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 and in the Graduate Student Handbook.

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 Student Fees 2021-22

(a) A limited number of Nonresident Tuition Fellowships are available. Please refer to the Financial Support section.

The tuition and fees posted here are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by increases or reductions in State funding, or other developments. Accordingly, final approved levels (and thus a student's final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown. For information on fee refunds, see Fees and Expenses. Please contact your staff graduate representative for more information about fees for other student statuses, such as part-time or in-absentia.

Minimum annual expenses, including registration fees, for a single graduate student living on campus are estimated to be $49,743 per academic year. Students should not plan to undertake graduate study without assured funding, since outside employment in the Santa Cruz community can be difficult to obtain. An estimated sample student budget for the 2021-22 academic year is provided below. Non–California residents should add $15,102 in nonresident tuition and fees to the total.

Graduate Student Budget, 2021-22

a) Estimated room and board for graduate students living with family is $5,835.

b) Expenses of owning a car and parking on campus are not included here. For parking fees, see Transportation and Parking Services.

c) Some graduate programs are also assessed a professional fee.

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.

Beginning in fall 2020, UC Santa Cruz will be offering new and continuing doctoral and MFA students support packages of five years (two for MFA) with a minimum level of support equivalent to a 50 percent teaching assistantship. For 2023-24, this program will bring support for eligible doctoral and MFA students—stipend, fees, tuition, GSHIP, etc.—up to approximately $48,000 annually.

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.