Half-Time Study (Graduate Students)
Last Updated: September 5, 2024 10:31:44 AM PDT
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If you are a graduate student approved for half-time status, you may be eligible for reduced fees. Learn more below.
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 for half-time status
- You can be approved for half-time status for reasons of:
- Employment
- Family responsibilities
- Medical
- Final quarter
- 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 Services and Engagement Office with any questions regarding F-1 or J-1 status and reduced course load.
Application and approval
- Complete the Graduate Half-Time Study form.
- Application deadline: You must submit the Graduate Half-Time Study form and be enrolled in 6 units or fewer by 11:59 PM PT on the Friday of Week 2 of the quarter.
- Please note, half time requests submitted through the Graduate General Petition will not be accepted.
- If you've already paid full registration fees and you are later approved for half-time study, your student account will be automatically credited the difference. If you'd like to obtain a refund for a credit on your student account, contact Student Financial Solutions.
- Requests for half-time study must be reviewed by a student’s department advisor, department chair, International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) (for international students only), and Graduate Financial Support in the Division of Graduate Education (GEPA) before being processed by the Office of the Registrar.
Change in status
Half-time status continues each quarter, unless you:
- Enroll over 6 units
- This can potentially result in the assessment of full-time tuition that must be paid immediately to avoid having your enrollment canceled for non-payment or to avoid receiving a registration hold.
- Review your student account after any enrollment adjustments made during Weeks 2 through 4. If you see that you have been incorrectly assessed full-time tuition, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
- Courses dropped with a "W" grade are included in total enrolled units.
- Withdraw or take a leave of absence
- If you withdraw or take a leave of absence, you must reapply to return to half-time status.
Reapply for half-time status after a change in status
Contact your graduate program coordinator to initiate this process.
Reduced fees and billing
If you have been approved for half-time study and are enrolled in 6 units or fewer by the Friday 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 2024 |
Winter 2025 |
Spring 2025 |
Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee Payment Deadline | 9/20/24 | 12/20/24 | 3/21/25 | |
| Systemwide Tuition & Fees | ||||
| Student Services Fee | $418.00 | $418.00 | $418.00 | $1,254.00 |
| Tuition | $2,127.00 | $2,127.00 | $2,127.00 | $6,381.00 |
| UC San Diego Fees | ||||
| Graduate Student Association Fee | $20.69 | $20.69 | $20.69 | $62.07 |
| University Center Fee | $110.85 | $110.85 | $110.85 | $332.55 |
| RIMAC Recreation Facility Fee | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $300.00 |
| Canyonview Recreation Facility Fee | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $66.00 |
| Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,881.00 | $1,881.00 | $1,881.00 | $5,643.00 |
| CAPS/Student Mental Health Fee | $37.14 | $37.14 | $37.14 | $111.42 |
| Student Transportation Fee | $69.57 | $69.57 | $69.57 | $208.71 |
| Document Fee (One-time, newly admitted students) | $100.00 | -- | -- | $100.00 |
| Total for California Residents | $4,886.25 | $4,786.25 | $4,786.25 | $14,458.75 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition | $2,517.00 | $2,517.00 | $2,517.00 | $7,551.00 |
| Total for California Nonresidents |
$7,403.25 | $7,303.25 | $7,303.25 | $22,009.75 |
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 $150.00 during their admitted term.
- 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.
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.