Undergraduate Part-Time Program

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.

The submission deadline for the Part-Time Program application can be found below under Part-Time Deadlines. The billing deadline can also be found below under Undergraduate Registration Fees. Our office strongly encourages paying your billing in full, and waiting for tuition to be adjusted. Alternatively, you may pay 50 percent of your tuition and all fees, in expectation of that adjustment, or pay after your tuition has adjusted.

If you receive financial aid, your part-time status will change your aid package.  Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office.


Applying for the Part-Time Program

Starting fall 2023 students will be able to apply for the university's Part-Time Program by following the below steps:

  • Log into MyUCSC ("Full Site Login" for mobile devices)
  • Select the Undergraduate Student eForms tile on the Student Homepage
  • Select the Part-Time Application

You must submit the application AND documentation verifying your eligibility by the deadline posted below.

  • If you work, you must be employed a minimum of 25 hours per week to qualify. Use the Part-Time Employment DocuSign form verifying the number of hours you work at a permanent job. If you work on campus, the letter must be routed 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, use the Part-Time Medical DocuSign form to provide 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. part-time final quarter approval may be granted only once.  

Cancelling the Part-Time Program

If you intend to enroll in more than 10 credits or petition for credit, you must complete a Cancellation of Part-Time Program application form. Once the cancellation application is submitted, 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. To cancel your part-time program application follow the below steps:

  • Log into MyUCSC ("Full Site Login" for mobile devices)
  • Select the Undergraduate Student eForms tile on the Student Homepage
  • Select the Part-Time Application.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, go to frequently asked questions about the Part-Time Program.

Part-Time Deadlines

The deadline for the Part-Time Program is the last day to apply for the current term. If students have not applied for the Part-Time Program before the fee deadline, they should pay fees in full and will receive any appropriate refund after their Part-Time Program application is processed. Financial aid may impact expected refunds. The deadlines below are application submission deadlines, not processing deadlines.

Fall 2024 Winter 2025 Spring 2025
October 16 January 24 April 18

Undergraduate Registration Fees

Deadlines for paying your undergraduate registration fees in full. All students are considered full-time unless they apply and qualify for the university part-time program. Students who enroll in fewer than 12 credits and do not apply and qualify for the part-time program are considered full-time and pay full-time tuition. 

Fall 2024 Winter 2024 Spring 2025
September 18 December 18 March 25

Part-Time Fees

Fees are subject to change through action by the UC Regents.

 Charges are subject to change without notice. Some or all instruction for all or part of the Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and 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. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

Archive of past year's part-time fees.

Revised: 08/27/24