Prospective UCEAP Reciprocity Students
The Education Abroad Program (EAP) is the international educational exchange program of the University of California system. It is composed of a specific group of universities around the world that have one year non-degree student exchange agreements with the University of California. For more information about the Education Abroad Program visit the UCEAP website.
If you are a registered student at one of UC’s partner universities, go to your international/overseas office and ask for help in applying to the Education Abroad Program. EAP cannot send you an application; applications may only be obtained through your university exchange office.
View a listing of UC partner universities.
If your institution does not participate in an exchange with the University of California and you are interested applying to the university independently, contact UC Merced Admissions at admissions@ucmerced.edu.
Your interest in studying at UC Merced is appreciated and we hope you are able to attain your goal of studying abroad!
Admitted UCEAP Reciprocity Students
If you are a newly admitted UCEAP participant joining UC Merced for one or two semesters from a foreign partner university, visit the UCEAP Reciprocal Exchanges webpage for pre-arrival information for the UC Merced campus.
Once you arrive to UC Merced, there will be a mandatory new international student orientation. Here is the orientation web page.
UCEAP Reciprocity students are NOT required to pay UC Merced Registration Fees, Campus-Based or Student Services fees however, all students ARE automatically assessed the mandatory Health Insurance Fee. You are also responsible for any on-campus housing or meal plan fees if applicable. In some cases, you may also be responsible for laboratory fees, studio fees, etc.
Undergraduate students are insured by the Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). Coverage details can be found HERE. All registered students can go to the UC Merced Health Services office for medical treatment. Information about their services can be found on the Health Services web page. The Health Services office will also send you information describing about entrance examinations required of all incoming students. Read that material carefully and follow any instructions that are given. You will need to provide your immunization records to UC Merced either before you leave or upon arrival, so be sure to obtain this information, in English, from your doctor.
You are responsible for either 1) paying for health insurance or 2) obtaining a health insurance waiver.
1) PAYING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE:
If you wish to use the UC Merced insurance (recommended), you will need to pay your health insurance fee before you arrive to UC Merced by logging into your UC Merced Connect student portal. The deadlines to pay your health insurance fee are the same as the fee payment deadline.
2) OBTAINING A HEALTH INSURANCE WAIVER:
If you have your own health insurance and wish to apply for an exemption from the UC Merced health insurance, your insurance MUST meet ALL of the criteria specified on the waiver application. If it does, complete the waiver, include the necessary documentation, and submit it by the deadline. Waiver applications can be found HERE. If your insurance is not approved for an exemption, you will need to be prepared to pay the health insurance fee. Be sure to check the deadline dates to submit a waiver. After this deadline date, a fee of $50 will be administered.
