<p>First time trying to navigate through the UC financial aid process, and am trying to understand how all of these programs work together, or not.</p>
<p>According to the UC websites, we qualify for the Blue & Gold program, but probably not a CalGrant. We completed the FAFSA and CalGrant apps, just in case.</p>
<p>Does Blue & Gold in lieu of CalGrant, or does it supplement it? If we don't qualify for CalGrant, will we get full 'tuition' amount as the Blue & Gold?</p>
<p>If there is anyone else that has been through this, much appreciation for some guidance.</p>
<p>Blue&Gold works essentially the same as Cal Grant. By that I just mean that it will only cover tuition/fees. There’s really nothing to supplement except for the additional fees that each individual UC charges on top of the statewide fees.</p>
<p>My personal experience and my observations of others has been that this is more often than not covered by each individual UC’s own grant money. Also, before I had Cal Grant applied to my aid package, I had Blue&Gold in it. Once Cal Grant was added, there was no more Blue&Gold. This seems to say to me it only covers the statewide fees, but I fully admit I am unsure in this area and the UCs are not incredibly forthcoming with this information. Blue&Gold almost seems to be kept purposely vague…</p>
<p>You’ll have to wait to see your aid package, but if you do qualify for Blue&Gold (and not Cal Grant), you should see at least those statewide fees covered by Blue&Gold.</p>
<p>EDIT: It is only systemwide fees. Found something that mentions it on UCLA’s website while I was looking for something else for someone.</p>
<p>So apparently Blue&Gold counts any other grant money you receive as part of its on plan? Interesting thing I just learned tonight… Blue&Gold sounds more and more like a publicity stunt the more information I read that is finally published about it…</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification. It does seem like it is kept purposefully muddy. My husband called on of the UC financial aid office and was still confused after the call!</p>
<p>I guess the least we can count on from UCs is the system wide fees. That is something anyway!</p>
<p>It does help a lot :). Those fees are rather hefty. Even knowing I’m covered by Cal Grant every quarter so far has not stopped my heart from skipping every time I see one of my bills from UCSC.</p>
<p>Systemwide fees are the ones that are charged by each UC. This is around $10k. The other fees are UC specific fees (not “state” fees since that would be the systemwide fees). These include fees such as health insurance and fees that have been voted on for that particular UC by its students (example: UCSC voted in a fee increase to keep our library open longer hours). UCSC has an additional $2k-$3k in fees on top of the systemwide fees.</p>
<p>OK, now that it’s time to start receiving financial awards, I’m getting a bit confused:</p>
<p>According to the UC website, the qualifications for the Blue & Gold program are:
Demonstrate income below $70,000 ($80,000 beginning in 2011-12) with financial need, as determined for federal need-based aid program</p>
<p>Does this mean that since we didn’t qualify for Cal Grants (assets over threshold, but income under) that we aren’t determined to have financial need, therefore we won’t be eligible for EITHER Cal Grant or Blue and Gold?</p>
<p>If so, that would be quite a blow. Our assets are only a bit over because we have some college savings in our child’s name (probably a big mistake now).</p>
<p>Has anyone else been in this scenario? Were you able to get Blue and Gold?</p>
I know this post is a little old, but I’m having difficulty trying to understand my aid situation. I received cal grant A and the blue and gold package, however, I went to UCI to inquire about living situation and they said I can’t receive both aid. Has anyone came across this problem ? I need a place to live around campus, so I thought this aid would help out tremendously, but if this is true then I’ll be facing a nightmare. Please help!
It is always best to start a new thread with your own details rather that post to one that is years old. We don’t want to have to read years old threads to get to your question. Please start a new discussion in future.
What exactly does your award letter say? UCI is right, you get tuition and fees paid from EITHER cal grant or blue&gold. You don’t need tution covered twice anyway and those are tution/fee awards only.
Those aids don’t cover living expense. You may get additional aid for living from the university, you may get Pell grant and you can use your student loan. What does your award letter say? Copy/paste it here.
^ Blue & Gold exists because Cal Grant doesn’t cover all tuition + fees. Yes, it covers most. But not all. Blue & Gold supplements the Cal Grant.
That’s if the student qualifies for a CG, though. Blue & Gold and the Cal grant have similar but different requirements, I think. It doesn’t happen often, but students who don’t qualify for a Cal Grant can still sometimes qualify for Blue and gold. in that case, B&G covers all tuition and fees.
Look the new poster thinks Blue & Gold is some specific grant and it isn’t. If @mjvilla will post the award, there will be cal grant and possibly university grants in addition to any federal aid so we can see what is given.