Financial Verification

Proof of funding demonstrating the ability to pay for estimated education and living expenses in the U.S., including for dependents, will be required by the International Students and Scholars (ISS) Office to issue an I-20 or DS-2019 form for an F-1 or J-1 visa. For more information on acceptable proof of funds, visit the ISS Get Prepared for UCR page.

If you are admitted, your electronic offer package will specify details regarding graduate student support or employment. During the application process, only those with an external sponsor, such as your government, organization/agency, or employer, should provide an award letter outlining the terms of your sponsorship to the graduate program to which you are applying. Graduate funding is merit-based; indicating that you have a sponsor will not exclude you from consideration for that funding. Those with personal (self-support), family, or individual support will be asked to provide sponsorship information in your graduate I-20 form. 

Please note that fellowships are typically not provided to Master's students unless noted on the program's website. Unless you have been officially notified in writing of an award from the Dean of the Graduate Division, you should not expect any financial support from UCR. Teaching and research assistantships, fellowships and stipends, as well as tuition fellowships, are not guaranteed for the full academic year or subsequent years of study unless stated in writing.

Cost of Attendance

Total required fees and expenses are estimated at US$57,566.72 per academic calendar year (this figure is subject to change). This amount is for the student alone. This estimate includes $34,041.72 for fees for three quarters and an updated $23,525.00 for basic living expenses for the nine-month academic year only. All fees are subject to change without notice. Married students must verify an additional US$5,400 if accompanied by a spouse and another US$3,600 for each child that requires a visa to enter the US. Opportunities for university financial assistance are limited. The University will NOT issue a certificate of eligibility (Form I-20 or DS2019) unless you provide evidence of your ability to pay all required fees and expenses for the duration of your program. In some cases, American embassies and consulates will not grant you a student visa unless you can provide proof of adequate funding for the entire stay.

For applicants interested in our professional graduate programs, please look at the table below for the total required fees and expenses for the student alone. Additional dependents will follow the above-noted dependent expenses.

Visa Procedures & Visa Types Issued

U.S. Immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of their study at UCR and that a sponsor is committed to their financial support beyond this date. This must be proved before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) for a visa can be issued by the International Students and Scholars office.  The I-20 form is issued to admitted applicants who are qualified, for an F-1 (student) visa. The DS2019 form is issued to admitted applicants who are qualified for a J-1 visa. J-1 (exchange visitor) status is appropriate for students whose programs of study are substantially funded by the U.S. government, their home government, and international or nonprofit organization, or UCR.

A student on a student visa cannot accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year in the U.S. Spouses of F-1 visa holders (F-2) are not allowed to work under any circumstances.