Nursing Student Affairs Office’s Mission

The Nursing Student Affairs Office’s mission is to facilitate the academic development of Nursing Science students, and to assist them in achieving their academic, personal, and professional goals by providing high quality academic advising and counseling. Our highly experienced academic counselors work with all prospective and current undergraduate and graduate students.

Please note: Tuition and mandatory 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.

Nursing Student Affairs Staff

The Student Affairs office oversees the following: academic student employees, advising, commencement, events, graduate admissions, orientation, outreach, recruitment, schedule of classes, scholarships, student evaluations, student communication, student programming, and more.

Megan Enciso, M.Ed.

Director of Student Affairs and DEIB Initiatives
menciso1@uci.edu

Kim Cattarusa-Bernard, M.Ed.

Assistant Director of Prelicensure Student Affairs

BS (Undergraduate), MEPN (Master’s)
kcattaru@uci.edu

Alejandra Gutiérrez, M.A.

Assistant Director of Doctoral Student Affairs

DNP, PhD
a.gutierrez@uci.edu

Jennifer Garcia, M.S.

Undergraduate Academic Advisor

jenng21@hs.uci.edu

Cely Dean

Administrative Specialist

adean@hs.uci.edu

Nursing Peer Academic Advisor, Shreya Ramnath

Shreya Ramnath

Peer Academic Advisor

Meet Shreya!

Enrolled Undergraduate Student Resources
Enrolled Graduate Student Resources
Resources for Students
Update Your Alumni Information

Contact Us

Undergraduate Email: nssao@uci.edu
Graduate Email: gnsao@uci.edu
Note: Our Nursing Student Affairs staff works very closely together to support our students. Please avoid sending duplicate emails to multiple staff members.

Office Hours:
M-F 9am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm
*hours may vary during holidays and the summer

Phone: 949-824-1514
Address: Nursing Student Affairs is now located on the fourth floor of the new COHS Building.  Our offices are no longer located in Berk Hall.
Note: Our building is not open for prospective student visits, walk-in questions, and/or tours.  Undergraduate applicants should contact UC Irvine’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information about how to apply to the Nursing Science major at UC Irvine.  Graduate applicants should contact gnsao@hs.uci.edu for more information about how to apply to graduate programs (MEPN, DNP, and PhD) within the School of Nursing at UC Irvine.

Student Affairs Faculty Info Sheet
Faculty Research Interests
FERPA Release of Information Request Form

Advising

Current UCI undergraduate nursing students can email nssao@uci.edu to schedule an advising appointment, and current UCI graduate nursing students can email gnsao@uci.edu to schedule an advising appointment. All Undergraduate nursing students will have mandatory mid-quarter appointments fall, winter, and spring quarters, and an email will be send out for scheduling. Appointments are available in-person or online.

Non-nursing majors at UCI can get questions answered via ZotChat or can meet with a Peer Academic Advisor. To make an appointment with a Peer Academic Advisor, email nssao@uci.edu.

Prospective graduate students may email gnsao@uci.edu for any questions. Prospective freshmen and transfer students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions through their contact form. We do not currently offer individual appointments or tours for prospective students.

Please note, we do not accept in-person walk-ins – quick questions can be answered via ZotChat only.

Zot Chat

Zot Chat is an online live chat service available for students to ask general counseling or advising related questions. Counselors and Peer Academic Advisors from the Nursing Student Affairs team will be available to answer general questions related to the following:

  • Policies and Procedures
  • Degree Requirements
  • Change of Major Requirements
  • Prerequisite Information
  • Enrollment Issues

Zot Chat is intended for questions that can be answered quickly. Please email Nursing Student Affairs or schedule an appointment with an academic counselor to discuss questions and/or advisement that require more time.

NOTE: Zot Chat is NOT intended to answer questions related to:

  • Career Counseling
  • Admissions Counseling
  • Transcript Evaluation
  • Graduation Checks
  • Creating a Study Plan
  • Academic Probation or Disqualification
  • Personal/Crisis/Mental Health Counseling

Zot Chat is not available for Personal/Crisis/Mental Health Counseling. UC Irvine students in need of these services should contact the UCI Counseling Center directly: http://www.counseling.uci.edu/.

Chat with us!

click image to start chatting

Zot Chat Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00am-12:00pm

Monday-Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm

*Hours may vary depending on advisor availability

Enrolled Undergraduate Student Resources

Current Nursing Science students can find their up-to-date curriculum plans below:

If you are a Campuswide Honors Collegium student, please refer to the plans below:

If you are a current Nursing Science undergraduate and are unsure which plan applies to you, please email Student Affairs (nssao@uci.edu) for clarification. Nursing Science students must take required science prerequisite courses at UCI, unless admitted directly to the Nursing Science major as a transfer student.

If you are a non-nursing undergraduate at UC Irvine planning to apply to change your major to Nursing Science, please see our Admissions page for relevant information.

Please view the following information before your Orientation:

  • UCI General Catalogue – Refer to the Catalogue for course descriptions, university policies, prerequisite information, and major and minor requirements
  • Major Requirements – Undergraduate Degree Requirements for the Nursing Science major
  • GE Requirements – GE considerations for Nursing Science majors
  • Registering for Classes – View the tutorials below under ‘Resources for Students’ for directions on how to view the schedule of classes and register for classes
  • Schedule of Classes – View all of the course offerings for the upcoming quarter
  • New Student Checklist – View the New Student Checklist for Freshmen and Transfers
  • Incoming transfer students should email nssao@uci.edu with any questions regarding their prerequisite coursework

General Academic Policies and Procedures

  • What courses for the major can I take at a Community College?
    • Nursing Science students can take lower division degree requirements at Community Colleges, including GE requirements and non-science lower-division major requirements, except for the following requirements:
      • Lower Division and Upper Division Writing (GE Category I)
      • BIO SCI and CHEM lower-division major requirements
    • Students who take courses at a community college must take those courses for a letter grade. Non-science, lower-division courses required for the major taken at another institution must be completed with a letter grade of B or better. GE courses taken at another institution must be completed with a letter grade of C or better. Nursing Science students must take required science prerequisite courses at UCI, unless admitted directly to the Nursing Science major as a transfer student.
  • How do I know which courses to take at Community College and what they’ll count for at UCI?
    • Students can utilize assist.org to determine transfer-ability of coursework from California Community Colleges to UC Irvine. Students should select the “Nursing Science, B.S.” major to review transferable lower-division requirements. Students with questions about how to navigate assist.org can reach out to Nursing Science peer advisors for assistance. Nursing Science students must take required science prerequisite courses at UCI, unless admitted directly to the Nursing Science major as a transfer student.
  • I heard that if I don’t pass a class, I get kicked out of the major. Is that true?
    • Nursing Science students are provided with an updated Student Handbook that reviews course failure and course repeat policies in greater detail. While each student situation may be unique, in general students are required to pass Nursing Science required courses with a letter grade “C” or better. If students are concerned about their grade in a course, they should reach out to a Nursing Science Advisor for additional assistance and guidance.

Nursing Science Enrollment

  • Other students outside of Nursing Science are required to take Chem 1LC for their major and it’s listed as a co-requisite with Chem 1C in the UCI Catalogue, but it’s not listed on the Nursing Science curriculum plan. Do I need to enroll in it?
    • No. Nursing Science students do not need to enroll in Chem 1LC. Certain prerequisite requirements are waived for Nursing Science students only; students should refer to Nursing Course plans and emails from Nursing Student Affairs. Students with additional questions about coursework should contact Student Affairs for assistance.
  • Some of the Nursing Science major requirements are restricted for other majors/have prerequisites that I haven’t completed. How will I enroll these courses?
    • The Nursing Science Student Affairs office will work with first year Nursing Science students in to enroll in those courses. They should look out for an email from staff with additional information during enrollment.
  • I haven’t completed all of the prerequisites for my Second Year Bio Sci courses listed in the UCI General Catalogue. How will I enroll in these courses?
    • Nursing Science students have certain prerequisites for required courses waived for them. Students should follow the posted Nursing Science curriculum plans and consult with an academic advisor if they have any additional questions.
  • Can I take my required Bio Sci/Pharm Sci courses at a different time than what is listed on the curriculum plan, like later in the program during Junior or Senior year?
    • No. Nursing Science students have a strict course sequence and may not take Chem, Pharm Sci, or Bio Sci courses during the third or fourth years in the program.
  • I’m trying to enroll in a course and I’m receiving a message that I can’t exceed the maximum number of units. What should I do?
    • Contact Nursing Science Student Affairs at nssao@uci.edu for more information about whether or not you can have the limit lifted.
  • What is Nur Sci 199? How can I enroll in this course?
    • Nur Sci 199 is considered “Independent Study.” Nur Sci 199 is a research course that allows students to work with Nursing Science faculty individually. The supervising faculty member must approve students who are interested in enrolling in this course.

Other Nursing Science Questions

  • What is the White Coat Ceremony? When does it happen?
    • The White Coast Ceremony is an annual event designed to celebrate all incoming Third Year/Junior Nursing Science students and first year MEPN students. The ceremony usually takes place on the first day of the Fall quarter. During the event, students officially receive their white coat which signals that students are ready for their clinical rotations.
  • Can I invite my family to the White Coat Ceremony? Is it open to the public?
    • Yes, you can invite your family and friends to the ceremony. It is a free, private event and tickets are required, but the number of guest tickets per student are limited. Details will be sent out in July/August.
  • When are students required to wear UCI Nursing Science scrubs?
    • Students are required to follow guidelines for Professional Attire as outlined in the Student Handbook. Students will receive information for ordering official scrubs before the start of clinical hours in the program (Year 3 and Year 4). Students are also expected to abide by guidelines for professional attire in simulated clinical settings and when practicing clinical skills. Students may reach out to their professors before the start of class if they are unclear whether or not scrubs are required.
  • When do I find out about my clinical rotation assignment?
    • Clinical rotations start in Winter Quarter of the Third Year (Junior Year) of the program and continue for the remainder of the program through preceptorship in the final quarter. Every effort is made to notify students of clinical rotation assignments as soon as possible, but each quarter that timeline will vary as the School of Nursing works with different departments at different hospitals. Students should plan to have as much flexibility in their schedules during clinical rotations as possible.
  • Where will I be assigned for clinical rotations?
    • The School of Nursing works with a variety of hospitals and organizations across Orange County. The specific location that you are assigned to will depend on the type of rotation and the current agreements for that quarter. You will find out more information about your location when you receive your clinical rotation assignment.
  • I heard there are two graduation ceremonies in Nursing. What are they?
    • Nursing Science students will attend UCI Commencement along with other students in the College of Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Nursing will hold a separate Pinning Ceremony that signifies the completion of the Nursing program.
  • After I graduate from UCI, can I practice as a Registered Nurse?
    • Graduating from the Nursing Science program will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam will earn their RN license in the state of California. Applying to take the NCLEX-RN exam is the responsibility of the student. Students receive detailed information about how to sign up to take the NCLEX-RN exam during the Spring quarter of their final year in the program.

Enrolled Graduate Student Resources

MEPN

  • M.S. 2023-2024 Student Handbook
  • M.S. Student Handbook Receipt – sent via Docusign
  • Advancement to Candidacy and Final Degree Paperwork Docusign and instructions will be sent to you via email in Winter and Spring quarter of your second year

DNP

Advancement to Candidacy

  • DNP Internal SON Advancement to Candidacy Form – To be completed as an assignment in Nur Sci 237 (Intersession) prior to the planned DNP Project proposal defense date.
  • DNP Form 1 – Advancement to Candidacy – official Graduate Division form, will be sent via DocuSign by Doctoral Programs Manager

Project Presentation

  • DNP Internal SON Project Presentation Form – To be completed as an assignment in Nur Sci 242 (DNP Scholarly Project IV) prior to the planned DNP Project presentation date.
  • DNP Form 2 – Signature Page – official Graduate Division form, will be sent via DocuSign by Doctoral Programs Manager

PhD

Comprehensive Exam

Advancement to Candidacy

Dissertation Defense

  • PhD Dissertation Handbook
  • PhD Dissertation Defense Form
  • PhD Form 2 – please contact the Doctoral Programs Manager to initiate the Graduate Division PhD Form 2 for final degree paperwork on Docusign
  • Filing Fee – please contact the Doctoral Programs Manager to initiate the Graduate Division Filing Fee on Docusign, if necessary (see FAQ’s for information on Filing Fee)

MEPN

DNP

PhD

Graduate Division

Doctoral Dissertation/Scholarly Project helpful links:

UCI libraries formatting manual – https://guides.lib.uci.edu/gradmanual

Information for submitting DNP scholarly project/PhD Dissertation to the library, including timeline: https://etd.lib.uci.edu/

Grad Division submission information – https://www.grad.uci.edu/academics/degree-completion/electronic-submission.php

Instructions for electronic submission – https://www.grad.uci.edu/academics/degree-completion/instructions-for-electronic-submission.php

Associated Graduate Students of UCI

UAW Local 2865 (Student Workers Union)

Grad Funding

Fellowships Administered by Graduate Division

Other UCI Funding Sources

*Please note, certain fellowships from UCI’s Graduate Division may only be available to PhD students due to the state funded nature of the program.

  • What can I do with a DNP? 
    • A DNP can help advance your career in the direction of leadership in clinical practice. You can also use your DNP to work as a professor at the college and university level. 
  • What’s the course transfer policy or course substitution policy for the DNP? 
    • UCI does not accept transfer credit for doctoral programs.  If equivalent courses were taken in another graduate nursing program, up to 2 courses can be waived/substituted, however, the units would need to be made up by taking elective courses. Please have the syllabus for each course you wish to petition and connect with the Faculty of Record and work with the DNP advisor to help you with the petition process. 
  • Are there research opportunities in this program? 
    • The DNP Scholarly Project will offer you opportunities to research, implement and evaluate a clinical practice or health policy issue. There may also be opportunities for students to work with faculty on their individual research.
  • Can you work full-time while in the DNP program? 
    • Full-time work may be possible, however it is not recommended. Please keep in mind that the DNP is a full-time program, and the pace and intensity are demanding, especially in year 2 when clinical rotations begin. 
  • How often will I need to come to campus? 
    • On-campus sessions are required each quarter for about a day or day and a half.  These visits will typically occur in week 9 each quarter and will be held on Thursday-Saturday. Some quarters may require additional on-campus days due to the clinical nature of the course. In addition, the Prologue, Intersession, and Epilogue courses are a 3.5 days on-campus intensive sessions. 
  • When will my classes take place?
    • DNP classes are hybrid in nature and students are expected to be available for synchronous sessions during their class time. 1st year DNP-FNP courses are on Tuesday, 2nd year DNP-FNP courses are on Wednesday, and 3rd year DNP-FNP courses are on Thursday. DNP Post-Master’s courses may vary from 1-2 days a week, depending on the quarter.
  • Is there campus housing or transportation for me during these on-campus sessions? 

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS 

  • For the DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program, do I need to find my own clinical preceptors 
    • The UCI School of Nursing has experienced preceptors in a variety of clinical sites and specialty areas in the Orange County and surrounding areas.  These NP, MD, DO and CNM preceptors are available to DNP/FNP students.  The School of Nursing coordinates the clinical placements. You may identify and recommend preceptors with whom you have networked for the purpose of clinical placements. All preceptors must be vetted by the UCI DNP program, and a formal affiliation must be established between the precepting entity and UCI prior to attending these clinical sites. The UCI School of Nursing will make every attempt to place you in a clinical site near you, however travel may be required to drive to further clinical sites.
  • Where can I complete my DNP scholarly project? 
    • You may complete the clinical hours which are part of the scholarly project in your place of employment or other clinical agency suitable to your project. 
  • Do I need to live or relocate to California? 
    • You must live in California prior to the start of your clinical practicum courses in January of year 2 and are required to complete your DNP APRN Practicum courses in California. You must hold an active, full (not temporary) unrestricted California RN license during your tenure in the program. 
  • When will clinical hours begin? 
    • The first clinical practicum course begins in January of Year 2. 
  • Am I required to go through a background check? 
    • The School of Nursing will coordinate this with an external agency. 

  • Can I work while I take classes in the MEPN program?
    • The MEPN program is an accelerated, time-intensive program that requires a flexible schedule, especially for clinical rotations. Some students are able to find flexible part-time work that can function around their coursework in MEPN, but all students should note that Nursing Science courses and requirements should come first before any outside work. Students looking for employment at UCI as an Academic Student Employee or other campus positions should view the policies related to graduate employment (https://grad.uci.edu/funding/faculty-staff/student-employment.php), noting that students may not work more than 50% time when employed by the university.
  • Can I TA while I’m in the MEPN program?
    • Some students are able to find and secure TAships while in the MEPN program, but these cases are not common. The School of Nursing does not offer MEPN students TAships for Nursing Science courses, so it is up to the individual student to find and secure a TAship within a department on campus. It is not recommended that students pursue a TAship during their first quarter as they are adjusting to graduate-level nursing courses.
  • When are MEPN students required to wear UCI Nursing Science scrubs?
    • Students are required to follow guidelines for Professional Attire as outlined in the Student Handbook. Students will receive information for ordering official scrubs during orientation in the summer before starting the program. Students are also expected to abide by guidelines for professional attire in simulated clinical settings and when practicing clinical skills. Students may reach out to their professors before the start of class if they are unclear whether or not scrubs are required.
  • When do I find out about my clinical rotation assignment?
    • Clinical rotations start in Winter Quarter of Year One of the program and continue for the remainder of the program through preceptorship in the final quarter. Every effort is made to notify students of clinical rotation assignments as soon as possible, but each quarter that timeline will vary as the School of Nursing works with different departments at different hospitals. Students should plan to have as much flexibility in their schedules during clinical rotations as possible.
  • Where will I be assigned for clinical rotations?
    • The School of Nursing works with a variety of hospitals and organizations across Orange County. The specific location that you are assigned to will depend on the type of rotation and the current agreements for that quarter. You will find out more information about your location when you receive your clinical rotation assignment.
  • Are MEPN students eligible to participate in the White Coat Ceremony?
    • Yes. The White Coat Ceremony is an annual event designed to celebrate all incoming Third Year/Junior Nursing Science students and first year MEPN students. The ceremony usually takes place on the first day of the Fall quarter. During the event, students officially receive their white coat which signals that students are ready for their clinical rotations.
  • Can I invite my family to the White Coat Ceremony? Is it open to the public?
    • Yes, you can invite your family and friends to the ceremony. It is a free, private event and tickets are required, but the number of guest tickets per student are limited. Details will be sent out to students in late Summer/early Fall.
  • I heard there are two graduation ceremonies in Nursing. What are they?
    • Nursing Science students will attend UCI Commencement along with other students in the College of Health Sciences. In addition, the School of Nursing will hold a separate Pinning Ceremony that signifies the completion of the Nursing program.
  • After I graduate from the UCI MEPN program, can I practice as a Registered Nurse?
    • Graduating from the Nursing Science program will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam will earn their RN license in the state of California. Applying to take the NCLEX-RN exam is the responsibility of the student. Students receive detailed information about how to sign up to take the NCLEX-RN exam during the Spring quarter of their final year in the program.

  • When do Comprehensive Exams take place?
    • Upon completion of all required coursework. This typically occurs during year 2 or 3 of the program. Information will be sent to you via email with details.
  • Who is on my Comprehensive Exam committee?
    • Your comprehensive exam committee will consist of your supervisor and two other Nursing faculty members.
  • What is the difference between a 298 and 299 course?
    • A 298 course is a directed study which should be enrolled in when you are completing a course with your professor that is not normally taught. An example may be taking a 1-1 course with a professor in an area that we currently don’t offer. A 299 independent study is a course for students intending to further a project, research, or topic with a professor that goes beyond what is already studied.
  • When do I enroll in 399 University Teaching?
    • If you are assigned a TA position, you may enroll in the 399 course under the faculty whose class you will be assisting. Please note, this is not required in order to TA.
  • When do I enroll in 296 Doctoral Dissertation Reading and Writing?
    • After you complete all of your required coursework and advance to candidacy, you should enroll in 296 units with your chair and/or committee members as you work on your dissertation. You will need to be enrolled in 12 units per quarter to retain full-time status.
  • How do I enroll in a class for a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade?
    • You cannot change your grade option to S/U in WebReg, so you will need to request this option from the faculty teaching the class. In order to pass with an ‘S’ grade, you must earn a ‘B’ or better. A ‘B-’ grade and below is considered unsatisfactory progress and not passing for graduate students. The faculty member has the right to decide whether or not to assign a letter grade or S/U grade. S/U grades to not get calculated into your GPA.
  • If I missed the guaranteed housing deadline when I was admitted can I receive it later on?
    • Unfortunately, no. Priority housing takes place only when you are newly admitted to the program.
  • When will I know if I am assigned as a TA or GSR?
    • You will receive an email sometime in July with your work assignment. If you are chosen as a TA, you will receive details each quarter (around week 7) regarding your TA assignment including the class, hours, and responsibilities.
  • How do I know what my funding package looks like?
    • Please refer to your original offer letter which details your individual funding package. Each year that you are funded, you will receive your work assignment (if applicable) sometime in July. For funding questions, please email the Director of Student Affairs.
  • How do I pick my Advancement to Candidacy committee members?
    • Your advancement to candidacy committee should consist of 5 members. The chair and the majority of the committee must be from the School of Nursing, and you must have one outside member, which is a faculty member outside of the School of Nursing. After passing the comprehensive exam, students must submit the Nursing PhD Committee Membership form to the Student Affairs Office. The Student Affairs Office will then confirm with the Graduate Division if the chosen committee complies with Senate rules. Once your committee is approved, you may then complete the Nursing Proposal Defense form and submit to gnsao@uci.edu for approval. Once approved and passed, you will need to complete the Graduate Division’s PhD Form 1, pay the $90 at the Cashier’s Office, and submit the form with payment stamp to the Graduate Division.
      • From UCI senate regulations 905-935
        • CANDIDACY COMMITTEE
          • Chair
            • Primary or joint appointment in student’s department/academic unit
            • Voting member of senate
            • NO EXCEPTIONS
          • General Members
            • 2 members must have primary/joint appointment in student’s department/academic unit
            • 3rd member can be UC senate (not necessarily from Irvine) or below by exception
            • Non-voting SENATE, faculty from other universities, non-senate faculty with equivalent scholarly standing BY EXCEPTION ONLY
            • Majority of committee (including chair and outside member) must hold primary/joint appointment in student’s department/academic unit
          • Outside member
            • Must be from Irvine division
            • May NOT hold primary OR JOINT appointment in student’s department/academic unit
            • Represents “faculty at large”
            • Serves as unbiased independent judge
            • NO EXCEPTIONS
          • Appointment Procedures
            • Approval of committee is by academic unit chair or designee
            • Exceptions are approved by Dean of Graduate Division
  • How do I pick my Doctoral committee for my PhD Form 2?
    • Your doctoral committee needs a minimum of 3 members. The chair must be from the School of Nursing as well as the majority of the committee. When you are ready to defend your dissertation, fill out the Nursing PhD Dissertation Defense form and submit it to gnsao@uci.edu at least two weeks prior to your defense date. Once approved, you will need to bring the Graduate Division PhD Form 2 to your defense to obtain appropriate signatures. After passing your dissertation defense, submit signed and completed PhD Form 2 to the Graduate Division. Make sure to review the PhD Form 2 prior to your defense to learn how to file your dissertation with the library.
      • From UCI senate regulations 905-935
        • DOCTORAL COMMITTEE
          • Chair
            • Hold primary of joint academic appointment in academic unit supervising the doctoral program
            • No exceptions
          • Members
            • 3 voting members of UC academic Senate (not necessarily Irvine)
            • Equivalent standing members by exception only
            • Majority should be affiliated with the program/unit
            • At least one member must hold primary appointment in the student’s department/academic unit
          • Appointment Procedures
            • Members approved by academic unit chair or designee
            • Exceptions are approved by Dean of Graduate Division
  • What is a filing fee and how do I initiate this?
    • Graduate students are eligible for one filing fee quarter during their graduate career. During the filing fee quarter, students pay one-half the registration fee and do not enroll in any classes. The filing fee option only applies to students who have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. degree except for official submission of a dissertation to the University Archives. This means that prior to the beginning of the filing fee quarter, all other requirements for the degree must have been met by the student, including advancement to candidacy and the resolution of any NR or I grades. Students should note that there is a separate form when submitting a summer filing fee petition. Please contact the Doctoral Programs Manager to initiate any filing fee process.
    • International via restrictions may preclude filing fee status for students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. International students should verify their eligibility for filing fee status via the International Center well in advance of need.

UCI is transitioning to a new payroll system called UCPath effective January 2020, see the UCPath Student Employee Fact Sheet for additional information. UCPath will be used for all payroll transactions such as Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Teaching Assistant (TA) appointments. Students receiving fellowship will still receive those payments via the Graduate Division fellowship system. If you have a question about your funding, please contact Megan Enciso (menciso1@hs.uci.edu).

General Funding Information:

UC Policy states students can only hold up to 50% appointments during the academic year. The academic year is Fall, Winter, and Spring (see Registrar’s Office calendar for dates). It is the student’s responsibility to report any variation in payment (other than slight adjustments in pay day or net income due to withholding). While we make every effort to process pay accurately, mistakes do happen. Please always confirm receipt of funds before spending and bring any inconsistencies to the attention of SON staff immediately. Students will be held responsible in cases of payment overages.

For current 100% time GSR salary rates, please visit:

https://ap.uci.edu/wp-content/uploads/gsr.pdf

For current 100% time TA salary rates, please visit:

https://ap.uci.edu/wp-content/uploads/stuTA.pdf

Pay Day:

The SON tries to set up all TA and GSR paychecks to pay in arrears. For example, if you work the month of October you will be paid November 1st. As a graduate student, you may be switched between the fellowship and payroll systems without notification. It is important to never plan to receive your paycheck before the 1st of the month. If you do not receive your paycheck on the 1st please contact Megan Enciso.

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Teaching Assistant appointments (TA):

Students are paid via payroll for Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Teaching Assistant appointments (TA). Teaching Assistant salaries are determined by union contract.

  • UCI Payroll Direct Deposit (UCInetID sign-in required) – It is important that you sign up for direct deposit with your employee (not student) ID number. Please contact payroll@uci.edu for assistance with direct deposit.
  • UC Path – Paystubs, employment verification and update your W-4 and address

Fellowships and Training Grants:

Students on Fellowships and Training grants are typically paid via the fellowship system. These payments are set up to pay at the beginning of each month.

Students on external fellowships and training grants often have different payment schedules based on agency requirements.

Students are encouraged to seek extramural funding. Students will receive either the amount of their extramural funding or the department standard rate, whichever is greater. Unless the funding specifically states otherwise, students are not entitled to receive both awards.

In order to receive a fellowship payment students must complete an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or tax form (Glacier) depending on their citizenship status. FAFSAs must be completed once each calendar year.

Taxes and Withholding:

Funding received via payroll is subject to withholding but what is deducted depends on how one fills out their W-4 (withholding form) or your country’s tax treaty.

Funding received via the fellowship system may be considered taxable, but is not subject to tax withholding by the University. An exception may be international students whose fellowship stipends are, by federal law, subject to tax withholding depending on the tax treaty status of their home country. For more detailed information, consult IRS Tax Information for Students.

Mandatory contribution: DCP (Defined Contribution Plan) is not a tax but a mandatory contribution to a self-directed investment account. This is administered by Fidelity Investments. DCP is refundable when you leave UCI employment for more than 30 days. You can roll the funds into an IRA or a retirement account, or you can request payment of funds to you. DCP should only be deducted if the student is enrolled in 6 units or less (during the summer). Students are encouraged to check their paychecks stubs monthly and report any discrepancies to Megan Enciso.

Graduate Student fees:

SON paid fees:

  • The SON processes fee payments quarterly for all students in good academic standing, in accordance with each student’s funding package. As funding information comes from many sources, fee payments often occur just before the fee payment deadline. Students must be enrolled in 12 units in order for fee payments to credit. The SON may request late fees be waived in situations that are not the fault of the student, however if the student fails to enroll on time or has charges on their account that cause fees not to be paid, the late fee is the responsibility of the student.

Student paid fees:

  • Student Services Fee: Per TA union contract, students must pay a small portion of fees when they are appointed as a TA.
  • Document Fee: This is a one-time document fee of $80 that is the student’s responsibility to pay. The Document Fee provides lifetime access to official transcripts and academic verifications without a fee for in-person pickup or delivery by USPS. In addition, there is no fee for mailing the initial diploma.
  • eTech Fees:  These fees are assessed when you enroll in undergraduate classes. The eTech fees are the student’s responsibility to pay. Detailed information can be found on the University Registrar’s Tuition and Fees webpage listed under Undergraduate Student Fees.

Resources for Students

Guide to Thrive

  • Books– Browse through the campus bookstore to view graduate textbook costs
  • Estimated Expenses and Fees– Check current tuition and fees
  • External Graduate Fellowships– List of external Fellowships for MEPN, DNP, and PhD students
  • External Undergraduate Scholarships – List of external Scholarships for BS students
  • Financial Aid– The financial aid office provides students and families with financial resources concerning student loans, grants and campus-wide scholarships
  • National Nursing Scholarships – A collection of Nursing Scholarships provided by Georgetown University, shared with permission
  • Nursing Scholarships – A number of nursing scholarships for current Juniors, Seniors, and MEPN students are distributed each year through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Please visit their website for application information. A DNP and PhD call for scholarship applications is sent out through the School of Nursing via email each summer.

    • Scholarships Application Periods

      Continuing Students: Applications for 2024-2025 academic year scholarships are open from January 1st – January 31st! Apply on ScholarshipUniverse at uci.scholarshipuniverse.com! Be sure to answer as many questions as possible to match to more scholarships!

      Prospective Students (Freshman and Transfer Students): Early 2024 (TBD)

      Scholarship Application Link: https://apply.admissions.uci.edu/portal/scholarships

CalFresh

CalFresh is a federal food assistance program (formerly known as food stamps) that provides supplementary income to purchase food from grocery stores through what is called an EBT card. You can get up to $204/month for groceries!

CalFresh Eligibility is as follows:

  • Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
  • Meet the income limit for your household
  • Be a currently enrolled student in the B.S., M.S. (MEPN), or Doctorate (DNP) in Nursing programs (The Ph.D program in Nursing is not eligible at this time)

CalFreshNursing Student Process (BS, MEPN, DNP):

    1. Submit the verification form to the School of Nursing: https://uci.questionpro.com/t/AaWyIZ1nab (turn around time 5-7 business days)
    2. Wait for School of Nursing Student Affairs to return to you a UCI Nursing CalFresh enrollment verification letter
    3. BS students – in your CalFresh application, include a screenshot of your DegreeWorks to show currently enrolled courses (must show your name and current courses). MEPN and DNP students – Student Affairs will send you a screenshot of your currently enrolled classes for you to include in your application.
    4. Watch the FreshHub webinar for Nursing students: https://bit.ly/nursing-calfresh and learn how to apply on your own OR book an appointment with a FreshHub staff member for help filling out the application: https://freshuci.as.me/calfreshzoomassistance
    5. If you have any questions, please email calfresh@uci.edu

How to view the schedule of classes

How to check for course prerequisites

How to enroll in classes

WebReg Tutorial

Student Access Tutorial