Undergraduate Part-Time Program

The Part-Time Program is designed for regularly matriculated undergraduate students who for reasons of employment, family responsibilities, or health are not able to carry the full course load of 15 credits each quarter. The enrollment system restricts enrollment for students in the Part-Time Program to no more than 10 credits per quarter. Students approved for part-time status are eligible for a 50 percent reduction in the Tuition Fee and, if applicable, a 50 percent reduction in the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition portions of quarterly fees. Please note that this reduction does not extend to other quarterly fees, and students who use the part-time reduction may not also use the UCSC Reduced Fee Program for UC employees.

• If you work, you must be employed a minimum of 25 hours per week to qualify. Submit a letter from your employer on letterhead stationery verifying the number of hours you work at a permanent job. If you work on campus, the letter must come from the HR Service Team for the department. If you are self-employed or employed by a family member: you must have been employed at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter; your documentation must include a description of your job responsibilities, copies of your tax return, and a monthly calendar/appointment book showing hours worked.
• If you have family responsibilities, submit your dependent’s birth certificate(s). If caring for a member of the family for medical reasons: provide documentation from the family member's doctor identifying you (the student) as the primary caregiver and describing the care and duration of care you are providing.
• If you have a medical condition, bring verification from your doctor recommending that you take a reduced course load because of your serious or sustained illness or injury.
• If you are in your final quarter before graduation, apply to graduate on myucsc.edu and submit a University Part-Time Final Quarter Approval form (requires college and department(s) signatures). Part-time final quarter approval may be granted only once.

Part-Time Deadlines

Fall Quarter 2011 Fees
Fees are subject to change through action by the UC Regents

Winter Quarter 2012 Fees
Fees are subject to change through action by the UC Regents

Spring Quarter 2012 Fees
Fees are subject to change through action by the UC Regents

Frequently Asked Questions

If I cannot meet the requirements for the Part-Time Program, but want to take a reduced course load, do I need to notify anyone?
Your college academic preceptor will need to approve your reduced course load; however, no reduction in fees will apply.

Does part-time status affect my financial aid?
Yes! If you currently receive or plan to receive financial aid, we will notify the financial aid staff. Once your application has been approved, your financial aid package will be adjusted for the remainder of the academic year. If you cancel your part-time status and enroll in a full-time course load at any time during the year, your aid will be revised only as funding permits. If you have questions about how part-time enrollment affects your award, call the Financial Aid Office at (831) 459-2963.

I was billed as a full-time student. If I am approved for the Part-Time Program, will I receive a revised billing statement?
No. Statements are printed on the last working day of each month. When your Part-Time Program application is approved, your fees will be adjusted and will be viewable via MyUCSC.

How much do I have to pay by the deadline if I am applying for the Part-Time Program?
If you file a Part-Time Program application before the registration fee payment deadline and your application is approved, you may pay the part-time fees as shown in the chart above. Otherwise, pay the full registration fees by the deadline. If you are later approved for the Part-Time Program, a refund will be sent to you. For payment plan information contact the Office of Student Business Services at (831) 459-2107, or see http://sbs.ucsc.edu/

How can I return to full-time status?
If you intend to enroll in more than 10 credits or petition for credit, you must complete a Cancellation form. The Cancellation of Part-Time Program form is available at http://reg.ucsc.edu/students/part-time_form.html. Once the form is filed, you are assessed the balance of the Educational Fee and Nonresident Tuition, if applicable, and you may enroll in up to 19 credits. The Financial Aid office is also notified of your enrollment status change and your aid package will be revised as funding permits.

If I take a leave of absence, will I still be in the Part-time Program when I return?
No. After a break in attendance, you must re-apply to the Part-Time Program with one exception: if you are in the program fall quarter and take a leave winter quarter, we will assume you plan to be part-time in the spring. Contact your college for more information about leave of absence.

Revised 6/9/11.