Financial Aid and Scholarships
Source: https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/work-study/graduate Parent: https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/work-study/employers/on-campus
Graduate Student Researchers
Graduate student researchers
Financial Aid and Scholarships, in collaboration with Graduate Studies and individual academic departments, administers work-study funds to graduate students based on need. The Federal government pays for a percentage of the costs of graduate student research, or GSR, employment. Federal Work-Study is available for students eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA. The FAFSA must be completed annually to be considered. In the School of Education, only Ph.D. students are eligible for work-study.
There is a limited number of Federal Work-Study units available to graduate students at the University, so even if you are eligible, your program may not have units available. GSR work-study funds are available for use from October 1 through June 30 of the current award year.
Eligibility for graduate student researchers
| Student | Federal Work-Study | Institutional work-study | Graduate student researcher | On-campus employer | Off-campus employer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate student | yes | no | yes | yes | no |
To be eligible for work-study, a graduate student must:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, annually by the priority filing date
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be identified as eligible for graduate work-study by your academic department
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP
- Work with your academic program coordinator to inquire about being hired and awarded a graduate student researcher, or GSR, work-study position. Academic program staff, in conjunction with faculty, hire the GSRs and notify students when work-study awards are posted online.
For additional information regarding eligibility criteria, please contact your academic program coordinator.
[### Mandatory GSR Time Record
Graduate Student Researchers are required to complete TWO time records: one for University payroll and one for work-study compliance.](https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk2561/files/media/documents/GSR%20Monthly%20Timesheet%20v3.pdf)
Graduate Researcher News
The Color Lab Uncovers the Soothing Effects of Light
- by Greg Watry
-
July 28, 2025
Is there an opportunity for us to use lighting as a medium to relieve human stress?
Seed Grants for International Activities
- by Global Affairs
-
November 21, 2024
Global Affairs provides Seed Grants for International Activities to faculty.
Catalyzing Change: Engineering Enzymes to Meet Human Needs
- by José Vadi
-
October 23, 2024
Program Equips Researchers to Innovate in Food, Energy, and Health.