UC Blue and gold confusion

Paying for College
1

Hello, I’m currently enrolled at a California CC recieving full financial benefits planning on transferring out to a college come the next year. One of my colleges of choice is UCSD, however I’m really confused as to how financial aid and their own aid could help me. Right now, my EFC is 0, and after using their net calculator and finding out costs, I found out that I’d still owe around $12,000. Here’s a copy of what it states:

Expected Family Contribution

Student Contribution: $0.00
Parent Contribution: +$0.00
Expected Family Contribution: $0.00
Estimated Award Letter

Grant Award: $18,661.00 - $20,661.00
Self Help Award (Work/Loan): $7,500.00 - $9,500.00
Family Help Award $3,000.00 - $5,000.00
Estimated Total Price of Attendance

Tuition and Fees+$15,683.00
Room and Board+$12,545.00
Books and Supplies+$1,521.00
Other Expenses+$2,412.00
Total Cost of Attendance$32,161.00
Grant Award:- $19,661.00
Estimated Net Cost:$12,500.00

After looking more into th schools financial aid program, I found out about their Blue and Gold program, which idk if I qualify for, but it states that it would basically pay my tuition and fees for me. If I were to qualify under the program, would I be able to use the money that would originally have been for tuition from my financial aid for things like my room and board? I’m not sure if I’ll be attending the school yet, so I’m just looking into options. However, if I’ll still owe 12,500 a year after this “blue and gold” thing, that’ll really deter me from wanting to attend. Hopefully someone with insight on this program can help me, and I’m sorry for this post being so long but I’m trying to explore my options ahead of time. Thank you guys for your time.

2

Blue and Gold is not an actual scholarship…it’s a promise that your tuition and fees will be covered. In your case, your cal grant will cover tuition/fees and your Pell Grant will cover some of housing. You might get some UC grant (which is suggested by that grant range).

You will not still owe $12k…you’ll have loans and work study going towards that.

You and your family may have to pay a little bit, but that’s what summer earnings are for. You can’t expect the govt to pay for your toothpaste, shampoo, and pizza out with friends.

3

<<
Expected Family Contribution: $0.00
Estimated Award Letter

Grant Award: $18,661.00 - $20,661.00
Self Help Award (Work/Loan): $7,500.00 - $9,500.00
Family Help Award $3,000.00 - $5,000.00
Estimated Total Price of Attendance

Tuition and Fees+$15,683.00
Room and Board+$12,545.00
Books and Supplies+$1,521.00
Other Expenses+$2,412.00
Total Cost of Attendance$32,161.00

Grant Award:- $19,661.00
Estimated Net Cost:$12,500.00
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Grant Award: $18,661.00 - $20,661.00 Self Help Award (Work/Loan): $7,500.00 - $9,500.00 <<<

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You’re going to get about $27k of aid
How much are you earning/saving over the summer?
You can reduce your book costs by renting and/or buying used.
As for the “other expenses”…that’s travel costs, toiletries, and pocket money…you can control/reduce those costs by being thrifty. Bring enough toiletries to last the year (buying bulk/on sale/etc), and don’t nickel/dime yourself to death buying Starbucks, smoothies, etc.

Are you a transfer student or an incoming frosh?

You have a generous pkg. Don’t let your fears hold you back

4

I’m going to be a transfer student in about a year

5

I’m really a transfer student not because of costs but because I have no idea what I want to do with my life yet and what school I want to attend (great, right?) and I just didn’t want to commit to somewhere I’d end up not liking.

6

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because I have no idea what I want to do with my life


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Can you visit some of the UCs? Which ones are within a few hours of your home?

You don’t need to commit to anywhere right now. You’ll apply to a bunch of UCs in the fall and see where you get in. All the UCs are good and offer lots of majors, so not a big concern.

The UCs give better aid than the cal states so don’t go to a csu unless you can commute

What are your favorite and best subjects? What is your GPA

Since you’ll be a transfer student, you’ll get another $2k in loans…so you’re going to get about $29k of aid.

Next summer, be sure to get a job early in the summer and work/save to pay for your books, dorm fees, and some emergency money.