Graduate Expenses

Fees and Expenses

Tuition, fees, and other charges are subject to change without notice by the Regents of the University of California. For current fee information, check registration fees and graduate student budgets. Some or all instruction for all or part of the Academic Year may be delivered remotely.  Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year.  Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final.  Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate.  Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

For information on fee refunds, see Finances.

Students should not plan to undertake graduate study without assured funding, since outside employment in the Santa Cruz community can be difficult to obtain. 

Financial aid recipients should note that fellowship, grant, and loan checks or bank deposits in excess of university charges are refunded to students via direct deposit or check, but are not available to you until the first week of instruction each quarter.

The Student Services Fee supports student services that provide a supportive and enriching learning environment and that are complementary to, but not part of, the instructional program. Programs include, but are not limited to, services related to the physical and psychological health and well-being of students, social and cultural activities and programs, services related to campus life, and educational and career support.

Tuition helps support student financial aid and related programs; administration; libraries; operation and maintenance; the university’s operating budget; and all costs related to instruction, including faculty salaries.

Campus-Based Fees help support a wide range of student services, including extracurricular programs, campus child care, community and public service projects, and free-fare use of the local transit systems.

In addition, all students are assessed a mandatory Health Insurance Premium. The Cowell Student Health Center provides primary care services for the plan, while a contracted insurance company provides major medical and hospitalization insurance. Dependent coverage is also available. Detailed information is on the UCSC Student Health Insurance website, or contact (831) 459-2389.

Waivers from the mandatory insurance fee are available for students who can show that their outside plan provides coverage equal to or better than the student health insurance plan. Deadlines for applying for a waiver can be found on the Health Center website.

Nonresident Tuition

A resident of a state other than California or of another country must also pay nonresident tuition. See general criteria for residency elsewhere in this catalog.

Non-U.S. citizens note: Regardless of how long you live in California, only U.S. citizens and holders of immigrant visas may become qualified for resident classification.

Deferred Payment Plan

See the information under undergraduate expenses.

Graduate Student Budget

 
Graduate Academic Student Fees Annual Fall 2023 Winter 2024 Spring 2024
 
Student Services Fee (formerly University Registration Fee) 1,206.00 402.00 402.00 402.00
 
Tuition (formerly Educational Fee) 12,264.00 4,088.00 4,088.00 4,088.00
 
UCGPC Fee 7.00 3.00 2.00 2.00
 
Campus Programs Fee 6.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
 
College Student Govt. Fee 43.50 14.50 14.50 14.50
 
Student Programs Fee 153.00 51.00 51.00 51.00
 
Grad Student Facilities Fee 96.00 32.00 32.00 32.00
 
Student Life Facilities Fee 90.00 30.00 30.00 30.00
 
Seismic/Safety Fee 120.00 40.00 40.00 40.00
 
Free/Anonymous HIV Testing Fee 2.25 0.75 0.75 0.75
 
Transportation Fee 513.00 171.00 171.00 171.00
 
OPERS Fitness Facilities Fee 45.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
 
Campus Childcare Fee 24.00 8.00 8.00 8.00
 
Intramural & Sports Club Team Activities Fee 6.75 2.25 2.25 2.25
 
Recreation Programs Fee 12.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
 
Renewable Energy Fee 9.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
 
Intercoll. Athletics Sports Team Fee 15.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
 
Physical Education Program Fee 37.50 12.50 12.50 12.50
 
Student Health Center Expansion Fee 81.00 27.00 27.00 27.00
 
Student Health Center Green Building Fee 15.60 5.20 5.20 5.20
 
Intercoll. Athletics and Athletics Activities Access Fee 115.50 38.50 38.50 38.50
 
UC SHIP Health Insurance (waivable) 5,214.00 1,738.00 1,738.00 1,738.00
 
Total California Resident 20,076.10 6,692.70 6,691.70 6,691.70
 
 
Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (formerly Nonresident Tuition) 15,102.00 5,034.00 5,034.00 5,034.00
 
Total Non-Resident 35,178.10 11,726.70 11,725.70 11,725.70
 
 
Total Campus Fees* 1,385.10 461.70 461.70 461.70
 
*Campus fees (a.k.a. campus-based or referenda fees) are charged to undergraduate and graduate students, including those in professional masters degrees programs.
 
 

Financial Support

The University of California, Santa Cruz, makes a strong effort to provide financial support to all graduate students who make normal progress in their program of studies. Certain kinds of support are awarded on the basis of academic merit, and others are granted on the basis of need. Students are encouraged to apply for both kinds of assistance by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form must be submitted after October 1 prior to the academic year for which you are requesting aid. The FAFSA may be filled out online and filed electronically at the FAFSA website. Applications for student loans for each academic year will be accepted until April of that academic year. More detailed information about the application process and loans can be found at Financial Aid. Students may also visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, 205 Hahn Student Services Building, or call (831) 459-2963.

UC Santa Cruz offers all eligible new and continuing doctoral and MFA* students five-year (*two-year for MFA) funding packages for the academic year, with a minimum level of quarterly support that is equivalent to no less than the quarterly (three-month) rate associated with the applicable current Salary Point 1 of a 50% Teaching Assistant or applicable current Salary Point 1 of a 50% GSR appointment, whichever is less.

Fellowships, Assistantships, Grants

Students who received Cal Grant A or B as undergraduates within the last 15 months may request a one-year extension from the California Student Aid Commission to attend a teacher credential program. Renewal of these awards requires the student to submit the FAFSA by March 2nd. In addition, the student must submit a Request for Teaching Program Benefits Form (Form G-44) to the California Student Aid Commission.

The federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants to students who intend to teach in a high-need field in a public/private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The program at UCSC is for M.A. Education students. In exchange for receiving this grant, you must sign an Agreement to Serve and complete online counseling. This grant converts to a loan with retroactive interest if the Service Agreement is not fulfilled. More information and a fact sheet can be found at the Federal Student Aid TEACH Grants website.

Teaching Assistantships are offered by academic departments. Departments may decide to assign assistantships to students outside of the department. Opportunities are shared among departments and students should inquire with their graduate department adviser about applying for assistantships. Salary information is posted online by the Academic Personnel Office. 

Graduate Student Researcher Internships are assigned by faculty and sponsoring campus agencies. Students should inquire with faculty about GSR opportunities. Salary scales (steps) vary by department/division. Salary information is posted online by the Academic Personnel Office.

Student Loans

Graduate students can qualify for federal student loans by completing the FAFSA. Graduate students are eligible for Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS loan programs. For additional information , see the UCSC Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

The federal government will forgive all or part of a student loan under certain circumstances. This can include performing volunteer work or military service, or practicing medicine in certain communities. For a summary of such exemptions, visit the Federal Student Aid website.