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PACE Fellowship Program
The PACE Fellowship Program application for the 2026–27 academic year is now open and will close on May 15! Apply here!
What is the PACE Fellowship Programs?
The Personal and Career Experience (PACE) Fellowship program provides AB 540 and CA Dream Act undergraduate students opportunities to participate in an Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) on campus that incorporates faculty/staff mentorship, and professional and scholastic development, with financial aid support. Students who participate in the PACE Fellowship program receive a scholarship distributed through the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
The PACE Fellowship Program is funded by the State of California, Budget Act of 2022-23 AB 179, and the University of California President’s Fellowships for Experiential Learning. These funding sources support the program's mission and activities.
Interested in Joining for the 2026–2027 Academic Year?
The PACE Fellowship Program application is now open and will close on May 15. Apply here!
Join us for a PACE Fellowship Student Info Session on Zoom to learn more about the program, including eligibility, benefits, the application process, and key timelines. We’ll also highlight how the fellowship supports your academic and professional growth. The session will include a live Q and A so you can connect with our team and get your questions answered. Registration is required!
Additional Questions?
Please email our team at undoc@ucsd.edu for additional questions or support.
Program History and Need for Inclusive Fellowships
Undocumented Student Services (USS) developed the PACE program in response to the need for inclusive fellowships at UC San Diego that provide professional development opportunities to all students – regardless of immigration status – that foster a deeper connection to the institution.
"Inclusive Fellowships" (a term coined by Immigrants Rising) for undocumented students are experiential learning opportunities hosted by campus units or departments that provide aid (e.g., stipends, grants, or scholarships) for the participating fellow regardless of the student's immigration status.
Inclusive fellowships do not require recipients to have work authorization or a social security number. Inclusive fellowships are flexible mechanisms by which educational institutions support the learning and professional development needs of undocumented students who are unable to secure a campus job or internship.
The PACE Fellowship Program was created following the guidance of Immigrants Rising in conjunction with UCSD's outlined Competencies.
"Inclusive Fellowships" (a term coined by Immigrants Rising) for undocumented students are experiential learning opportunities hosted by campus units or departments that provide aid (e.g., stipends, grants, or scholarships) for the participating fellow regardless of the student's immigration status.
Inclusive fellowships do not require recipients to have work authorization or a social security number. Inclusive fellowships are flexible mechanisms by which educational institutions support the learning and professional development needs of undocumented students who are unable to secure a campus job or internship.
The PACE Fellowship Program was created following the guidance of Immigrants Rising in conjunction with UCSD's outlined Competencies.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to participate in the PACE Fellowship Program if you are:
- An undergraduate with current enrollment at UC San Diego for the current academic year in which you apply.
- Ineligible for federal financial aid (e.g., Pell Grants, Direct Loans).
- Have AB 540 California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption.
- Have a California Dream Act (CADAA) Application on file.
- Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI) is equal to or less than the maximum to qualify for a Pell Grant ($6,600).
- Demonstrate sufficient financial need.
Don’t meet the PACE Fellowship criteria? Visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to explore other available scholarship or fellowship opportunities.
Guidelines for Experiential Learning Opportunity
Participants in the PACE Fellowship Program gain hands-on experience by working under the guidance of a mentor at an on-campus host site. The Experiential Learning Opportunity (ELO) is a central part of the program and helps students build professional skills, explore career interests, and apply what they are learning in real-world settings. Students can secure an ELO in one of three ways:
- Build Your Own ELO: Students work with a faculty or staff mentor to design a customized experiential learning opportunity aligned with their interests and goals. Students should review the How to Find a Host/Mentor and Developing an ELO guides before starting. Once the ELO is agreed upon, the Experiential Learning Opportunity Template must be completed. Students must submit the PACE Application by May 15, 2026 and have their ELO and mentor finalized by May 29, 2026. If an ELO and mentor are not confirmed by early June, students will need to select an option from the directory.
- Returning ELO: This option is for returning PACE Fellows who plan to continue with the same mentor and/or ELO. Students should confirm their continuation with their mentor and update any necessary details. Students must submit the PACE Application by May 15, 2026 and confirm their ELO and mentor by May 29, 2026.
- Select from the PACE Directory: Students can choose from a list of pre-developed ELOs curated by Undocumented Student Services from submission made by campus departments across campus. The directory will be shared after the PACE Application is submitted, along with instructions on how to apply and interview for the ELO they are interested in. Interviews will take place throughout May 2026, and final ELO placements will be shared by June 5, 2026.
All students must submit the PACE Application by May 15, 2026 and have a confirmed ELO and mentor by May 29, 2026 to fully participate in the program. If a student does not secure an ELO independently, they will be supported through the directory process.
The PACE Fellowship Program application for the 2026–27 academic year is now open! Apply here!
PACE Fellowship Program Overview
For the 2026–2027 academic year, the PACE Fellowship Program will be housed under the Academic Internship Program (AIP). As a result, PACE Fellows will be required to follow AIP guidelines, including completing a deliverable for each quarter they participate in the program. Please review the PACE Fellowship Program requirements below. Fellows are responsible for completing all requirements each quarter to remain in the Fellowship Program.
PACE Fellowship Requirements
- Commit 8-10 hours weekly to an ELO for the entire academic year.
- Attend the in-person PACE Orientation in October
- Enroll in the AIP course for all three quarters.
- Class is taken for 2 units and is for Pass/No Pass
- Complete a deliverable each quarter in accordance with AIP guidelines.
- The deliverable may take the form of a final paper, project, or presentation that demonstrates the student's learning through their ELO.
- Should be created alongside the ELO so that the learning experience and final deliverable are developed simultaneously.
- The specific topic, approach, and bibliography should be developed in consultation with the mentor.
- Submit Quarterly Program Assessments
The deliverable may take the form of a final paper, project, or presentation that demonstrates the student’s learning through their experiential learning opportunity. This component is a key part of the Academic Internship Program experience, as it encourages students to think critically and communicate analytically about the relationship between theory and practice, deepening their understanding of both the internship context and their academic discipline. Through the development of an independent deliverable, students also build competencies essential in both academic and professional settings, including critical thinking and problem solving, research skills, and written or digital communication.
The specific topic, approach, and bibliography of the deliverable should be developed in consultation with the ELO mentor. The deliverable should be created alongside the experiential learning opportunity so that the learning experience and final product develop simultaneously. To support this process, students and their mentor should plan to connect at least three times during the quarter to discuss progress on both the internship and the final deliverable.
The PACE Fellowship Program application for the 2026–27 academic year is now open! Apply here!
Application Materials
In order to apply to the PACE Fellowship Program students must submit all of the following in order to be considered for the program.
- Demographic Questions
- Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae
- 2025-26 Financial Aid Award letter screenshot
- Short-Response Questions
Application Timeline
Please review the timeline for the PACE Fellowship Program application. Be advised that are a few steps before a student is fully confirmed as a PACE Fellow for the 2026-27 academic year. If you have any questions about the timeline please reach out to our team at undoc@ucsd.edu.
Timeline
- APRIL 8th - MAY 15th: Students apply to the PACE Program.
- APRIL 27th-MAY 22nd: Mentors will conduct candidate interviews if you are choosing to select your ELO from the PACE Directory.
- MAY 29th: Mentors select their final candidate for their experiential learning opportunity if you are choosing to select your ELO from the PACE Directory.
- JUNE 5th: The PACE Program notifies students of their ELO and acceptance into the PACE Program.
In the application, students will indicate how they will be choosing their experiential learning opportunities. Depending on which option students select, USS staff will be reaching out to students to support them in this process. Please review the section above titled "Guidelines for Experiential Learning Opportunities" for more details.
Please note that the deadline for submission is May 15th. This is a firm deadline for current students enrolled at UCSD, with accommodations only being made for extenuating circumstances.
The PACE Fellowship Program application for the 2026–27 academic year is now open! Apply here!
Stay up to date on deadlines via our newsletter, Instagram, or Facebook. Contact undoc@ucsd.edu for additional information.
PACE Fellowship Mentors
Through the PACE Fellowship Program, participants are paired with mentors from on-campus experiential learning opportunity host sites, receiving guidance and support crucial to their success. Under the mentor's guidance, students design and implement experiential learning experiences tailored to their interests and professional goals. As part of the program, students also complete a project connected to their host site, applying their skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.
Expectations for Mentors/Host Departments
- Mentors must be a part of a UC San Diego unit or department. We do not accept mentors outside UC San Diego. Mentors need to be UC San Diego staff or faculty. Graduate students such as TAs or GAs cannot serve as mentors.
- Mentor/Host provide the fellow with an experiential learning opportunity (ELO). The mentor/host create and fill out ELO Template with roles, responsibilities, expectations, and activities for the fellow. The plan to be developed in consultation with the PACE fellow considering their professional and personal development goals. Review how to Develop an Experiential Learning Opportunity document and the PACE Fellowship Interest Guide for more details about the process.
- Mentors will attend the in-person training provided by USS professional staff in September/October.
- Mentors must provide ongoing feedback pertaining to the learning opportunity and holistic mentorship to support the professional and personal growth of the fellow.
- The Mentor and the fellow should meet at least once per quarter for a professional or social activity. These activities may include: grabbing lunch, getting coffee, meeting to discuss a relevant topic or even looking over a job application. Mentors should be proactive and take initiative to interact with fellows outside their learning opportunity. These meetings can count as the 10 hours per week minimum.
- Mentors complete PACE evaluation forms or other documentation when needed.
- Mentor maintain communication with PACE Fellowship Program Coordinator as appropriate.
Mentor Application
Are you interested in hosting or mentoring a PACE fellow?
The mentor interest form is now closed for the 2026-2027 year. Questions? Email us at undoc@ucsd.edu.
If you are currently working with a student to create an experiential learning opportunity (ELO) and it's before the May 1st 2026, deadline, please make sure to review the guidance provided in the Developing an ELO document. Once the ELO has been decided on by both the mentor and student please fill out and follow the instructions of the Experiential Learning Opportunity Template.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an existing internship or student position be offered as the experiential learning opportunity?
No. An experiential learning opportunity cannot replace an existing paid position or employee. However, the learning opportunity offered can have similar responsibilities as an existing internship or student paid position — with the addition of holistic mentorship and consideration of the fellow’s professional and personal development needs.
Is the host department guaranteed a student?
No. A host or mentor obtaining a student depends on the student’s interest in pursuing the experiential learning opportunity being offered. However, by filling out the Host/Mentor Application, we recognize that your department is open to hosting PACE fellows and may host fellows for future fellowship cohorts.
Can a host assign more than one mentor to their student?
Yes. More than one mentor can support the PACE fellow as long as the mentorship component is being provided to the student.
I’m interested in mentoring a student and offering an ELO but don’t have funding for the scholarship. Can I still participate?
The PACE Fellowship Program is funded by the State of California, Budget Act of 2022-23 AB 179, and the University of California President’s Fellowships for Experiential Learning. Undocumented Student Services is committed to funding each of our Fellows and does not require mentors nor departments to contribute to the fellowship award.
My department/unit is interested in funding a PACE Fellow?
Please contact us at undoc@ucsd.edu for more information.
Is the PACE Fellowship Program open to students who do not have AB540 or CA Dream Act financial aid?
Students who participate in PACE Fellowship program must have AB 540 status and receive the CA Dream Act.
Can a fellowship commitment be terminated by the PACE fellow or the host/mentor, and if so, under what circumstances?
If the student or host/mentor wishes to discontinue their participation in the PACE Fellowship Program, we ask that they communicate with the USS Program Coordinator for guidance and support on how to move forward. We ask both hosts and fellows to not terminate their commitments without first communicating with the USS team.
Do PACE fellows receive employee benefits when doing a PACE fellowship? Do they need to report the scholarship on their taxes?
As part of this fellowship, UC San Diego is not liable for injury sustained or health conditions that may arise during a student's participation in the PACE Fellowship Program. In addition, since this fellowship is not considered to be employment, you will not receive any of the employee benefits that regular UC-San Diego employees receive, including, but not limited to, health insurance, vacation or sick pay, paid holidays, or participation in the 401(k) plan. Fellowship stipends are not reported on a year-end tax form (either W-2 or Form 1099), but it may be necessary to self-report them on IRS Form 1040 and to make estimated tax payments directly to the IRS. Please check with your tax accountant regarding the need to make estimated tax payments.
PACE Fellowship Report 24-25
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