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System Status: 

Half-Time Study (Graduate Students)

Find out if you're eligible for half-time status. If you are a graduate student approved for half-time status, you may be eligible for reduced fees.

Definition: You are a half-time graduate student if you're approved to enroll for 6 units. You are considered less than half-time if you are enrolled below 6 units.

Eligibility and enrollment for half-time status

  • You can be approved for half-time status for reasons of:
    • Occupation
    • Family responsibilities
    • Health
  • The Dean of Graduate Division grants approval to enroll as a half-time student.

Application and approval

  • Apply for half-time status on the electronic Petition for Graduate Half-Time Study. (Please note, half time requests submitted through the Graduate General Petition will not be accepted.)
  • Approval of half-time status continues each quarter, unless you enroll in more than six units.
  • Application deadline:
    • You must apply for half-time study by the end of Week 2, and get approval.
    • If you've already paid full registration fees, you'll receive a refund of the overpayment within 30 days.
    • If you haven't paid the registration fees for the quarter and you file the application after the fee-payment deadline, you will be charged late fees.
  • Note: International students in F-1 or J-1 visa status may only be approved for Health or Final Quarter reasons. International students must receive additional authorization to drop below full time enrollment by submitting an International Student Reduced Course Load Request. The student will receive an updated I-20 or DS-2019 with the reduced course load approval. Contact the International Students & Programs Office with any questions regarding F-1 or J-1 status and reduced course load.

Reduced fees and billing

If you have been approved for half-time study and are enrolled in 6 or fewer units at the end of Week 2, you are eligible for a reduction of:

  • One-half of tuition
  • One-half of nonresident supplemental tuition, if applicable

Half-time fee table

Mandatory Registration Fees

Fall 2023

Winter 2024

Spring 2024

Annual Total

Registration Fee Payment Deadline 9/25/23 12/15/23 3/22/24  
Systemwide Tuition & Fees    
Student Services Fee $402.00 $402.00 $402.00 $1,206.00
Tuition $2,044.00 $2,044.00 $2,044.00 $6,132.00
UC San Diego Fees    
Graduate Student Association Fee $20.11 $20.11 $20.11 $60.33
University Center Fee $113.76 $113.76 $113.76 $341.28
RIMAC Recreation Facility Fee $95.00 $95.00 $95.00 $285.00
Canyonview Recreation Facility Fee $22.00 $22.00 $22.00 $66.00
Mandatory Health Insurance $1,470.00 $1,470.00 $1,470.00 $4,410.00
CAPS/Student Mental Health Fee $35.71 $35.71 $35.71 $107.13
Student Transportation Fee $68.54 $68.54 $68.54 $205.62
Document Fee (Fall Quarter, one-time, newly admitted students) $100.00 -- -- $100.00
Total for California Residents $4,371.12 $4,271.12 $4,271.12 $12,913.36
Nonresident Supplemental Tuition $2,517.00 $2,517.00 $2,517.00 $7,551.00
Total for California Nonresidents
$6,888.12 $6,788.12 $6,788.12 $20,464.36

Other fees:

  • UCGPC Systemwide Fee: ($7.00 annually, effective Fall 2023) fee assessed $3.00 Fall quarter, $2.00 Winter quarter, $2.00 Spring quarter
  • International Student Visa Administration Fee: All first-time enrolled international first-year, transfer and graduate students will be assessed a one-time visa administration fee of $100.00 during their admitted term, effective Fall 2018.
  • Health Insurance is required as a condition of enrollment. Students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) however, students already covered by an insurance plan may qualify for a health fee waiver. Please see the Student Health Insurance Plan page for more information, including waiver criteria, submission process and deadline.
  • CAPS/Student Mental Health Fee: Per quarter fee, effective Fall 2020

Cost of Attendance

To see estimated cost of attendance information that includes tuition and fees, living expenses (i.e. food and housing), books, course materials, and more, please see the Financial Aid and Scholarships Cost of Attendance page. Please note that the Cost of Attendance does not reflect reduced tuition for students who are approved for half-time study.

Change in status

  • If you exceed 6 units, you will be billed for any balance of fees due. You must pay these fees before the end of Week 2 to avoid cancellation of your enrollment.
  • Half-time status lapses if at any time you exceed 6 units. You must reapply to return to half-time status.
  • If you make any adjustments to your schedule Weeks 2 through 4, please check your student account. If you see that you have been incorrectly assessed full-time tuition, please contact the Registrar's Office.
  • Any adjustments made after Week 4 could result in assessment of full-time fees.  Courses dropped with a "W" grade are included in total enrolled units.