Graduate Student Experience Program (GSEP)
The Graduate Student Experience Program (GSEP) provides graduate students with additional support and resources. The benefits include a variety of personal, research, professional, co-curricular events and activities including full access to the Graduate Student Writing Center. All resources offered through the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity are based on the unique needs and high demands of the SDSU graduate student community.
What are the benefits of the Graduate Student Experience Program (GSEP)?
As a registered participant, you will gain access to other activities and services offered through the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity including:
- Unlimited access to one-on-one consultation (in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous) and writing workshops at the Graduate Student Writing Center
- Unlimited free printing service, including access to two wide-format (36’’x48’’ or smaller) poster prints per semester
- Additional research and scholarly resources, including assistance with conference research materials.
- San Diego Experience and Campus Life: Access to campus and regional events throughout the year at no additional cost.
These on-and-off campus events are designed to connect graduate students and build
community. Highlights include:
- SDSU Leadership Summit
- San Diego Sporting events, including a San Diego Wave match, and San Diego Padres game
- Field trips, including a day trip to Knott’s Berry Farm
- Graduate Student Brain Bash: Trivia Night
- Priority registration for the Graduate Intramural Sports League
- Access to the Professional Development Academy
- Mental Health and Social Well-being programming
GSEP Fee Details
The Graduate Student Experience Fee is $300 per academic year. This includes both
fall and spring semesters.
This fee applies to those in eligible degree programs. To opt out, complete the GSEP Opt-out form by July 31, 2026, at 4 p.m. PST.
SDSU Global Campus students, SDSU Imperial Valley students, and students enrolled in fully online programs are not eligible for the GSEP fee. Students who are planning on taking a leave of absence for the 2026-27 academic year must opt out of the GSEP fee by the July 31, 2026 deadline. After the July 31 deadline, the fee is non-refundable.
Opt Out Communications
Beginning March 2, 2026 through July 31, GSEP-eligible graduate students will receive regular emails to their SDSU email address, as well as text message reminders ahead of the July 31 opt out deadline to ensure students are both informed about the benefits of the program and have ample opportunity to opt-out of GSEP if they choose to do so before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students who decide to participate in the Graduate Student Experience Program (GSEP) and do not opt out before the July 31, 2026 deadline will see the GSEP fee posted to their my.SDSU financial account tile. The payment will be due by Sept. 20, 2026.
As the GSEP fee posts alongside your tuition and fees, it is eligible to be covered by financial aid. To learn more about how the GSEP factors into your individual financial aid, students are encouraged to connect with the Cal Coast Student Financial Center. Graduate students are also eligible for scholarships and are encouraged to apply. Graduate students are also eligible for scholarships, and are encouraged to apply.
After the July 31, 2026 opt-out deadline, the fee is non-refundable. From March 2 up to the July 31 deadline, students receive regular emails to their SDSU email address as well as follow-up text message reminders about the GSEP fee and how to opt-out if they choose to do so.
If you wish to opt out of the program, complete the GSEP opt out form by July 31, 2026, at 4 p.m. PST. It is the student’s responsibility to opt out if they choose to do so.
SDSU Global Campus students, SDSU Imperial Valley students, and students enrolled in fully online programs are not eligible for the GSEP fee.
Students who opt out of the GSEP fee will receive an immediate email confirming they have successfully opted out of the program. After students receive this confirmation, no additional action is needed. Students are asked to keep a copy of the email for their records.
To ensure equitable access to services for all graduate students, those who opt out of GSEP will receive limited access to certain resources. This includes a maximum of two appointments per month at the Graduate Student Writing Center, 50 pages of free printing per semester (excluding poster printing), and no priority access to Graduate Life and Diversity events or workshops.
Yes. If you would like to opt back into the program, please contact the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity at [email protected].
If you have questions about the Graduate Student Experience Program, please contact the Office for Graduate Life and Diversity at [email protected] or 619-594-2718.
