UCSB strives to ensure a smooth transition for our international graduate students. The Graduate Division and the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) work together to promote student success and intercultural engagement. We offer social events, informational workshops, and consultations with the International Graduate Student Peer Advisor. We also encourage students to utilize the international student support groups at UCSB’s Counseling & Psychological Services, as well as 24/7 online support through the International Student Support Program.
Getting Started
Key People
Dee Dee Hong, International Graduate Peer Advisor
Internationalpeer@graddiv.ucsb.edu
Other Graduate Division Staff and Peers
OISS Staff
(Office of International Students and Scholars)
International Graduate Student Resources
Career and Professional Development
UCSB is deeply committed to providing excellent career and professional development support to international graduate students. Students have direct access to over 100 annual professional development events provided by the Graduate Student Resource Center and Career Services. International grad students can also benefit from personalized career consultations, tutorials on OPT and CPT offered by OISS, the International Graduate Student Career Guide, and career exploration opportunities at the Beyond Academia conference.
Academic, Writing, and Teaching Services
UCSB offers a world-class education with specialized services to enrich the academic experiences of international students. Take advantage of our Graduate Academic Counselor Ryan Sims who offers one-on-one appointments and referrals to on-campus resources. The English for Multilingual Students program also provides courses in writing and oral skills for English language learners, and Instructional Development provides training to international teaching assistants on pedagogy and academic norms in the United States.
Funding and Financial Support
There is a range of campus funding support available for international graduate students, such as departmental block grants, teaching and researching assistantships, and on-campus employment. Extramural funding is available through academic fellowships, research grants, conference support, and more. When experiencing a financial crisis, students also have access to the Financial Crisis Response Team. The OISS Financial Resources page also features information and links to financial resources, including the International Student Award assists students who are experiencing economic hardship during the course of their studies at UCSB. Our Funding Peer Advisor also offers Finding Funding workshops that are specifically geared towards International Students which you can find on the GSRC Shoreline page. For reference, download a Sample Funding List for International Students to get an idea of funding opportunities. NOTE: Most offerings for international students are usually focused on the research and not degree program.
General Information on Taxes for International Graduate Students
The Graduate Division has put together a list of resources on tax information for graduate students, and an additional set of links for international graduate students. You can also find more information on OISS's website. Please refer to these documents to answer your general questions about taxes.
Additionally, the Graduate Student Resource Center offers regular workshops on tax information for graduate students. You can view resources from this workshop, including slides and a recording
GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP)
The UCSB Graduate Division has purchased a limited number of GLACIER Tax Prep (GTP) licenses so that our international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are classified as nonresident aliens for tax purposes can get free access to assistance with filing their U.S. federal tax return. Please note that GTP may only be used to file a federal tax return. If you need to file a state tax return (which GTP can help you determine), you may choose to do so for a fee through services such as Sprintax.
The information below is intended to provide general guidance and answers to common questions about GTP, but it is important to note that the Graduate Division is not able to provide tax advice. If you have questions about your unique tax situation, please use the Help link provided via GTP (if you are eligible and have access) or contact a tax professional. For more information about how alien tax status is determined, visit the IRS website
GLACIER Tax Prep (or GTP) is an online tax return preparation system that can be used by nonresident aliens (NRAs). GTP is different from GLACIER, which is a tax compliance system that is also utilized by our university. Both GLACIER and GTP are owned by Arctic International. Please note that GTP may only be used to file a federal tax return. If you need to file a state tax return (which GTP can help you determine), you may choose to do so for a fee through services such as Sprintax.
GTP is only for use by nonresident aliens (NRAs). (To find out more about alien tax status, visit the IRS website.) Individuals may pay to access the system, or an institution can purchase licenses that they then distribute to NRAs affiliated with their institution. UCSB's Graduate Division has purchased a limited number of Glacier Tax Prep (GTP) licenses so that our international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are classified as nonresident aliens for tax purposes can access assistance with filing their U.S. federal tax return. Access codes are distributed directly through GTP via an automated email system.
Before NRAs can access GTP, UCSB must first issue all of its Forms 1042-S, which are documents for Foreign Persons with U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. This typically happens around the end of February. (Note: Depending on residency status determination, not all international students and scholars receive a 1042-S.) After all Forms 1042-S are issued, eligible individuals will be sent their GTP access codes via email, most likely in early March. If you think you may be entitled to a GTP access code and have not received one by March 15, please email Shawn Warner. If you think you should have received a Form 1042-S, or other relevant tax form from UCSB, please contact your hiring department.
If it is determined that you are eligible, you will receive an automatically generated email from GTP with your unique access code. This email will also contain detailed instructions about how to use GTP and where to direct questions about the software.
All inquiries must be submitted online through GTP's help link. If you are having trouble accessing GTP, click the appropriate link on the login page to access assistance.
GTP is also offering a series of live information sessions to those who would like more information about federal tax issues or have GTP questions. Interested participants can find out more about these sessions by logging into GTP and selecting "LIVE Tax Information and GTP Q&A Session" from the menu.
Important Guidelines for International Students
As a UCSB international student, there are several things to be mindful of in order to maintain legal visa status and good academic standing:
Periodically check with your department’s Graduate Program Assistant regarding degree progress and course requirements. International graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 8 units per quarter, and some departments may require registration for more than 8 units.
Remember to bring your I-20 or DS-2019 to OISS for travel validation at least 2 business days before you leave the United States. Each travel signature is valid for up to 6 months.
International students can work on-campus up to 50% appointment time (not above 20 hours per week) during academic quarters, and full-time (100%) during the summer.
International students must have been enrolled as an F-1 student for a minimum of one academic year (9 months) to be eligible for off-campus employment.
As an international student, if you earn income from any source between January 1 and December 31 of a given calendar year, remember to file both Federal and State income tax returns on time. Tax information for International Graduate Students