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Financial Aid Timeline
2026-27 Prospective Undergraduates

The financial aid process begins in October during the time of applying for admission to UC San Diego. Use this timeline to keep track of important filing deadlines and other events during the year before you enter UC San Diego.

October

Register for your FSA ID from the Department of Education so you can electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and your parents can both register for an FSA ID.

  • The FAFSA is available. Make sure to list UC San Diego school code 001317 on the application, so UC San Diego will receive your information.

    • Learn more about FAFSA.

    • Students who have a Social Security Number must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should not complete both applications.

    • The Dream Act Application is an application for state and university aid. It is not an application for federal financial aid. The application is for:

      • AB540 eligible students.

      • Students who cannot file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

      • Students who attended at least three full years in a California public or private high school.

      • Graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the college term.

      • If without lawful immigration status, have or will file an affidavit with the college or university they are attending stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so. This affidavit is filed with the college they attend.

November

December

  • FAFSA Filers: Ensure that you have received your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) from the Department of Education.

      • Review the FSS for accuracy, and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed.

      • If necessary, correct your FAFSA online.

  • CA Dream Act Application filers: Ensure that you submitted your application through the California Student Aid Commissions (CSAC). After the initial successful submission of your application, the CSAC will send you an email with your nine-digit Dream ID number. If you haven’t received an email from us, be sure to check your spam/junk folders. Keep this number in a safe place; you will use your Dream ID number.

      • Review your application for accuracy and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed.

      • If necessary correct your CA Dream Act Application online through CSAC.

March

  • FAFSA deadline, March 2, midnight Central Daylight Time: Submit your FAFSA online to be considered for priority financial aid.

    • If you're mailing your FAFSA, make sure it's postmarked by March 2.

    • If you file after the March 2 deadline, you'll only be considered for Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, renewal Cal Grant, and Pell Grant.

  • California Dream Act Application deadline, March 2, midnight Central Daylight Time Submit your California Dream Application online to be considered for priority financial aid.

    • If you're mailing your California Dream Application, make sure it's postmarked by March 2 

    • If you file after the March 2 deadline, you may not be eligible for funding.

  • Cal Grant GPA verification deadline, March 2: Mail the Cal Grant GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission to be considered for the California State Grant (Cal Grant). Make sure it's postmarked by March 2.

  • If you listed UC San Diego on your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and you've been admitted to UC San Diego, your UC San Diego Financial Aid Estimate will be available online through the Applicant Portal. Your Financial Aid Estimate includes the College Financing Plan. Your official award will be available in the summer, after you've submitted your UC San Diego Offer of Admission.

  • Admitted freshmen: Log onto the Financial Aid tool for notification of UC San Diego scholarship awards.

April

  • If your FAFSA Submission Summary indicates you've been selected for verification: Complete the requested independent or dependent verification worksheet and submit it to the Financial Aid Office, along with any other open requirements.

May

  • UC San Diego’s Offer of Admission deadline for admitted freshmen, June 15: Accept admission to UC San Diego by submitting your UC San Diego Offer of Admission.

    • After your UC San Diego Offer of Admission is received, you can access your financial aid status and financial aid offer using the Financial Aid tool.

  • Admitted transfer students: Log onto the Financial Aid tool for notification of UC San Diego scholarship awards. 

  • Set up your UC San Diego e-mail account as soon as possible, and check your e-mail in-box often for important communications from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. These messages may include requests for additional information to complete your application or to view and accept your offered financial aid.

June

  • Additional documents/actions deadline, June 15: Check the Financial Aid tool for additional documents or required actions. Submit any additional documents by the deadline to qualify for the best financial aid. Additional documents/actions may include verification worksheets, using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to update your FAFSA, tax return transcripts, and resolving FAFSA processing holds indicated on your FAFSA Submission Summary.
  • UC San Diego’s Offer of Admission deadline for admitted transfer students, June 1: Accept admission to UC San Diego by submitting your UC San Diego Offer of Admission.
  • Continue to check your ucsd.edu e-mail account often for important e-mails from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
  • Begin saving money for expenses you'll need to pay before you receive your fall quarter financial aid. For more information visit our page on Financial Literacy.

July

  • If you've accepted a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, and/ or a Parent PLUS loan: Complete a separate promissory note for each program.

  • If you've accepted a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan:

  • Continue to review outside agency scholarships so you can meet application deadlines. Many require references, essays, and application forms that take time to complete. Carefully follow the instructions listed for each scholarship.

August

September

  • Enroll in direct deposit by the first week of September. As soon as university charges are taken from your account, any remaining award funds will be deposited directly into your bank account.