+1 (831) 459-2103 dpj@ucsc.edu

General Information

NEH Summer Institute Stipend

Each teacher will receive a stipend of $2,850.00 for the institute. Participants will receive this in two payments: the first at the end of week one and the second after uploading the curricular project and completing the required evaluation. The stipend is considered taxable income intended to offset participation costs, including lodging, travel, and meals.

Lodging: on-campus apartments

UC Santa Cruz offers on-campus apartments that provide dorm-style accommodations. These include single bedrooms with a living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathrooms. Each bedroom is treated as a private space, regardless of whether it is a double room. Essential household and kitchen amenities will be supplied in these apartments. Additionally, participants can rent a linen pack for $40 for three weeks.

On-campus housing is a special privilege available exclusively to those affiliated with the NEH program, and the apartments present a unique opportunity to connect with other educators in the program. If you decide to live on campus, a portion of your stipend will go toward housing costs, resulting in a reduced stipend at the end of the institute.

Apartment Virtual Tour

Click on the links below to view examples of on-campus apartment facilities, single and double bedrooms, and the kitchen/living area. The actual room size, layout, and furniture configuration may vary.

 

On-Campus Apartment Costs

  • Shared Apartment for 20 nights (check-in: 6/29/25, check-out: 7/19/25): $1,005.40
  • Linen Rental (sheets, blankets, pillows, towels): $40.00
  • Optional Meal Plan (eat in the dining hall): $840 for 20 days or $14/meal

We can also accommodate families on campus in smaller or larger apartments.

  • 2 Bedroom Apartment for 20 nights: $4,254.00
  • 3-4 Bedroom Apartment for 20 nights: $7,388.00

What is included in a shared apartment?

The bedroom will contain an extra-long twin bed (39” x 80”); desk and chair; closet, dresser, or wardrobe; and a bookcase or bookshelves. The apartment has living room furniture, a refrigerator, stove and oven, and recycling bins.

The kitchen will be outfitted with the following essential items: bowls, plates, glasses, mugs, silverware, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mixing spoon, serving spoon and spatula, cutting board and larger knives, pots and pan, colander, dish soap, dish rack, oven mitt, garbage bags. We try to supply enough to allow participants to cook in the apartments for the entirety of the institute. In the past, participants who have stayed in the apartments have arranged for shopping trips to Target together to supplement these items and have even organized group meal nights.

Are the apartments and classrooms air-conditioned?

No, apartments, classrooms, and offices on campus are not air-conditioned.

Do apartments have elevators?

Some apartments have elevators, but it is not common.

Will I get my own bedroom and bathroom?

The apartments usually have four bedrooms and two bathrooms. You will have your own bedroom, but you will share the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with your apartment mates. Private bathrooms are not available.

Are apartments assigned by gender?

We will do our best to assign apartments by gender, but there may be a possibility of mixed genders if all participants agree to this.

 

Lodging: Off-Campus Housing

A wide range of options are available for those who prefer the flexibility of off-campus housing. Once accepted into the institute, participants who prefer to stay off-campus should immediately start looking for local short-term rentals. Platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Craigslist are excellent sources for finding off-campus housing that meets your needs.

To give you an idea of pricing in July, a 3-bedroom house in Santa Cruz can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 for four weeks. If three participants share the house, the rent would amount to approximately $1,000 to $2,000 per person for the month.

While general information about off-campus lodging will be provided, it is ultimately the responsibility of the participants to reserve and coordinate their off-campus accommodations. This independence lets you choose the living situation that best suits your needs. If you decide to live off-campus, you will receive your stipend in full.

Transportation to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is located at the top of the Monterey Bay on the Central California coast, 75 miles south of San Francisco. Getting here is easy since several major highways run to Santa Cruz, and the San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Monterey International Airports are all nearby.

Airports

Santa Cruz is best served by San Jose International Airport (SJC), just 45 minutes away. Travelers may also use San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is 2 hours away, Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is 2 hours away, or Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), which is 1.5 hours away.

Airport Shuttles

Below are links to airport shuttle companies that service the Santa Cruz area.

 

University Resources Available to All Seminar Participants

Since the UCSC campus is located on a hill above downtown Santa Cruz, all Institute participants will receive a bus pass and UCSC parking permit (needed at all times to park on campus) for easy access to the campus and the city. Additionally, participants will have borrowing privileges at the Library and can purchase a summer membership to access the campus athletics facilities.

Dickens Universe Conference

We hope participants will opt to stay on campus for one additional week to attend the Dickens Universe. The Dickens Universe is a unique cultural event that brings together scholars, teachers, students, and members of the general public for a week of stimulating discussion and festive social activity on the beautiful Santa Cruz campus of the University of California—all focused on one or two Victorian novels, usually (but not always) one by Charles Dickens.

Now in its 45th year of operation, the Dickens Universe combines features of a scholarly conference, a festival, a book club, and a summer camp. Participants include people of all ages and walks of life—distinguished scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, retirees, young professionals, high school teachers, and anyone who loves reading and enjoys long Victorian novels.

Registration will be discounted from $1,800.00 for a single room to $1,275.00.

 

Santa Cruz Information

Local Grocery Stores

  • Safeway: 2203 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • New Leaf: 1101 Fair Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Trader Joe’s: 700 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
  • Shopper’s Corner: 622 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Whole Foods: 911 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Staff of Life: 1266 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Grocery Outlet: 120 Morrissey Boulevard, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
  • Target: 1825 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
  • Nob Hill Foods: 809 Bay Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010

 

What is the weather like in Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz has a very mild climate, although it can sometimes be hot during the summer, with temperatures in the 80s, with low humidity. A perfect day starts foggy and cool, turns sunny and warm about mid-morning, and cools down again in the evening. Rain in July and August is an anomaly, although we often have some fog or drizzle at night.

Those who are used to warmer nighttime temperatures are surprised at how cold it feels at night here. The temperatures usually fall into the 50s at night but can feel colder due to the marine influence. Even if it’s 100°F degrees when packing to leave, do not forget your jacket!

What are some things to do and places to visit in Santa Cruz?