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 are approved to enroll for 6 or fewer units per quarter.

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 Studies grants approval to enroll as a half-time student.

Application and approval

• Apply for half-time status on the Graduate Student Petition, available from your department.
• 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: If you are an international student, contact the International Student Office, (858) 534-3730 before you apply for half-time status.

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 the educational fee
• One-half of nonresident tuition, if applicable

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 have questions, contact the appropriate resource:

• Office of Graduate Studies and Research
• Registrar's Office
• International Student Office