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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), offered 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 offers with all university support offered by your department and the Graduate Division. Your university support includes any of the following offered 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 offer 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 offered to you.

  • Notify the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office about any omissions or discrepancies in the support listed on your financial aid offer by submitting an update through the UC San Diego Services & Support Portal.

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

Adjustments to Your Offer

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will adjust your offer 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 offer, 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 offer.