NEW STUDENT INFORMATION

• FAFSA: ALL DOMESTIC STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) FORM EACH YEAR. (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A FAFSA BEFORE THE START OF THEIR SECOND YEAR OF STUDY).
  The FAFSA is required for any student who receives fellowship funds and is highly recommended for all other students. Information submitted on the FAFSA is needed by the university in order to disperse certain funding. Sometimes a funding type will change at the last minute and if the funding source that it is changed to requires the FAFSA the funds will be on hold until the form is complete (could be up to 6 weeks). Having a FAFSA on file also allows student the option to consider loans if needed. To expedite the process we highly encourage that the FAFSA be completed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The application should be submitted no later than Aug. 31.
• FINANCIAL SUPPORT INFORMATION If you are receiving funding, make sure you know what type are you receiving (Fellowship Stipend or GSR/TA Employment Award). You should have already received correspondence from the Graduate Division or your Department explaining funding. If you have questions please contact the Student Affairs Officer for the program with which you are studying or call the office at 1(800) 735-0717.
  
  
  • Stipend - Stipend checks will be paid on the first of every month, starting Oct. 1 and ending June 1.
    
    Please note that students who are paid by a stipend during the academic year and then transition to GSR/TA employment for the summer will have a break in their checks; stipend checks are paid out in the beginning of the month and GSR/TA checks are paid out at the end of the month. The last stipend check of the academic year will be issued on June 1 and the first GSR/TA check of the summer will be issued on July 31, please plan your finances accordingly.
    
    
  • TA/GSR - Checks will be paid at the end of every month. The first pay check of the academic year will be paid on Oct. 31. Please see your Student Affairs Officer (link to BSGSAC Staff web page) for information on how to get on the payroll.
  • TAXES
    
    • Fellowship stipends are taxed at the end of the year.
    • TA and GSR checks are taxed monthly.
      
      **International students have the opportunity to find out about taxes at the International Services Center's yearly Tax Workshop, usually held in March. All International Students are highly encouraged to attend this workshop, as this will be the only opportunity to obtain crucial information in regards to filing taxes, which are due on April 15 each year. The International Services Center staff will be able to assist you to understand how to correctly file taxes.
      
      
• MAILING ADDRESS
  
  As soon as you arrive on campus and establish your housing you will need update your mailing address on the PAWS system (link to PAWS). It is very important that your mailing address information since all crucial information will be sent to this address, including your checks, if no mailing address is listed then all of your university related information will be mailed to your permanent mailing address.
  
  
  
• DIRECT DEPOSIT
  
  Upon your arrival, you may want to authorize a direct deposit (DD) of the fellowship stipends to your Riverside bank acct. Keep in mind that the first stipend will be mailed to whatever address we have in the system unless you are on direct deposit. DD forms are available on the web http://www.sbs.ucr.edu