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Prospective Students

As a first-year applicant, you must earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and satisfy these requirements.

Current Students

Learn about the important dates that you'll encounter throughout the application process.

Special Cases

Our goal is to identify and admit students who are fully prepared to excel in our challenging academic environment.

The First Step

The first step to apply for financial aid is to submit the appropriate application, ideally by the priority deadline.

  • The FAFSA is available for US citizens and eligible non-citizens (ie, permanent residents).
  • The California Dream Act Application is available for undocumented students who qualify for the AB540 fee exemption.

FAFSA

Dream Act

Student Jumping in front of library

Video Resources

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Videos focus on applying for financial aid and offer tips on other methods of financing your education.

UC YouTube Resources

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Higher Education videos for Financial Aid & Student Services.

FA TV

Calendar 

Spring 2025

April 11: Spring 2025 Financial Aid Unit Freeze

May 1: 2025-26 Continuing student additional document deadline

May 1: Deadline for 2025-26 first-year admits to accept UC San Diego's offer of admission

May 15: Spring 2025 earned 100% Federal financial aid

May 15: 2024-25 Academic year deadline to accept loans and submit Special Circumstances and Unusual Circumstances appeals

May 26: Office Closed: Memorial Day

June 13: Last day of Spring 2025

June 15: 2025-26 Newly Admitted student additional document deadline

Academic Calendar

News

Summer Session 2025 Financial Aid: For information on all this Summer financial aid related visit Summer Session.

Cal Grant eligible but no Cal Grant on Tritonlink? Log into Webgrants 4 Students to confirm or change your school of attendance to UC San Diego (school code 001317). Be sure to complete any verifications or forms that are outstanding to ensure timely disbursement of your grant.

For information on Housing and Financial Aid visit: Housing and Your Aid (ucsd.edu)

2025-26 FAFSA and CADAA applications. While April 2, 2025 was the 2025-26 priority filing deadline for eligible students for state and institutional financial aid consideration, we still encourage eligible students to file for 2025-26 federal aid. 

Monitor your ucsd email for important updates.

UC San Diego is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.