funding, Ph.D. students must submit an MATS Ph.D. Student Travel Grant Form prior to booking travel arrangements. If approved, the student will receive a confirmation email from the MATS Student Affairs Office with the award amount. Payment of funds will be processed as a reimbursement.

The GSA also has funds available for graduate and professional students; follow this link for more information.

 

Residency Requirements

Non-residents of the state of California must establish residency immediately upon entering the State. If students do not establish residency by the end of their first year of study, out of state tuition WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. This means that even if a student holds a TA or Graduate Student Researcher position, the out of state tuition will not be covered under these jobs.

Establishing residency can be a lengthy and frustrating experience. Students are encouraged to start with this residency information and read it thoroughly from beginning to end. Departments can't answer questions about residency because it involves laws of the State of California. All questions must be sent to the Residence Deputy.

International 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, it is highly recommended that students enroll in direct deposit.  There are three forms of direct deposit for graduate students:

  1. Student Business Services: Stipend payments for domestic students 
  2. Payroll: TA, Reader and GSR employment checks.  Students will be unable to enroll in this form of direct deposit until they have completed hiring paperwork and an employee number has been generated.  Students may opt to enroll in the Aline ADP Pay Card.
  3. Disbursements: Travel and other personal reimbursements

 

Additional Resources

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INFORMATION

The International Student & Programs Office (ISPO) is a multi-purpose facility created to foster cross-cultural exchange and international education for the UC San Diego campus community. The International Student & Programs Office provides services and programs for UC San Diego's 4,000+ international students and scholars and for approximately 500 study abroad participants. Services include orientation, visa and immigration regulation advising, personal academic advising, and travel document issuance. Please contact ISPO for all questions and concerns regarding the student visa process.

Here are some helpful pages on the ISPO website:

HEALTH BENEFITS 
(Student Health Services)

The Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP) is a comprehensive health insurance plan. Enrollment in SHIP is mandatory for graduate, medical, and foreign students at UCSD. The health insurance premium is assessed and paid with registration fees. Spring SHIP coverage continues automatically through the summer. Waiver of SHIP enrollment requires approval of the SHS Insurance Representative after review of proof of existing comparable insurance. Waiver of SHIP also waives GSLIP.


Other Health services:

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Integrative and student-centered services designed to support students towards their academic success, personal development and well-being while at UC San Diego.
  • Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD): UC San Diego welcomes students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors who have disabilities and wish to participate in the academic endeavors, professional opportunities, and campus events available in our community. In a collaborative effort to share campus resources for and about people with disabilities, this site provides resources to encourage all campus partners and constituents to engage in UCSD programs and activities.
  • Pregancy Resources
  • Suicide Prevention:
    • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1 (800) 273-8255
    • Speaking of Suicide: A site for suicidal individuals and their loved ones, survivors, mental health professionals and the merely curious.
  • UC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UC SHIP is a student-focused benefits package for UCSD graduate and undergraduate students, including strong medical, behavioral health, pharmacy, dental, and vision care benefits. UC SHIP is compliant with the Affordable Care Act requirements and works to complement your care at the Student Health Services right on campus. Enrollment is automatic for registered students; waiver application is also available.

Campus Services

  • Student Legal Services: Student Legal Services can give legal education, counsel, and referrals to UCSD Students. Access the link for additional information and appointment scheduling.
  • Basic Needs Center: The Hub Basic Needs Center provides resources for connections to nutritious food, Calfresh, stable housing, and financial wellness resources.
  • Basic Needs Assistance Form: If you are a UC San Diego student who is facing challenges with your access to adequate food, stable housing, or financial resources, you're encouraged to complete this form
  • Calfresh: CalFresh food benefits are funds that can be given to help supplement their food budget and buy food. Follow the link for additional eligibility and application information. 
  • Triton Food Pantry: The mission of the Triton Food Pantry is to provide a discreet service to UCSD students in need of food. All current UCSD undergraduate and graduate students can access this service. 
  • Financial Aid and Financial Literacy Resources: Information on Financial Aid resources, as well as comprehensive information on budgeting and financial literacy. 
  • Jobs on Campus: Information to help you connect you to job resources. Find job postings, career fairs, and job readiness information by accessing the links.
  • Undocumented Student Services: Personal guidance, immigration legal services, community building, partnerships, and referrals for Undocumented Students.
  • Teaching + Learning Commons: Provides resources to students to be successful in their academic career.  
  • Educational Technology Services (ETS): Computer and email help.
  • Transportation & Parking Services