Current Undergraduates
- Eligibility Requirements
- Cost of Attendance
- How You Receive Your Financial Aid
- Financial Aid Timeline
Students of all class levels should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to be considered for all types of federal and state aid: grants, work-study, student and parent loans, and some scholarships. For California Dream Act Applicants, instead of the FAFSA you will need to complete the annual CA Dream Act application for state and institutional financial aid.
The 2024-25 state priority funding deadline is May 2, 2024. We strongly encourage all students to complete their aid application no later than May 2, 2024 to ensure timely financial aid information for 2024-25. Eligible late filers will be considered for federal funding only.
The 2025-26 institutional and state priority funding deadline is extended to April 2, 2025. We strongly encourage all students to complete their aid application no later than April 2, 2025 to ensure timely financial aid information for 2025-26. Eligible late filers will be considered for federal funding only.
Pell Grant is calculated based on the enrollment intensity percentage.Enrollment intensity is a percentage that represents how many units you are taking compared to a full-time course load. See chart below:
Units Enrolled | Enrollment Intensity- % of Pell |
---|---|
12 or more (Full time) | 100% |
11 (3/4 time) | 92% |
10 (3/4 time) | 83% |
9 (3/4) time | 75% |
8 (1/2 time) | 67% |
7 (1/2 time) | 58% |
6 (1/2 time) | 50% |
5 (less that 1/2 time) | 42% |
4 (less that 1/2 time) | 33% |
3 (less that 1/2 time) | 25% |
2 (less that 1/2 time) | 17% |
1 (less that 1/2 time) | 8% |
These grant amounts are reduced if you're enrolled in less than 12 units and pay out according to the number of enrolled units:
Please note: the enrollment criteria for the UC San Diego Part-time fee reduction program is separate from the federal, state and institutional financial aid disbursement requirements. If enrolled in less than half-time (6 units) students are not eligible for institutional grant and initial loan disbursements for the quarter.
These loan funds are based on your actual number of enrolled units at the time of disbursement.
If you're enrolled as a "limited status" or post baccalaureate student (returning to UC San Diego after graduation), you may be eligible for limited funding in the form of Direct Loan. For eligible students, the Direct Loan annual limits are $7,500 combined subsidized and/or unsubsidized for dependent students, with no more than $5,500 subsidized. The annual limit for an independent student is $12,500, combined subsidized and/or unsubsidized, with no more than $5,500 subsidized.
The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will verify your Social Security number with the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Note: The requirements for satisfactory academic progress for financial aid recipients may differ from the requirements for UC San Diego's minimum progress policy.
You must maintain progress toward a degree to receive and remain eligible for financial aid.
This progress includes a 2.0 cumulative GPA and credit for 36 units during the academic year. You can't receive more than 8 units of "U" (unsatisfactory) grades.
For more details and requirements, read UC San Diego's Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid Eligibility (PDF).
If you don't meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards:
You must maintain SAP standards and must also meet with an academic advisor for a progress plan at the beginning of the year.
If you fail to meet SAP standards, you will lose your financial aid eligibility.
"Default" means a failure to make loan payments or otherwise honor a loan's terms. Loan defaults are reported to credit bureaus and can influence future credit and your ability to receive financial aid.
Before funds can be disbursed, you must be enrolled in at least 6 units per quarter or Summer Session.
Even though your financial aid may be disbursed while you're enrolled in only 6 units per quarter, you must still meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines.
A student cannot receive federal and state financial aid for repeating a course a second time if the course was previously passed. If you are a financial aid recipient planning on taking a course as a second repeat you are advised to consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office regarding any effect to your financial aid eligibility. Visit the Registrar's website for more information on repeating a course.