Congratulations
on your admission to UC Riverside. We are very excited to have you
join the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering.
The following links go to important sites that will assist you in making the transition to graduate school:
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 August 31.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT -
Make sure you know which type of funding you are 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
Graduate Assistant.
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
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 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
the Payroll Assistant 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, which is
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 help you understand how to correctly file taxes.
MAILING ADDRESS - As soon as you arrive on campus and establish your
housing, you need update your mailing address on the
PAWS system.
It is very important that your mailing address information is correct,
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 bank account. 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 If you have any questions about any of
the above items please contact the Graduate Assistant.
Please visit the 
