Enrollment Requirements
Prospective Undergraduates

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.

You're eligible for federal financial aid if you're a:

• U.S. citizen
• U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa and Swain's Island).
• U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551 or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card).
• Conditional permanent resident with a Conditional Green Card (I-551C).
• Student who has an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the INS with one of the following designations:
  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Indefinite Parole and/or Humanitarian Parole
  • Cuban-Haitian Entrant (Status Pending)
  • Conditional Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)

You are not eligible for federal financial aid if:

• You have only a Notice to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464)
• You're in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa only
• You're in the United States on an J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only
• You have a G-series visa

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.

• For more details, read UC San Diego's Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards for Financial Aid Eligibility (PDF).

• If you don't meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (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.

• Check your Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loan History.

Before funds can be disbursed, most types of aid require enrollment in at least 6 units per quarter and 6 units during Summer Session.

• Read more about UC San Diego's Undergraduate Enrollment Requirements and how they affect various types of financial aid and the amount you'll receive.

• Some awards may be pro-rated or not disbursed at all if you're not enrolled full time.