In July 2021, the Regents approved the UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) Systemwide Fee, which is an annual fee of $7 per graduate and professional student that students can choose to manually opt out of.
Funds from these fees help support the UC Graduate and Professional Council, which advocates on behalf of all current and prospective graduate and professional students’ interests at the University and the state and federal levels. The fee went into effect in Fall 2023.
FAQs About the UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) Fee
What Does It Mean to Opt-Out?
Once a student has elected to opt out of the fee, their opt-out status will remain in effect for the duration of their graduate or professional career at the campus.
What Happens If I Transfer to a Different UC or Start A New Program?
Students will not be required to opt out of the fee for each term or academic year at the same university but will be required to do so again when beginning at a new UC campus.
What If I Want to Opt Back In?
Students may elect to reverse their opt-out status and begin paying the fee again. This decision will take effect at the start of the next academic term.
When is the Deadline to Opt-Out?
Students must opt out before the end of the fifth week of instruction.
What If I Miss the Opt-Out Deadline?
Students who do not opt out of the fee by the opt-out deadline will be billed $3.50 for that term. The opt-out will take effect for the subsequent terms.
Where Can I Learn More?
More information about the UCGPC fee is available on the UCGPC website at UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) Systemwide Fee. You can also read more about systemwide fees at the UC Office of the President.
Changing Your Status in CalCentral
A task in CalCentral allows students to opt in or opt out of these student association fees.
To change your status:
- In CalCentral, go to My Dashboard.
- In the Tasks card, find the task called UC Graduate and Professional Council Fee. The task may either be under the Incomplete tab, or under the Completed tab in the Student Tasks section.
- Open the task. Choose to either “opt-in” or “opt-out.”
In CalCentral, the task is labeled the UC Graduate/Prof’l Council Fee. The page provides information about the fee, which is an optional fee of $7.00 per year ($3.50 per semester) charged to student accounts. It states that students can opt out before the end of the 5th week of the semester, and links to the UCGPC website and the Office of the Registrar website for more details. The page provides the option to “Return,” “Opt-Out,” and “Opt-In.” Image source: Office of the Registrar.
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