Funding
The Department of History admits students to its graduate programs (MA and Ph.D.) with and without funding. Each student should refer to their departmental offer letter for specific details about their funding support. The information provided below serves to clarify the language of our funding offers and to help our graduate students pursue additional sources of funding within and outside of the department.
Regardless of the initial financial package, the department seeks to ensure that all continuing Ph.D. students are financially supported. To the extent that resources are insufficient to meet students' needs, the department, on the advice of the graduate committee, will rank students using a combined criterion of academic performance and financial need to award funds.
To be eligible for any type of funding, graduate students must be enrolled in 12 units of upper-division (100-199) or graduate level (200-500) courses during the regular academic year, maintain a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, and be within their Support Time Limit. Financial support is not renewed automatically but is approved by the department on a yearly basis.
Departmental Funding
Admissions Offer Letter Funding Packages
About the Offer Letter
A student's offer letter is their contract with the department. Annually, in the late spring quarter, the department will ask students about their funding plans for the next academic year. This is a good time to revisit your offer letter to request unused research funds or remind graduate program staff about the specific details of your admissions offer.
Admission Fellowships
The Department offers most incoming Ph.D. students fellowship packages. Fellowship packages are a combination of tuition and fees scholarships, a stipend, guaranteed employment and salary, and in some cases a Dissertation Year Fellowship.
Dissertation Fellowships
Dissertation fellowships are intended to give graduate students who have advanced to candidacy the opportunity for dedicated writing time and normally include a stipend and a fees scholarship for the payment of resident tuition and fees and, if applicable, non-resident tuition. Students with guaranteed dissertation funding (as stipulated in their letter of admission) may use some or all of this funding as a writing fellowship. A student who intends to use their guaranteed dissertation funding should ask their advisor to notify the Graduate Coordinator during the spring quarter of the year before its intended use.
Dissertation Fellowship Disbursement Request
To communicate how you would like your dissertation fellowship disbursed please click the button to the right to fill out and route for signature the Dissertation Fellowship Disbursement Request form via DocuSign. You will need to enter:
- your name and email
- the name and email of your faculty advisor
Fee Scholarships for Non-(CA) Resident Students
Within the limits of available funds, non-resident supplemental tuition scholarships are awarded to graduate students who are not legal residents of the state of California during their first year in the program. Students who are citizens of the United States must qualify for California residency for tuition purposes before their second year at UCSD. It is the responsibility of the student to file a declaration of residency. It is a policy of the Graduate Division not to offer tuition assistance to continuing students after their first year at graduate school.
Stipend Disbursement
About Stipends
Stipends are a one-time or a fixed regular sum paid (subject to income tax) to support a student's cost of living without the obligations of employment. Most departmental stipends are part of fellowship packages or awarded as research funds in offer letters. Stipend payments are disbursed at the end of the month (for example, a September stipend will be disbursed on October 1). More information about stipend disbursements can be found on the Student Financial Services page.
Stipend Disbursement
If you have received an award that you would like to be paid out as a stipend, we'll generally need two pieces of information, (1) when you would like the award disbursed (unless there are stipulations that require the award to be disbursed at a specific time) and (2) the terms of your award (if the funding was not awarded by the department).
Step 1: Email the graduate coordinator or student affairs manager to let us know when you would like your payments disbursed.
Step 2: Let us know the terms of your award.
For more information about stipend disbursements, including the payment schedule, please visit the Student Financial Solutions: Stipends page.
About Resident Tuition and Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition
Resident Tuition is comprised of University of California (UC) system-wide fees (fees charged to students at all UCs), and university-specific fees (fees charged only to students attending this specific UC, UC San Diego).
System-Wide Fees:
- Student Services Fee
- Tuition
- Health Insurance
University Fees:
- Grad Student Association Fee
- University Center Fee
- RIMAC Recreation Facility Fee
- Canyonview Recreation Fee
- CAPS/Student Mental Health Fee
- Student Transportation Fee
Resident Tuition and Fee Remission
Academic Student Employees (TAs, GSRs, Assoc.-Ins) receive a partial remission of fees when assigned to a 25% or above appointment. TA Health Insurance (TAHI) is funded by the Office of the President. TA Fee Remission (TAFE) is funded by each campus and pays 100% of the Student Services Fee and Tuition.
Remitted fees (fees the student doesn't pay):
- Student Services Fee
- Tuition
- Health Insurance
Unremitted campus fees* (fees the student pays):
- Grad Student Association Fee
- University Center Fee
- RIMAC Recreation Facility Fee
- Canyonview Recreation Fee
- CAPS/Student Mental Health Fee
- Student Transportation Fee
*Effective Winter 2019, TAFE will also pay $100 towards the unremitted campus fees.
A complete list of graduate student tuition and fees can be found on the Graduate Division website.Tuition and Fees Scholarships
The availability of all fee scholarships is dependent upon the annual budget. Students must submit, via the Award Tracking form below, documentation of awards in order to receive a tuition and fee scholarship.
In-Absentia Fee Scholarship
Students who have advanced to candidacy are eligible to receive a fee scholarship to pay the balance of the In-Absentia Registration fees waiver for three(3) quarters. Students who receive an extra-departmental award are eligible to receive up to an additional three (3) quarters of In Absentia registration tuition and fees paid by the department.
In-Residence Fee Scholarships
Students who have advanced to candidacy and have been awarded extramural (outside of the UC) grants/fellowship are eligible to receive a fees scholarship.
In-Absentia Fee Waiver and Registration
Departmental Payment of In Absentia Tuition and Fees
Where the Dean of the Graduate Division has approved In Absentia status, the Department will normally (assuming funds are available) pay tuition costs for one academic year (three quarters). Students who receive an extra-departmental award (note threshold amounts) are eligible to receive up to an additional three (3) quarters of In Absentia registration tuition and fees paid by the department. In no case will the department pay In Absentia tuition and fee costs beyond two academic years (six quarters) of In Absentia status. These limits on support time and the purpose of In Absentia tuition are firm rules; no petitions or requests for exceptions will be considered.
Activities that Qualify for In Absentia Status
- field research
- coursework away from campus
- a residential fellowship that requires residence away from San Diego*
*Student's advisor must confirm that holding such a fellowship would be the best course of action for the student to advance toward the degree.
External Award Thresholds
Check with the graduate coordinator for threshold amounts for the academic year/each quarter.
Travel Grants
The department has limited funds to assist graduate students with research expenses. Students may apply for a maximum of $1,500 a year to cover travel, subsistence, and other expenses for research purposes. Preference for these research awards will be given to students who are advanced to candidacy, are within normative time limits, and have not received previous research funding from the department. Awards may be reduced if demand exceeds the resources of the fund. Students with guaranteed dissertation funding (as stipulated in their admission letter) may use all or part of this money for research travel.
The department will send a call for travel twice a year (Fall and Spring quarters), budget-allowing. If awarded, you must complete and submit the History Reimbursement Request Form and the Student Certification of Business-Related Travel.
About Reimbursement
In order for staff to process any reimbursements on your behalf, you will need to:
- login to Concur to set up your profile
- add the individuals listed here as delegates to your account
Concur Log in: https://concur.ucsd.edu/
Set-Up Instructions:
What documentation is required for reimbursement?
- Student Certification of Business-Related Travel form
- Original receipts or copies are required for all expenses you are requesting reimbursement for.
- Itemized receipts showing proof of payment (name and credit card) are required for airfare and lodging expenses.
- Reimbursements are not guaranteed – reimbursements depend on the department’s funds at the time.
- Reimbursements through the UCSD travel system can take up to 10 business days to be processed after submission of the expense report either via direct deposit or paper check.
- Payroll and travel are processed separately. This means that if you are enrolled in direct deposit for employment checks, you are not automatically enrolled in direct deposit for travel reimbursements. To find out if you are enrolled in direct deposit for travel, email history-fiscal-g@ucsd.edu.
- If you split the cost of your hotel with someone else, please disclose that information. We can only reimburse your portion of the expense.
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
Prizes
H. Stuart Hughes Prize
The H. Stuart Hughes Prize is award annually to the student who produced the best research paper in one of our research seminars during each academic year. The honoree is announced at the Department of History's Welcome Reception the following year and awarded a $700 honorarium.
Hull-Marino Prize
The Hull-Marino Prize was named for Dryden Hull, a graduate student who was tragically lost in a car accident while a Ph.D. student in our program. His advisor, John Marino, raised money to endow the prize in Hull's memory. After Dr. Marino's passing the department faculty honored Dr. Marino's efforts by adding his name to the prize.
The Hull-Marino Prize is award annually to the graduating Ph.D. student who produced the best dissertation that academic year. The honoree is announced at the Department of History's End of Year Reception and awarded a $1000 honorarium.
Academic Student Employment (ASE)
The Department of History hires Teaching Assistants quarterly, and Graduate Student Researchers and Associate-Ins as circumstance and funding allow. More information about these positions and how to apply for them can be found on our Employment page.
The University of California Office of the President has mandated that graduate students may hold teaching assistant (TA) and Associate-in appointments for a maximum of 18 quarters (summer session appointments do not count toward this limit).
UC Intercampus Exchange Program Travel Grant
The UC Intercampus Exchange Program provides travel funding for registered graduate students to conduct research and research-specific collaborations at other UC campuses. The funding covers airfare only (up to $250) or mileage in place of airfare. The funding cannot be used to attend conferences, scholarly society meetings, business meetings, invited talks, or presentations of seminars.
To apply for this funding, please fill out the form and send it and documentation (receipts, mileage, etc.) to history-fiscal-g@ucsd.edu.
About Reimbursement
In order for staff to process any reimbursements on your behalf, you will need to:
- login to Concur to set up your profile
- add the individuals listed here as delegates to your account
Concur Log in: https://concur.ucsd.edu/
Set-Up Instructions:
What documentation is required for reimbursement?
- Student Certification of Business-Related Travel form
- Original receipts or copies are required for all expenses for which you are requesting reimbursement.
- Itemized receipts showing proof of payment (name and credit card) are required for airfare expenses.
- Reimbursements are not guaranteed – reimbursements depend on the department’s funds at the time.
- Reimbursements through the UCSD travel system can take up to 10 business days after the submission of the expense report to be processed either via direct deposit or paper check.
- Payroll and travel are processed separately. This means that if you are enrolled in direct deposit for employment checks, you are not automatically enrolled in direct deposit for travel reimbursements. To find out if you are enrolled in direct deposit for travel, email history-fiscal-g@ucsd.edu.
- If you split the cost of your hotel with someone else, please disclose that information. We can only reimburse your portion of the expense.
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
Extra-departmental Funding
Research Grants
All students are expected to apply for outside fellowships to fund field research, usually conducted in the fourth year. The student is responsible for identifying specific fellowships and keeping track of application deadlines. Many of the major research fellowships are submitted in the fall of the year before they would be used, so students are encouraged to start the process of identifying fellowship opportunities, writing a proposal, and securing recommendation letters during the spring and summer before applications are due.
GPSA Travel Grants
The Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) awards graduate and professional students grants for out-of-state travel to conferences where you will present your own professional work.
GSA Travel Grant: https://gpsa.ucsd.edu/grad-resources/funding/travel-grants.html
Non-ASE Positions
The Career Center hosts a listing of non-ASE positions (positions that do not provide tuition and fee remission but will provide additional income) on campus. It can be found on Handshake. It's best to search for jobs with the label graduate student preferred.
TA Fee Deferment and Loan Programs
These programs allow a couple of alternative options for paying your fees. Details can be found on the Graduate Division website.
TA Fee Deferment and Loan Programs: https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial/employment/ases/ta-fee-deferment-loan-programs.html
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate Student Tuition and Fees
More information on the breakdown of tuition and fees can be found on the financial support page under the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Can you help me understand the charges on my account?
We're always happy to help.
Before contacting staff please reference the Graduate Student Tuition and Fees link above to understand most charges.
If you still have questions please send a screenshot to the Graduate Program Assistant.
If there is something wrong with a payment transaction, please submit a ticket and add the Graduate Program Assistant as a watcher. Be prepared to attach any documentation or screenshots that might be helpful.
How to take a ScreenShot on your computer:
Are there options for paying my fees?
Yes. There are the TA Fee Deferment and Loan Programs. These programs allow a couple of alternative options for paying your fees. Details can be found on the Graduate Division's website.
TA Fee Deferment and Loan Programs: https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial/employment/ases/ta-fee-deferment-loan-programs.html
Can you help me with my taxes?
No. Faculty and staff are not authorized or trained to answer individual-specific tax questions; however, here are several resources you might find helpful:
Free tax preparation assistance
- Domestic: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Find-a-Location-for-Free-Tax-Prep
- International–UCSD International Center: https://ispo.ucsd.edu/advising/financial/taxes.html
1098 Form Questions
- Access your 1098-T: www.tsc1098t.com
- 1-877-467-3821
- Login information can be found at: https://students.ucsd.edu/finances/fees/tax-credit.html
- The vendor, TAB Services, can be reached at: 888-220-2540
- The Campus 1098-T line is 858-246-5900
- Email comes from registrar@ucsd.edu
W-2 Form Questions: https://ucpath.ucsd.edu/benefits-payroll/payroll/w2-statements.html
1099 Form Questions: https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/tax/forms/1099.html
1042-S Form Questions (international students, only): Taxes: Form 1042-S and Section E of Tax Withholding FAQ for Foreign Visitors (Stipends paid on title code 3296 through PPS will be reported on the 1042-S provided by Payroll.)
General Information
- For proof of stipend income (for stipends issued through ProSAM), students may print their Graduate Appointment Letter(s) at: https://gradforms.ucsd.edu/portal/student/index.php
Can you fill out this W-9 for me?
IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is used to certify the taxpayer identification number (TIN) or Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), type of taxpayer, and tax status. Graduate students will usually be asked to fill this out when they have been awarded an extramural fellowship. Please refer to the Blink page and follow the instructions under the heading, W-9s for Payers to UCSD.
Blink-IRS Form W-9: https://blink.ucsd.edu/finance/tax/forms/w9/index.html
Where can I see records of my pay?
At Your Service Online (AYSO) allows you to see your salary from any forms of on-campus employment and lists your employee ID number for all salary earned prior to May 2020.
UCPath allows you to see your salary from any forms of on-campus employment and lists your employee ID number for all salary earned after to May 2020.
AYSO and UC Path do not list stipend payments, but grad students can go to the Grad Student Portal to view/verify their stipend payments and funding awards. The link is on the following site (towards bottom of page): https://grad.ucsd.edu/
How do I set up Direct Deposit?
Please see the guidance on the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs' website: https://grad.ucsd.edu/financial/financial-faq.html#How-does-a-student-sign-up-for-
How do I set-up my Concur profile so department staff can process reimbursements on my behalf?
In order for staff to process any reimbursements on your behalf, you will need to:
- login to Concur to set up your profile
- add the individuals listed here as delegates to your account
Concur Log in: https://concur.ucsd.edu/
Set-Up Instructions:
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
How do the Support Time Limit and 18 quarter employment limit affect my funding?
Both the support time limit and 18 quarter ASE limit can complicate a student's funding plans for their last year in the program. The Support Time Limit (SUTL) is the amount of time a student may receive any type of university financial support, including tuition and fee remission granted through their employment as an Academic Student Employee (Reader, Teaching Assistant {TA} or Associate-In {AI} or Graduate Student Research {GSR}). Students are limited to 18 quarters (six years) of appointments as either Teaching Assistants or Associate-Ins during the regular academic year (summer appointments don't count) and quarters where a student only held Readerships and GSRs don't count.
Students must keep an eye on both of these limits throughout their time in the program. Below is a link to an excel spreadsheet students can download and use to track both limits and a graph showing a few examples of how these two limits can interact.
ASE-SUTL Funding ElligibilityTracker (.xlsx)
