<p>I've been hearing a lot of talk of people getting full rides to schools like UCR or UCI...how do you go about doing this? Is it something that you have to apply for?? Or do the schools just offer it to you?</p>
<p>Some schools, such as U. of Central Florida, offer full scholarships (tuition, room & board) to National Merit Finalists. </p>
<p>Other schools cover full tuition for those who qualify economically. For example, Harvard, Yale, and a couple of the other ivies do not ask families earning less than 60,000 a year to contribute to their child's cost to attend.</p>
<p>What about just based on merit tho? I've heard of people getting full rides to UCI but nothing to Berkeley, but do they have to apply or do the schools offer it? (Specifically for UC's)</p>
<p>UC scholarships are applied for when you submit your application. University</a> of California - Admissions You are considered automatically for most of them. In addition, you may check up to 16 boxes for restricted scholarships (based on clubs, heritage, parent work affiliation, etc...) </p>
<p>The most prestigious UC-based scholarship is the Regents Scholarships. Each campus selects Regents scholars differently and the scholarships vary in amount - though I am not aware of any that would be considered "Full ride." (I consider "full ride" to include tuition and fees, room, board, books and expenses.) I have seen Regents listed as $1,000/year at some campuses, and as much as $8,000/year at others. Some offer a $1,000 stipend regardless of need, then more depending on FAFSA-determined need. There may be additional requirements and interviews, but the campus will contact and request them if they are considering you. University</a> of California - Admissions </p>
<p>Many campuses also have Alumni scholarships that you must apply for separately after you have applied to the UC, look up your campuses here University</a> of California - Admissions to see requirements.</p>
<p>As you can see, the campuses administer their scholarships differently and it is important to visit the website of each school you are applying to for the details. Each campus makes their admissions and scholarships decisions independently and without knowing what other campuses are offering, so it is very possible to be offered a Regents at one campus and no scholarship at another.</p>
<p>fragility</p>
<p>If an applicant has an EFC of $0 and is offered the Regents Scholarship, then he will be given a financial aid package that meets his need in full. In the past, the FA package was 100% grants (no loans or work study). </p>
<p>It is easier to receive Regents at UCI and and UCR than it is to receive Regents at UCB or UCLA.</p>
<p>From a strict merit sense, UC's do not offer full ride. Some lower tier UC, UCR/UCM might offer full fees(tuition) for their Regents Scholarship. My S got Regents last year from UCI, $2500 per year, and UCSD, $2000 per year, and are far from even full tuition/fee. FresnoMom is right, for those who have financial need and is offered the Regents Scholarship they will be given a financial aid package that meets their needs in full.</p>