Advice about financial aid and dorming!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Irvine
1

Hello! I just received my financial aid package from UCI, but I need a bit of advice:

I got about 24k from Cal grant A, pell grant, and their UCI grant. Also, 2k of work study, so 26k of loan free money. Dorming and tuition will cost about 34k but just tuition will be 15k less, so around 19k for just attending.

So my questions are:

  1. Is dorming worth it? Everyone encourages it, but I would have to borrow 8k in loans just to do so.

  2. Let’s say I didn’t dorm the first year, but the following years I want to get an apartment on campus(which i can’t get as a freshmen) which is only 8k, if i don’t use my money this year, will my financial add package decrease the next year?

  3. I qualify for the Cal Grant B as well, but if I get this instead of A will the missing first year of aid be covered by the blue and gold plan?

Thank you so much!!

2
  1. You will most likely have to borrow 8000 no matter where you live. They cut the grants payouts if you don't live on campus. I suggest playing with the net cost calculator and see the difference for each option of housing alternative - on campus, off campus, home.
  2. Your FA for next year will depend on the FAFSA you fill out in October 2017.
  3. No idea. Maybe you should contact the FA office.

Also, the FA numbers are not final. If you come in as a sophomore (45 units from AP), you are eligible for additional 1000 in loans, which can change some things.

Good luck.

3

@uciparent ahh i see thank you! Do you have any other advice for an upcoming uci student?

4

Yes, if you are a hard working smart person then take as many AP tests as possible in May. Self study if needed. Also sign up for hard to get classes in summer 2017. Fill out the fafsa for previous year and receive finacial aid for summer school. Take 8 + 8 in each session (4 classes) total. Doing all of the above will help you graduate in less than 4 years and give you earlier enrollment window. In some majors, students with 12 APs and summer school can graduate in Three or even TWO years. You will make most of your friends from your hall. Invest in these relationships. Seek leadership positions. Have your resume ready and go to the job fair in week zero to secure a good work study job hopefully in an area of professional interest to you. Take advantage of career classes and on campus recruiting. Maintain as high GPA as possible, And have fun. Enjoy your journey.

5

@uciparent i heard that you cannot use your financial aid for summer class though? How does this work?

6

Actually that is incorrect you will apply for financial aid for the previous year, and since 2015 tax returns were used for both Fall 16 and Fall 17, you will qualify for what I believe will be more than enough to cover 100% tuition in grants and an additional government loan which was $3300 last year that interest does not accumulate before graduation. Call the financial aid office. Check out webreg for summer schedule and enroll :slight_smile: I know students that did it last summer.