Does anyone know how to access award letters? Or when they will come out if they haven’t?
there should be a link to your unofficial award letter on your portal and your actual award letter won’t be available until around august
@zthh1111
What does the link look like?
The link is a box in blue on the left above of the acceptance statement, that says “Check my financial aid status”. However, so far this only says “FAFSA received 2/14/2016” for us, and doesn’t have any other information. My son was also accepted at two other UCs, and both have show more information. If they don’t update this by the end of the week we will call and check.
My son’s portal doesn’t show anything yet either. UCI doesn’t seem to be out yet either. Hopefully they will come out soon for those of us who need that info to make a decision.
It will come in April- From the Steps to Enrollment page: “Each applicant who filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application and indicated UCSB as a college of choice may view an Unofficial Award Letter from UCSB. The letter will be available in early April and will provide a preliminary estimate of your aid eligibility.”
@crazyhousemom
Thanks! Awe, April seems a bit late. I was hoping it could come sooner so I could visit during spring break. I don’t want to visit until I find out if I can afford it.
Are you in state?
@UCorCSUFLDad
Yes. OOS students don’t get FA.
Financial aid is down, I think they are putting it up
Fuck. Literally got no aid. Fuck
Did anyone see the middle class scholarship in their aid award? I was at the very least expecting that.
I went to a reception for UCSB on Sunday and got a paper. UNOFFICIAL award letters are sent out in late March, but the official ones won’t come until April. Just keep an eye out and check the portal regularly. Your unofficial aid report should come in. 
Financial packages are out. Does everyone have “Other Education Costs” of $5,571? That amount is in addition to the estimates for books and travel.
Does anyone have any idea why this number is so high,and what it is composed of? It seems to be about $3,000 higher than any of the other financial packages we have received. Yet tuition # is lower. I’m thinking the “Other Education Cost” includes the required health insurance? I’m pretty sure the health insurance was included in the tuition costs from the other UCs. I know the UC Health Insurance is expensive - like @ $2500. Fortunately you can opt out if you are adequately insured elsewhere.
@calmom2016 I was wondering the same. I think it is insurance, phone and personal expenses. Tried to call the FA office to clarify, but they were closed.
Please break down “other education costs” on financial aid award letter if you know. Thank you!
I do not know for sure, but looking at last year’s COA sheet, it looks to me like the “other costs” included Personal Expenses (1713 last year), Loan fees (122) Phone (402), and Health Insurance (2772 last year). That put it over $5K.
I hope that is what is included this year, since the Health Insurance can be waived if you have other coverage and that is a huge chunk of the cost.
Still didn’t get a letter online. It just says that my FAFSA was received.
@retraction I’m not surprised. We weren’t notified that FA was up. I think they are just loading it as they go and will eventually notify everyone that is available.
Did you receive an email alerting you that the unofficial FA letter was available online?