The authority to hire Academic Graduate Students is delegated to the Program Chairs, Directors and Deans. It is the responsibility of the hiring unit to verify the eligibility of student employees and to appoint students in accordance with the UC Davis Academic Personnel Manual. 

Hiring departments should follow the steps below to appoint a graduate student employee. Administrators should be aware of deadlines for fee payment and input of student appointments into the Payroll system.

1. Confirm available funding for student appointment and remission for the period of appointment.
2. Confirm student eligibility.
3. If necessary, complete the appropriate Petition for Exception to Policy and obtain approval.
4. Notify student of appointment by sending the Notification Letter, including any Supplemental Documentation:
   • ASE Appointment Notification Letter / ASE Supplemental Document
   • GSR Appointment Notification Letter / GSR Supplemental Document
   The written notice of appointment shall specify the beginning and ending dates of the appointment.
5.  Submit case to department's designated service center (ex. AUSSC)

Eligibility Verification

To ensure student eligibility, the employing department should use the Graduate Student Eligibility Checklist. The checklist should be completed quarterly to ensure continued student eligibility. Once completed, the form is kept on file in the employing department. If the student requires an exception in order to hold employment, the home department submits an exception to Graduate Studies for approval.

Exception to Policy

The hiring department completes the Petition for Exception to Policy (PEP) making sure to provide adequate academic justification explaining the reason for the exception. Department submits to Graduate Studies for approval. If approved, department will receive notification and may proceed with the hiring process.

If hiring a student over 50% based on departmental need, complete the Petition for Exception to Policy for Graduate Student Employment Above 50%.  The hiring department submits to Graduate Studies for approval.  If approved, department will receive notification and may proceed with the hiring process.

Tuition and Fee Remission

Learn more about the policy and implementation procedures for remission of tuition and fees for eligible graduate student employees.

Temporary Extension of the 18 Quarter Rule

On Friday, June 19, UC Provost Michael Brown announced a temporary extension of  the total length of service for academic student employees (ASE) up to 21 quarters, for matriculated students during the quarters in which instruction is substantially impacted by COVID-19. This means that all matriculated students in Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 (and perhaps beyond, "should these conditions persist") can receive permission to extend their total length of service to a maximum of 21 quarters at any point in the future. 

For example, a Fall 2020 incoming PhD student who starts their first ASE appointment until 2022-2023 will likely not reach their 18 quarter service limit until 2028-2029, but they would still be able to request additional quarters (up to 21) of ASE appointments because the student was a "matriculated student at UC during the quarters/semesters in which instruction is substantially impacted by COVID-19."