UC Davis has Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) fellowship programs developed to offset the cost of NRST for continuing international academic graduate students: The Supplemental International PhD NRST Allocation Program, the UCOP NRST Waiver Program, and the UC Davis NRST Fellowship Program.
Which Students Are Charged NRST?
| Student Type | Charged NRST? | Conditions |
| US Citizen or Permanent Resident w/ CA Residency | Never | None |
| AB540 | Never | None |
US Citizen or Permanent Resident but not initially a CA Resident Masters or PhD | First Year | Must establish CA Residency during first year |
| Non-US Citizen Master’s | Every quarter of enrollment | None |
| Non-US Citizen PhD | Until advancement and then again starting on the 10th quarter after advancement. | Starting on the 10th quarter after advancement, UCD Post-Candidacy fellowship will pay the NRST for 6 quarters. |
Pre-candidacy NRST Fellowship Program
Prior to the UCOP NRST Waiver period, international PhD/MFA students are charged NRST until they advance to candidacy. To offset the NRST charge during this time frame, UC Davis offers a non-competitive fellowship program—the Pre-candidacy Nonresident Supplemental Tuition Fellowship Program—intended to mitigate the NRST challenge during the second and third years prior to advancement to candidacy. Eligible students may receive a non-competitive fellowship to offset the cost of NRST with the goal of leveling the NRST cost between US and international PhD/MFA students. Information about this program is provided annually directly to eligible students.
Pre-candidacy NRST Fellowship Program FAQ:
- Will there be any changes to the Graduate Program Fellowship Allocation (GPFA) or Masters Enrollment Incentive Program (MEIP)?
- No changes to GPFA or MEIP.
- How is a student impacted if they do not advance to candidacy before their 10th quarter?
- The transition to a direct fellowship program does not change how the student’s NRST is treated if they do not advance by their 9th quarter. Their 10th quarter (and later) NRST was not rebated under the Supplemental PhD NRST Allocation Program and it will not be covered by the new pre-candidacy fellowship program. Graduate Programs are allowed to cover this cost with their available fellowship funds.
- How will this transition impact the GSR Buydown Program?
- The GSR Buydown program reduces the cost of employment remission for Graduate Student Researchers funded on external faculty grants and is not impacted by this transition.
- Does the new Pre-candidacy NRST Fellowship program impact the GSR NRST Remission process?
- GSR remission will continue to take priority over the fellowship. If an eligible student receives NRST remission through a qualifying GSR appointment, the Pre-Candidacy NRST Fellowship will not be posted for that student.
- What fellowship funding sources take priority over the new Pre-candidacy NRST Fellowship?
- Besides the previously mentioned GSR remission, external fellowships that include NRST, sponsorships that include NRST, and Internal Fellowships that include NRST will take priority over the new Pre-candidacy Fellowship.
- How are the students’ fourth through ninth quarters calculated?
- Students are eligible in their fourth through ninth quarters from their original quarter of enrollment. Students who go on a planned educational leave (PELP) or otherwise withdraw from the university do not have an expanded timeline for this program. Quarters are counted from the first active quarter of enrollment at UC Davis, even if the first quarter of enrollment was in a Master’s program or alternate PhD program. Students enrolled in part-time status (6 units) must have an approved Student Disability Center accommodation and provide the letter to receive the funds while in this enrollment status. Students enrolled in less than 6 units regardless of an accommodation cannot receive funds.
Each Graduate Program's individual allocation is activated in Banner and may be used for Graduate Fellowships: Stipend, Tuition & Fees, and/or NRST.
UCOP NRST Waiver Program
Per the authority and practices of the University of California, Office of the President (UCOP), NRST is automatically waived for international doctoral students for the first three calendar years (nine academic quarters) post-candidacy. Information regarding the UCOP Waiver of Nonresident Supplemental Tuition for doctoral students for the first three years post-candidacy can be found in the November 16, 2005 Minutes of the Committee on Finance, The Regents of the University of California (see pages 2 and 15) and in the UCOP Budget Analysis and Planning document.
UC Davis Post-Candidacy NRST Fellowship Program
After the UCOP NRST Waiver period, international doctoral students are again charged NRST until they complete their degrees. To offset the NRST charge during this time frame, UC Davis offers a non-competitive fellowship program—the Post-candidacy Nonresident Supplemental Tuition Fellowship Program—intended to mitigate the NRST challenge during the fourth and fifth years after advancement to candidacy. Eligible students may receive a non-competitive fellowship to offset the cost of NRST so that they are able to complete their degrees in a timely manner without the added pressure of the NRST expense. Information about this program is provided annually directly to eligible students.
GSR Buy-Down Program
As part of our continuing effort to improve graduate student support at UC Davis, the Provost allocates funds to partially buy-down Tuition & Fees and Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST) for GSRs supported on extramural sources. Under the GSR Buy-Down Program, the campus pays 25% of the Tuition & Fees and NRST for a GSR appointment paid by certain extramural funds; the balance is charged to the extramural contract or grant. For details on the buy-down process, including which extramural award types are included in the program, visit Accounting and Financial Services. (Please note: the Finance & Business website has not been updated for Aggie Enterprise.)
Effective fall 2014, the Buy-Down Program was expanded: 100% of the NRST for pre-candidacy, 2nd & 3rd year, international, PhD and MFA students who are supported by a qualifying extramural GSR appointment is rebated by central funds. NRST remission for students who qualify for the expanded buydown program is charged to account 508132 (2nd 3rd Yr NRST Remission) and the 100% rebate posts to account 508139 (Grad Student Campus Rebate). To determine which quarters a student is eligible for the expanded NRST buydown, see the "2/3 yr Intl Phd:" indicator on their ZGASTDN banner screen.
NRST Cost for an International PhD Student
For the example below, the student has Advanced to Candidacy in their ninth quarter of enrollment which activates the UCOP NRST Waiver Program for three calendar years.
