<p>I understand UC's are facing huge budget cuts and tuition is supposed to increase something close to 10% each year for the next 3 or 4 years. I also understand that student aid (such as pel grants) are provided separate from the UC school. however apparently UC has their own financial aid program that I imagine is related to admissions process. </p>
<p>my question is are applicants who clearly have an extreme need for financial aid be dumped in favor of a candidate who has the ability to pay more tuition up front?</p>
<p>I've been looking at the stats for the past years and there doesn't seem to be a huge difference between low income and high income applicants but then again I'm not sure how accurate UC self-reporting really is. </p>
<p>imagine a household of 5 with an income of 17,000....how would an applicant from that home be viewed compared to an applicant with a higher income?</p>
<p>Income isn’t the only factor, it depends on how that money is being spent–hence the reason why ask for your tax report. Because, with your example, there is a family of 5 who makes $170,000 but still need financial aid because the tax report shows them they have no extra money to allocate for school. While, in group 2, this same family has 5 members and also makes $170,000 but they have many assets (anything that can be liquidated), alot of money sitting around, and not in any debt. It depends really.</p>
<p>In the past low income could only help you. I doubt that will change this year</p>
<p>@ lawlking</p>
<p>not 170,000 - 17,000. Family is divorced. I’m talking about a student that clearly doesn’t have the resources to pay 20k a year. I’m concerned my status as a financially disadvantaged student would hurt me (especially as i am a borderline candidate) considering all the noise about budget cuts.</p>
<p>isn’t that why UC wants more international students because they pay more??</p>
<p>For the UC application, I put both my parents incomes even though they are separated. On the FAFSA I only used my dad’s income and I only have a family size of 2. I don’t know whether or not they will find that strange, that the app and FAFSA don’t match up lol. But my parents will support me financially, I just wanted to apply so I wouldn’t put such a burden on them.</p>
<p>bumpidy bump. kinda freaking out here.</p>
<p>Your income should not affect your admissions, as what people have been telling me…You can look up need-blind admissions and that should give you an answer. I’m sure they cannot discriminate against your income, as they cannot discriminate against anything else such as religion, race, etc. I have had friends with 0 income families that only receive some aid by separated spouse and they have gotten into good UC’s. I think they separate financial aid / income with your application.</p>
<p>@mmsiphone, low income can only help? So does high income hurt? o.0</p>
<p>There is no relationship between income level and admission chances for the UCs. In addition if you do get accepted to a UC since your family income is under $80,000 per year the Blue and Gold Program will allow you to attend without having to pay any tuition at all. You are much better off than if you went to a CSU where there is nothing like the Blue and Gold Program and very little in the way of financial aid for middle class students. I have two sons at Sacramento State and have to pay every penny of their tuition each semester and had to buy them a condominium near the campus since it is less expensive over six years than having one or both of them living in the dorms.</p>
<p>@newsoul I don’t think that is what iPhone was saying at all.</p>
<p>Blue and Gold will cover the entire cost of school for everything. No worries. You might have to take loans out though.</p>
<p>@Lemaitre, so about that Blue and Gold Program, I am considered an independent student when I fill out my FAFSA so does that $80K still apply to what my parents make or just myself. I am going to have to pay for everything on my own any which way so that Blue and Gold Program sounding pretty awesome.</p>
<p>@UCBhopeful16, If you’re considered independent then they will put together your financial aid package based off of your income only. I’m 27 and transferring this fall, and I make next to nothing so if you’re independent and in my situation it kind of works to your benefit, financial aid wise. Your FAFSA results should give you your EFC, estimated contribution, and UCLA does have a financial aid estimator that will give you a general idea of what kind of aid package you’d be looking at. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>UCBhopeful- They phrase it as if it depends on the students’ parents, but I think they do that just because they’re assuming that most of the students under the age of 24 are still legally dependent on their parents. I’m in your boat- Under the age of 24 and legally independent. I wouldn’t worry. Since you filled out your FAFSA using YOUR information, I’m sure they will base it off of your income as well.</p>
<p>Sorry if this is a dumb question. If Blue and Gold covers everything as Lookin4ward stated, then why do we have to take out loans? For housing? Thanks.</p>
<p>so there is no inverse relationship between low-income students and admissions process?</p>
<p>the officers don’t even see the income when looking at an applicant?</p>
<p>Your income is for the school seeing your financial needs. How can a school help you if they don’t know your financial background?</p>
<p>What Blue + Gold covers</p>
<p>Under the plan, your systemwide fees will be fully covered by scholarship or grant money if you are in your first four years at UC (two if you’re a transfer student).
The plan combines all sources of scholarship and grant awards you receive (federal, state, UC and private) to count toward covering your fees. If, for example, you receive Pell and Cal Grants and private scholarships that don’t fully cover your fees, UC grant money will make up the difference.
Students with greater financial need can qualify for even more grant support to help defray other educational expenses (like books, housing, transportation, etc.) In 2010-11, UC provided grant and scholarship assistance averaging $14,514 per student to more than half of undergraduates.</p>
<p>It covers fees, not housing. So you might need a loan for the other things you have to pay for throughout the year.</p>
<p>@lawlking</p>
<p>I understand the school can help me, I’m just concerned an officer might be prejudice against a candidate who shows a large financial need opposed to a candidate who has little to no financial need. we have the same grades and qualities, who gets in? both of us? </p>
<p>all i hear is about how bankrupt california is and i can’t fathom why UC would treat low-income students as equal to students who can afford to pay. i dont see any operating need-blind policy unlike some private schools. this is my concern.</p>
<p>@Acoustic- It covers tuition and fees, but nothing beyond that. Other costs will then either be covered by grants and other financial aid, or student loans.</p>