I know the best answer I will get is from the financial aid office itself, so I will be doing that sometime this week.
I just wanted input on any personal experiences or stories you have heard of whether you can convert loans to work study. This is specifically for UCI. I saw on UC Berkeley’s website that it was possible, but could not find anything on UCI’s website.
Also, my EFC is $0 if that is helpful to know.
Thanks for any advice!
If you are at your maximum for financial aid but want to get work study, some schools are willing to do that. The school has to have work study funds available (they are limited).
You can always get an outside (non-work study) job and not take the loans if you don’t need them. There are slightly different tax benefits to a non-work study job, but usually you are not making that much off work study to make a huge difference.
If you were also given unsub loans, then THOSE are the loans that you should ask to be replaced with work study.
@twoinanddone @mom2collegekids
Thanks for your help! 
If I already have work-study, is it still possible to convert those loans to more work-study? Or are work study funds for UCs limited?
Work study funds are limited for all schools, not just UCs, and you can only work a certain number of hours per week.
I’d suggest you keep what you have for the first semester and see how it goes. If you find you can work more hours, visit the FA office and talk it over with them. If there are no more funds, just get a regular second job for 5-10 hours per week. You do not have to take the loans if you have enough money to pay your bill in Jan.