New Graduate Students
Congratulations and welcome to Baskin Engineering at UC Santa Cruz! We’re here to support you throughout your first year as a graduate student.
Important dates upon arrival
International students who will be physically present in the U.S. must complete the mandatory Visa Check-in online.
Visit the Division of Graduate Studies for information on the mandatory international student, campus-wide new graduate student, and TA orientations.
TA/GSR payroll signups: You will receive payroll signup instructions once your first employment position at UCSC is set up. If you are working as a TA or GSR in the fall quarter, your payroll signup will take place during that time. For students on fellowship, payroll signups will occur in later quarters.
Check the UCSC Academic and Administrative Calendar for class start dates.
Navigating UCSC
ID card services
This should be your first stop as a BE graduate student. ID Card Services is located on the second floor of the Bay Tree Campus Store.
Building access
Once you obtain your UCSC student ID card, you will need to submit a request for any buildings or rooms you will need access to.
Computer support
The ITS Service Desk is your single point of contact for all issues, problems, or questions related to technology services and computing at UCSC.
Computer usage policies
All BE computer users need to be familiar with the computer usage policies of UCSC.
Academic calendar
Important graduate student-related dates and deadlines.
Graduate Division
Graduate student handbook, forms, resources, and upcoming events.
Enrollment
MyUCSC
Online registration will be done through the MyUCSC student portal. The first time you access this registration process you will be asked for your student ID number and password.
Enrollment FAQs
For help enrolling in a class, visit the enrollment FAQs on the registrar’s website.
Graduate student advising
For questions or help with course selections, speak with your faculty advisor or contact your departmental graduate student advisor.
Independent study
Unless otherwise instructed by your department, all students planning to enroll in an independent studies/thesis research course must submit a petition signed by your faculty advisor to the BE Grad Advising Office in order to receive a course number by email.
Online schedule of classes
Information about courses, registration, enrollment information, and more.
Payroll
BE Academic Payroll
The BE Academic Payroll team supports the division’s academic student hiring, onboarding, and payroll. Please direct your payroll and job onboarding questions directly to your department’s payroll analyst. Navigate to BE Academic Payroll for information on office hours and payroll contact information.
Appointment Onboarding and I-9 Acceptable Documents
If you receive a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR), GSR Fellow, GSR Trainee, Associate Instructor, Teaching Fellow, or a Teaching Assistant (TA) appointment, you must fill out the necessary payroll paperwork, including the Federal Form I-9, before beginning work and to get paid.
The BE Academic Payroll Analyst supporting your appointment will contact you regarding your onboarding and the required actions and paperwork. See the I-9 Acceptable Documents list to learn more about documents that you must present to BE Academic Payroll in person to complete the Federal Form I-9. Go to BE Academic Payroll for information on office hours and payroll contact information.
Social Security Number (SSN) Information
An SSN is required for everyone who works in the U.S. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number valid for life, issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). All students and scholars lawfully employed in the U.S. are required to apply in person for an SSN. There is no provision in the law that requires you to have an SSN before you start work. However, you and your employers are required to report wages using an SSN for taxation purposes.
The BE Academic Payroll Analyst supporting your appointment can issue you the ISSP Social Security Authorization Letter Request Form that you will subsequently upload to the iGlobal portal. Navigate to Social Security Number (SSN) Information for detailed instructions. Once you have your SSN, you must update your records in the UCPath portal. For instructions and video guides, go to You and UCPath.
UCPath (payroll system) and CruzPay (timesheet system)
After you complete your onboarding and your appointment is entered and active in UCPath, UC’s payroll system, you will have access to the UCPath portal to sign up for payroll direct deposit, view your paycheck, update personal information, and more. For instructions and video guides, go to You and UCPath.
You will also get access to CruzPay, UC’s online time reporting system. Please visit CruzPay for quick-start guides and more. Contact the BE Academic Payroll Analyst supporting your appointment if you have any questions about completing your timesheet.
Housing and transportation
Housing services
Housing services provides general housing information, including resources for off-campus housing and family student housing.
TAPS
Information regarding parking permits can be obtained from Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). There are alternative transportation services available including campus shuttles, carpools, vanpools, and Zipcar.
Out-of-state and international students
Establishing residency
Domestic students from out-of-state must establish California residency at the end of the first year (or before fall quarter of the second year) in order to avoid out-of-state tuition assessment in subsequent years in the program. If you do not establish California residency, you will be responsible to pay the non-resident tuition if your funding source does not cover this.
International student services and programming
Find all the resources you need as a new or returning international student, including Visas, I-20/DS-2019 requests, what to do upon arrival in the U.S., and more.
International student handbook
Use this handbook during your arrival and transition to UCSC. Find information on entering the U.S., health services and immunization requirements, transportation, housing, driver’s licenses, local events and activities, and more.
SSN information
If you are an international student, you must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to complete the payroll sign-up. However, you do not need to have your SSN prior to your appointment with the BE payroll analyst. This step can be completed after your initial sign-up.