SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND FINANCIAL AID

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Fifteen quarters of full-time attendance is the maximum period during which you may receive financial aid for a first baccalaureate degree. However, the academic preceptor at your college must approve enrollment beyond 12 quarters of attendance. Transfer and other credits may reduce your number of quarters at UCSC.

Your college advisers can help you calculate your status and file an extension of enrollment petition if necessary. 

You must also meet UCSC other academic progress requirements, these are described in UCSC Undergraduate Handbook The Navigator. 

Extending Enrollment

If you think there are mitigating circumstances that prevent you from completing your degree within the specified time frame, you can appeal for an extension of financial aid. You must petition the Financial Aid Office if you wish to extend your financial aid after 15 quarters, or the equivalent, of enrollment.

Note that this process is separate from a college's approval of extended enrollment. To appeal for an extension of financial aid eligibility beyond fifteen quarters of enrollment, you must submit the following to the Financial Aid Office:

• A written appeal explaining your reasons for needing the extension. 
• A Petition to Extend Enrollment, which has been approved by your college. (Your college's approval of your Petition to Extend Enrollment is required, but it does not constitute extension of financial aid eligibility.) 

Additional information regarding the undergraduate extension appeal process.

Graduate Students

If you are a graduate student, the number of years for which you may be eligible for financial support varies according to your degree program.

• Graduate Certificate students have one calendar year of eligibility.
• Master's degree students have 3 calendar years and
• PhD students have 7 calendar years of full-time enrollment before their financial support eligibility expires, (4 years without advancing to candidacy and 3 years after advancing).

You must also meet all other UCSC academic progress requirements as described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Extending Enrollment

If you think there are mitigating circumstances that prevent you from completing your degree within the specified time frame, your financial aid may be extended if your written appeal to the Dean of Graduate Studies established that you encountered extenuating circumstances that hindered your academic progress and is approved.

Additional information regarding the graduate extension appeal process.