Quarter Limit Policy

This Academic Senate policy applies to students who entered UC San Diego in Fall 2019 or after.

Students admitted as New First Year students (Freshmen) have 12 quarters to complete all requirements, while Transfers have 6 quarters. 

The following are not included in the Quarter Limit calculation:

• Summer sessions
• Approved part-time quarters
• Fully withdrawn quarters (with or without W grades)

If you will need additional time to complete requirements, you will need to submit a completion plan showing your future quarter-by-quarter plan. If you would like to discuss educational opportunities that might require an extension of the quarter limit policy, please contact your College advising office.

Maximum Unit Limitation

The Quarter Limit Policy replaced the Maximum Unit Limitation policy, which was in effect for students who entered UC San Diego before Fall 2019. If you started at UC San Diego when the maximum unit limitation was in effect, please contact your College advising team with any questions about how long you are eligible to remain enrolled.

The Maximum Unit Limitation policy is a separate and distinct policy from Financial Aid's Maximum Timeframe process, which remains in effect. For questions about Maximum Timeframe, visit the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress page.