Funding Assistance for GBSE Graduate Students
All graduate applicants who are US citizens, permanent residents or immigrants should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. This form, submitted directly to the Federal Student Aid Program Office, Iowa City, Iowa, is used to determine financial need only, a component of the eligibility criteria for many fellowships, and for all forms of financial aid. The FAFSA can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or by accessing the free FAFSA Web site.
Fellowships are highly competitive and vary widely with regard to stipend and/or tuition support they offer. In addition, UC Davis offers a special graduate opportunity program for qualified minority and/or economically disadvantaged students that offers a twelve month stipend based on financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office.
Graduate Student Research positions are based on research grant funding, and are arranged with individual faculty members. Applicants interested in a GSR position should make early contact with individual faculty members in their areas of interest (see faculty web pages) to discuss possible research funding opportunities. GSR positions are primarily available to MS I and Ph.D. students. Graduate Student Research positions provide full remission of the in-state fees and the non-resident supplemental tuition (NRST).
Teaching Assistant positions are allocated by the department, include partial remission of instate fees, and for entering students are normally awarded only to domestic students. Readerships involve marking homework solutions submitted by students, and are arranged with individual instructors prior to the beginning of each quarter. Readerships are hourly positions, and include partial fee remissions for in-state fees. Readership positions should not be considered as a sole means of support.
For international and non-California students, non-resident tuition often poses the greatest financial difficulties. TAs, Readerships and regular fellowships do not necessarily include support for out-of-state tuition. Full or partial Non-Resident Tuition Fellowships (NRTF) may be offered by the department. US citizens and permanent residents are expected to become California residents after one year of study. For international students there is a waiver of the non-resident tuition for three years following advancement to candidacy for the PhD degree (after completing the qualifying exam).
Exemption from Non-Resident tuition (AB 540) is available to certain non-resident students (citizens and undocumented students) who have attended high school in California and received a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information, please visit https://undocumented.ucdavis.edu/legislation/ab540. Undocumented status, DACA and AB 540 create special categories of financial aid eligibility. For more information about what you may be eligible for, and additional guidelines regarding these categories, please visit https://undocumented.ucdavis.edu/graduate-student-guidelines.
Funding Your Degree FAQs
- Do you support all of your incoming students?
- We strive to provide financial support to our graduate students, but it is not always possible. You might obtain financial support in a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) position arranged with individual faculty members, depending on if the research is funded and if the grant/contract permits it. You might also obtain financial support as a Teaching Assistant (TA) position, depending on the availability of positions and student qualifications. Financial support is contingent on academic record, abilities in teaching and/or research and the availability of funds.
- What type of funding is available to new students?
- First-year graduate students may receive financial support from program and Internal Campus Fellowships, Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions, Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Readerships; though not everyone is funded.
Prospective students seeking funding should submit an Internal Fellowship Application as part of their online application for admission and should submit their application by the December 15 Priority Deadline to be considered for the fullest funding. In the online application, when asked if you will be applying for fellowships, please answer “yes”. Learn more about the available internal fellowships you may be eligible for on the UC Davis Graduate Studies Internal Fellowships for Prospective Students webpage.
All incoming student funding decisions are processed through the Internal Fellowship Application and Graduate Application for admission. There are no separate funding applications students must submit. - What is a program fellowship?
- Students who demonstrate scholarship and the promise of outstanding academic and professional achievement may be awarded program fellowships. These fellowships are competitive and vary regarding the type (stipend and/or tuition support) and amount of support they offer. You will automatically be considered for program fellowships if you complete and submit your admission application by December 1st. No separate application is necessary.
- What is a Graduate Student Research (GSR) position and how do I get one?
- GSR positions are arranged with individual faculty members and are based on research grant funding. Applicants who are interested in a GSR position should contact individual faculty members in their areas of interest (see the list of graduate program faculty) to discuss possible research funding opportunities. GSR appointments of at least 25% provide full remission of fees and Non-Resident tuition, along with a monthly salary.
- What is a Teaching Assistantship (TA) position and how do I apply for one?
- TA responsibilities include running discussion sections, supervising laboratory experiments, grading, etc. These positions are typically 25% appointments that include partial remission of in-state fees and a monthly salary. TA positions are assigned for the upcoming academic year from a competitive pool of applications consisting of both current and new students. Once you have been admitted to the program, the department will send you a TA application (typically in August) for fall TA positions.
- What is a Readership position and how do I apply for one?
- Readers grade homework, labs, exams, etc. These positions are typically 25% appointments that include partial remission of in-state fees and a monthly salary. When you apply for a TA position, you will be automatically put in the running for a readership. There is no separate application process.
- Do I need to submit a FAFSA?
- All applicants who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents or immigrants should submit a FAFSA as early as possible. The FAFSA is used to assess your eligibility for financial assistance from federal sources. It should be submitted even if you are not applying for any federal grants yourself, as the program sometimes has fellowship aid from federal sources that you might be eligible for if you submit a FAFSA. Failure to file the FAFSA by the deadline automatically disqualifies you from receiving any federal aid.
- What are the estimated yearly expenses for a graduate student?
- UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimated yearly costs of attendance for graduate students.
- Tuition and Fees
- Cost of Attendance
- Is there funding available for non-resident supplemental tuition (NRST)?
- Students who are not California residents are required to pay NRST. For international and non-California students, NRST often poses the greatest financial difficulty. For international Ph.D. students, the NRST is reduced after you advance to candidacy for the degree. U.S. citizens and permanent residents often become California residents after one year of study.
- How do I establish California residency?
- Domestic students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) may be eligible for California residency after one year if certain requirements are met. After residency is established, a student is no longer required to pay non-resident supplemental tuition. All questions regarding California residency must be directed to the Residency Deputy in the Office of the Registrar. For information, visit: https://registrar.ucdavis.edu/Tuition/residence.
Certain non-resident students may qualify for in-state fees and a waiver of non-resident tuition if they attended at least three years and graduated from a California high school. International students on F-1 or J-1 visas cannot establish California residency, and therefore are assessed non-resident supplemental tuition until they pass their qualifying exam and advance to candidacy. Some students on other visas may qualify for California residency after 12 months, but full time student status may violate visa provisions. All visa questions should be referred to Services for International Students and Scholars (siss@ucdavis.edu).
Check out the below links for more information regarding applying:
- Preparing to Apply
- Application Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Learn more about our program by reading the GBSE overview.