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Prospective Undergraduates

Meeting the cost of an undergraduate education is a significant investment. At UC San Diego, we are committed to providing a comprehensive need-based financial aid program that makes it financially possible for admitted students to attend. Our admission program is need-blind, meaning, financial status will not affect the admission decision.

Learn more about the Finanical Aid process from the parent's perspective.

UC 2024-25 Priority Filing Deadline

The California State financial aid deadline requires GPA submission by March 4, and FAFSA or California DREAM application by April 2. 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

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

  • UC San Diego School Code: 001317

FAFSA Info

OR

Dream Act

  • UC San Diego School Code: 001317

Dream Act Info

If your financial circumstances have changed in 2023 compared to the 2022 year income information reported on your 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or CA Dream Act Application, there is a process to address these changes called the Special Circumstances appeal. Generally the form becomes available late Summer and is processed during the following Fall quarter. Once available, the form and instructions will be posted on our website at Forms (ucsd.edu) .

Useful Checklist

  • Gather the Information You Will Need to Complete the Financial Aid Application

    You and anyone contributing to your FAFSA or CADAA will need 2022 income tax returns (if eligible to file), records of investments and assets, Social Security Numbers*, child support information (if applicable), and other personal information. Learn more about FAFSA requirements for 2024-25 here.

  • FAFSA filers: Create your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov

    Your FSA ID is your username and password for your StudentAid.gov account. You and anyone contributing to your online FAFSA form* will need an FSA ID.

    *The Paper FAFSA Form: The paper FAFSA will still be available for 2024-25 and creating an FSA ID is not required for this option.

    NEW Process Effective December 2023: Parent(s) without a SSN will be able to create an FSA ID. Federal Student Aid will use TransUnion services to ask knowledge-based questions to help with identity verification. Examples of these questions may include current or former address, a previous phone number, an employer, or a home/auto loan.

  • Talk with your Contributors and Learn About Consent to Direct Data Exchange

    All contributors must provide consent for Federal Student Aid (FSA) to verify their identity and to access their Federal Tax Information (FTI) from the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) regardless of the 2022 filing status. All contributors will need to answer questions about income and assets.

  • Research and Apply for Scholarships

    One of the best ways you can spend your time as you await the financial aid application is to research and apply for scholarships. Scholarship searches and applications do take time, but every scholarship received helps reduce the cost of your education and may prevent you from having to take on student loan debt. Note: If you are not yet a UC student, your admissions application will act as your scholarship application for the academic year. However, we still encourage you to apply for outside scholarship opportunities.

  • Fullfill Institutional Requirements

    Submitting your FAFSA/CADAA is the first step to financial aid consideration, but your institution may request additional documentation in order to provide a financial aid offer. Please be sure to submit any document requests by your institution's priority deadline to avoid any delays.

  • Submit your FAFSA or CADAA by April 2, 2024 to receive 2024-25 financial aid offers in time to make an informed college choice!

Blue & Gold Guarantee

The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is the University of California’s commitment to covering your UC systemwide tuition/fees if you are a California resident, your family’s total income is less than $80,000 and you qualify for need based aid. Blue and Gold will cover only the tuition/fees that are not covered by existing gift aid.

Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

Eligibility & Enrollment Requirements

Learn what you need to do to be eligible to receive and keep undergraduate financial aid.

Cost of Attendance

Use this estimated cost of attendance to help decide how much money you'll need to attend UC San Diego and how much financial aid you may need to meet that goal.

Packaging Policy

Learn how the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office calculates how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, and in what order awards are made.

Timeline

Use this timeline to keep track of important filing deadlines and other events during the year before you enter UC San Diego.

How You Receive Your Financial Aid

Link to resources that can help you manage your financial aid award.

Summer Session

Enrolling in the appropriate summer session classes can help you make faster progress toward your degree.

Financial Aid Estimator

Net Price Calculator

Use this tool to see how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive for in the 2024-25 academic year.

Estimate Your Aid

Financial Aid Forms

Financial Aid Forms

Access printable financial aid and scholarship forms.

Financial Aid Forms

FA TV

FA TV

Higher Education videos for Financial Aid & Student Services.

FA TV Videos

YouTube

UC YouTube Resources

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

UC Videos

Financial Aid Resources

Financial Aid Resources

Link to financial aid and scholarship forms, definitions, and other resources.

Financial Aid Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Use this resource to find answers to all your frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions