Skip to main content
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS FAS
  1. HOME
  2. Applying
  3. Graduate Students
  4. Packaging Policy

Packaging Policy Graduate Students

How Packaging Works

Financial assistance for graduate students at UC San Diego is usually one or more of the following types:

  • Graduate Division support (fellowships, stipends, fee awards), awarded by your academic department

  • If you're eligible for financial aid and file a FAFSA, Federal Direct Loans (Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS)

  • Note: if eligible to file the CA Dream Act Application you may be eligible for the Dream Loan.

The law requires the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to coordinate your financial aid awards with all university support awarded by your department and the Graduate Division. Your university support includes any of the following awarded by your or any other department:

  • Assistantships (TAs, GSRs, Associates, and staff employment titles)
  • Fellowships and traineeships
  • Fee and tuition payments
  • Stipends

How UC San Diego Coordinates Your Financial Aid and Other Support

After your department has determined the amount of your university support and has reported it to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will determine your financial aid eligibility by taking this University support into account.

Make Sure You

  • Access and review your financial aid awards via the Financial Aid tool to verify the types and amounts of support listed. Incomplete or incorrect information will affect your eligibility for all or part of the financial aid awarded to you.

  • Notify the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office about any omissions or discrepancies in the university support listed on your Financial Aid Award Confirmation. Send an e-mail, or report university support via Financial Aid tool: While on the Financial Aid Checklist page, choose the link "Reporting of Additional Resources."

    • If you receive additional university support not listed on your financial aid award confirmation your financial aid will be reduced, requiring you to repay aid received or to return/ cancel loans.

Adjustments to Your Awards

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will adjust your awards throughout the academic year as any additional university support is later reported.

Make Sure You

  • Notify the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office immediately if the source or amount of your support changes in subsequent quarters, even if the total dollar amount remains the same.

  • Ask the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for advice on how your university support can affect your financial aid awards, so you can plan accordingly and avoid a financial crisis.

  • Notify the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office about any omissions or discrepancies in the university support listed on your Financial Aid Award Confirmation.

Your expected family contribution (EFC) is determined by the U.S. Department of Education's Central Processing System, using formulas determined by Congress and written into public law. Your own EFC is calculated based on the information you provide in your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or for the California Dream Loan based on the information provided on the CA Dream Act Application.

Read the packaging policy for graduate students to learn more about the various ways UC San Diego helps you cover your costs.