UC Financial Aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - GENERAL
1

I come from a single parent family and my mom’s income is only a couple dollars above the federal guideline for low-income family, unfortunately…which is why I am very scared about not getting financial aid because she lost her job for two years and we had little saving. I heard from friends that some UC’s offer full-ride financial aid including boarding and tuition. Is that true and what program is that? Which forms/application besides FAFSA do I need to fill out. I am totally clueless about this so please help!

Thank you!

2

Are you a California resident?

FASFA will determine if you qualify for federal grants such as Pell Grants. If you are a California resident, you should be eligible for Cal Grants also.

I would run the Net Price Calculator for several of the UC’s based on your Mother’s income to see what you get in regards to grants, work study and student loans. Here is the NPC for UCSB:

http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/net-price-calculator

Here is more information on UC financial aid: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/how-aid-works/

Remember you may qualify for financial aid for the UC’s but you also need to have the academic stats to be accepted.

3

@Gumbymom
I am a CA resident and my unweighted GPA is 3.94. I am filling out FAFSA but is there another application for full ride?
Thank you!

4

No there is no other application for a full ride and the UC’s really do not give much merit scholarships if that is what you are asking. The UC’s do give Regents which is for the top 1% of applicants. You will be invited for an interview (for some schools like UCB) or notified you received Regents automatically around February/March. Did you run the NPC’s?

There are scholarships on each schools website that you could apply. Did you take a look at the link I provided?
The UC’s state in their financial aid section that all students will be expected to make some contribution towards the education be it in the form of work study, student loans or parent loans.

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/how-aid-works/student-scenarios/index.html

If you want a full ride, check this link: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/

5

Someone told me that he filled out a form and got the full-ride to UCB so I am just wondering if I missed a particular financial aid. Now I know what is going on.Thank you!

6

Ask “the someone” what form they filled out. There are several merit scholarships available on the UCB website.

http://financialaid.berkeley.edu/berkeley-undergraduate-scholarship

7

Look into the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/glossary/blue-and-gold/

Federal aid that you qualify for will show up after you fill out the fafsa and be awarded to you from the UC. You will also qualify for work study. File the fafsa as soon as possible after January 1. You can submit it with estimated income. After your family files their tax returns, you can update the fafsa. Good luck and if you have questions while filling out the forms, ask here!