Childbirth Accommodation & Childcare Reimbursement

Childbirth Accommodation Petition Form for TAs, Associate Instructors, GSRs, GSR Fellowships, GSR Trainees, Non-Bargaining Fellowships

In accordance with the University of California’s contract with UAW, salaried ASEs (Teaching Assistants and Associate Instructors) and salaried GSRs (Graduate Student Researchers, Graduate Student Researcher Fellowships, and Graduate Student Researcher Trainees) appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the quarter, are eligible for up to eight weeks of childbirth leave. At UCI, this benefit has also been extended to certain Non-Bargaining Fellowships. The maximum of eight weeks paid leave extends only during the time a student holds an eligible position and/or fellowship.  Note: The maximum of eight weeks paid leave is limited to one per academic year, regardless of the number of qualifying events.

Non-Bargaining Fellowships

At UCI, certain fellowships who meet minimum criteria are eligible for the system-wide Childbirth Accommodation Program (e.g. Graduate Division Endowed Fellowships, or fellowships offered by academic departments and centers at UCI) and are also eligible for up to eight weeks of childbirth paid leave.  

An eligible fellow is a registered graduate student with a university-administered fellowship.  To be eligible for the program, the university-administered fellowship must cover the full amount of California resident fees and tuition, and provide a minimum stipend of $6,000 for the quarter to be reimbursed.  During the summer, the fellowship must provide a minimum stipend of $6,000. 

What if the Non-Bargaining Fellowship, GSR Fellowship, and/or GSR Trainee also offers Childbirth Accommodation?

Most fellowships will defer to University policy and should also fund up to eight weeks of childbirth paid leave. In these cases, funding should be requested from the fellowship grantor, and do not need to apply for the system-wide Childbirth Accommodation Program. If the Non-Bargaining Fellowship, GSR Fellowship, and/or GSR Trainee benefit is less than the eight weeks of childbirth paid leave, the fellow would be eligible for supplementation thru the system-wide Childcare Accommodation Program. 

Fee Remission

A central childbirth accommodation fund has been established to pay the salaries/stipends of these eligible students during the time they are on leave, and fee remissions are not covered by the central account. If applicable, fee remission support will remain being charged to the Non-Bargaining Fellowship, GSR Fellowship, GSR Trainee grant and/or hiring department (Teaching Assistants and Associate Instructors, or GSR) during the paid leave.

• Childcare Reimbursement Form for ASEs

The contract between the University and the UAW also provides for a system-wide Childcare Reimbursement Program to eligible Academic Student Employees (including hourly ASEs, i.e. Readers and Tutors) appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the academic quarter. Starting Fall 2024, the reimbursement limit is $1,400 per quarter for eligible childcare expenses incurred during the ASE’s appointment period during the academic year. During the summer, the reimbursement limit is $1,400 irrespective of the number of summer sessions in which an ASE is employed. A central childcare reimbursement fund has been established to pay for reimbursable childcare expenses.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than the last day of the following term.

*ONCE APPROVED, REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS MAY TAKE UP TO 45 DAYS TO BE PROCESSED DUE TO PAYROLL DEADLINES. 

• Childcare Reimbursement Form for GSRs, GSR Fellowships, GSR Trainees

The contract between the University and the UAW also provides for the system-wide Childcare Reimbursement Program to eligible Graduate Student Researchers (including Graduate Student Researcher Fellowships and Graduate Student Researcher Trainees) appointed for a minimum of 25% time for the duration of the fiscal quarter.  Starting Fall 2024, eligible GSRs may be reimbursed up to $1,400 per fiscal quarter for eligible childcare expenses. During the summer, the reimbursement limit is $1,400 for the entire duration of the summer period between July 1 – September 30.  Reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than the last day of the following term.

What if the GSR Fellowship and/or GSR Trainee also offers Childcare Reimbursement?

If the GSR Fellowship or GSR Trainee grant provides a childcare benefit that covers the maximum amount of $1,400 per quarter, then the fellow/trainee wouldn’t be eligible for the University’s Childcare Reimbursement Program in the same quarter. In cases where the fellowship/trainee childcare benefit is less than the maximum amount, the fellow/trainee would be eligible for supplementation thru the system-wide Childcare Reimbursement Program.

*ONCE APPROVED, REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENTS MAY TAKE UP TO 45 DAYS TO BE PROCESSED DUE TO PAYROLL DEADLINES.

Child Dependent Health Insurance Attestation Form

The university’s contract with the UAW provides for a systemwide Child Dependent Health Care Premium reimbursement program for eligible ASEs and GSRs appointed for a minimum of 25% for the duration of the quarter. The maximum amount per quarter of reimbursement will be up to the quarter’s Child(ren) Only (Medical Only Coverage) listed on UCShIPs Website, 2024-25 rates are $3,550.33.

Eligible Graduate Students are appointed for an ASE/GSR position for a minimum of 25% for the entirety of the quarter (if the position is terminated at any point during the quarter for any reason, a reimbursement of the funds may be requested). The GSR/ASE’s salary must be over the Medi-Cal threshold, and GSR/ASE’s with spouses must not be over the Medi-Cal threshold. These requirements can be found on Medi-Cal’s website. The Graduate Student’s child dependent must be enrolled in UCSHIP in advance of the request, private insurance isn’t eligible. The attestation form and receipt must be turned into the hiring department within 30 days of purchase.