<p>As far as I can tell, the UCs use a formula to see whether people are eligible for their schools.
[University</a> of California - Counselors](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/advising/admission/scholarshipr.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/advising/admission/scholarshipr.html)
Even if you meet the minimum you may not get a place in their school, though if you are able to pay for full tuition, with these financial times it might push you to the top of the pile.</p>