If you have a question about your funding, please contact: Morgan Sibley (msibley@uci.edu) or set up an appointment via Microsoft Bookings.

UCI Department of Chemistry graduate student salary payment schedules are listed below. Please note these schedules include several payment scenarios and each individual situation is different.

General Funding Information:

UC Policy states students can only hold up to 50% appointments during the academic year. As a result, the Department of Chemistry may pay a higher rate in the months of July and August to reach the annual chemistry graduate student salary. 

The academic year runs October 1st through September 30th. If a student receives their full amount of funding by the end of August, they may not be entitled to compensation for September. This is sometimes the case when students are Summer Session TAs or receive other forms of higher compensation during the summer months.

It is the student's responsibility to report any variation in payment (other than slight adjustments in pay day or net income due to withholding). While we make every effort to process pay accurately, mistakes do happen. Please always confirm receipt of funds before spending and bring any inconsistencies to the attention of Department staff immediately. Students will be held responsible in cases of payment overages.

Pay Day:

The Department tries to set up all paychecks to pay in arrears. For example, if you work the month of October you will be paid November 1st. If you are paid via the fellowship system you will likely be paid a week prior to the 1st of the month. As a graduate student, you will be switched between the fellowship and payroll systems without notification. It is important to never plan to receive your paycheck before the 1st of the month. If you do not receive your paycheck on the 1st please contact: Morgan Sibley (msibley@uci.edu). 

Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Teaching Assistant appointments (TA):

Students are paid via payroll for Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Teaching Assistant appointments (TA). UCI transitioned to a new payroll system called UCPath effective January 2020, see the UCPath Student Employee Fact Sheet for additional information. 

Teaching Assistant salaries are determined by union contract and summer payments will be higher to compensate for TA appointments.

If you pay student fees during the academic year as a result of your TA appointment, reimbursement is included in your compensation plan. You can see employment options 2-8 for specific examples.

Fellowships and Training Grants:

Students on Fellowships and Training grants are typically paid via the fellowship system. These payments are set up to pay at the end of each month, however the fellowship system often pays early.

Students on external fellowships and training grants often have different payment schedules based on agency requirements.

Students are encouraged to seek extramural funding. Students will receive either the amount of their extramural funding or the department standard rate, whichever is greater. Unless the funding specifically states otherwise, students are not entitled to receive both awards.

In order to receive a fellowship payment students must complete an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or tax form (Glacier) depending on their citizenship status. FAFSAs must be completed once each calendar year.

  • Set up direct deposit for fellowship payments through your Zot Account  
    • To receive payments from your Zot Account (including refunds and financial aid disbursements), access DEFT by clicking the “Electronic Refunds” link in the navigation sidebar. Financial aid recipients are required to select a delivery option prior to disbursement with mail becoming the default option when no selection is made. 
    • Choose “Electronic Fund Transfer” for direct deposits to your bank account, or “Paper Check” for postal mail delivery. Complete the requested information carefully. DEFT does not verify your banking information with your bank before attempting a direct deposit. You will receive a message confirming your choice at your UCI e-mail address.
    • Additional information can be found on the Finacial Services website - Direct Deposit
  • See Additional information on the UCI Financial Aid and Scholarships website – Getting My Aid / Disbursements Dates.
  • Tax information for fellowship recipients is provided on form 1098-T, for further information see: https://fs.uci.edu/tax-information/1098-T-Information.php

Taxes and Withholding:

Funding received via payroll is subject to withholding but what is deducted depends on how one fills out their W-4 (withholding form) or your country's tax treaty. International students are required to complete their Glacier record so their withholding can be determined. To eliminate the need to update Glacier records quarterly, international students should indicate that they are an employee receiving compensation wages and a student receiving fellowship recipient. The purpose of Glacier is to determine the withholding status of each type of payment when it is made, if no such payment is being made, then no withholdings will be applicable.

Funding received via the fellowship system may be considered taxable, but is not subject to tax withholding by the University. An exception may be international students whose fellowship stipends are, by federal law, subject to tax withholding depending on the tax treaty status of their home country. For more detailed information, consult IRS Tax Information for Students.

Mandatory contribution: DCP (Defined Contribution Plan) is not a tax but a mandatory contribution to a self-directed investment account. This is administered by Fidelity Investments. DCP is refundable when you leave UCI employment for more than 30 days. You can roll the funds into an IRA or a retirement account, or you can request payment of funds to you. DCP should only be deducted if the student is enrolled in 6 units or less (during the summer). Students are encouraged to check their paychecks stubs monthly and report any discrepancies to Morgan Sibley (msibley@uci.edu).

Graduate Student fees:

Department paid fees:

  • The Department of Chemistry processes fee payments quarterly for all students in good academic standing. As funding information comes from many sources, fee payments often occur just before the fee payment deadline. Students must be enrolled in 12 units in order for fee payments to credit. The department may request late fees be waived in situations that are not the fault of the student, however if the student fails to enroll on time or has charges on their account that cause fees not to be paid, the late fee is the responsibility of the student.

Student paid fees:

  • Student Services Fee: Per TA union contract, students must pay a small portion of fees when they are appointed as a TA, however they are reimbursed as part of their overall funding (please refer to funding schedule). 
  • Document Fee: This is a one-time document fee of $80 that is the student’s responsibility to pay. The Document Fee provides lifetime access to official transcripts and academic verifications without a fee for in-person pickup or delivery by USPS. In addition, there is no fee for mailing the initial diploma. 
  • eTech Fees:  These fees are assessed when you enroll in undergraduate classes. The eTech fees are the student’s responsibility to pay. Detailed information can be found on the University Registrar’s Tuition and Fees webpage listed under Undergraduate Student Fees.