<p>I have been admitted to both schools plus UCSB(I only applied to those 3 as an Earth Science Major), but I did not expect to get into UCSD and had forgotten to apply for financial aid. I did apply for both UCSC and UCSB and was awarded a sizable grant from UCSC. I have good grades and I am transfering from a SC county community college. I have to make my decision by June 1st and I doubt UCSD will have a preliminary award ready for me. My awards for UCSB were much less that but did factor in a "Possible Cal Grant" that I am not eligible for due to graduating high school in Washington State.
I guessing UCSB is more typical of the award I would receive from UCSD
UCSB Unofficial award letter states:</p>
<p>Possible Cal Grant 12,924$ that I know I am not going to get
Federal Pell Grant 5000$ (I will be awarded this no matter where I attend)
UC grant 2088$
Work Study 2000$
and some loans 5500$ Subsidized 2355$ Unsubsidized</p>
<p>UCSC's Unoffical
Conditional Pell Grant 5000$
Conditional UCSC Grant 14,408$......yes please
Conditional UC tuition grant 732$
Work Study 2,300 $
Loans 5,500$ direct unsubsidized and 2,255 subsidized </p>
<p>Sounds like a great deal (Im 26 and employed part time with a 3.7GPA) but will I get a similar award next year? I don't plan on working as much. Will my award change for UCSB because I'm not eligible for a Cal Grant? Will UCSD be able to offer me anything as substantial as UCSC considering I applied so late for aid? Will they possible give me more the next year if so?
I would really like to attend UCSD but I don't want to be in huge amount of debt. Yet another factor is that UCSD has a master's degree that can be completed in 3 quaters for my major at Scripps institute of Oceanography which is pretty much my dream school for grad school. I could apply to the doctorate program if coming from UCSC but they only take UCSD students for the masters program. All in all a very tough call for me with less than a week to plan my next 3-5 years.
Yet another factor is I have a comfy spot in SC already complete with friends, a good job (waiting tables), and cheap off campus housing where I can bike to a few surf spots and work. I would be living on Campus at UCSD something I have never done, but I expect would keep me more focused on school yet definitely more expensive.</p>
<p>My Fafsa is still being processed and should be ready to view by the middle of this week, I was then going to Email or fax it to UCSD to get some kind of unofficial aid award, will this work? Any ideas/advice/info in appreciated. Thanks!</p>