FAFSA
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Important Facts

• Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or grad school.

• The FAFSA is available for US citizens and eligible non-citizens (ie, permanent residents).

• You must file a FAFSA for each academic year to be considered for financial aid.

• The FAFSA application opens in December.

• The UC San Diego school code for your FAFSA is 001317.

• The U.S. Federal government, state of California, and UC San Diego all offer financial aid based on the FAFSA application. These offers could include grants, loans, or work-study.

• To receive priority funding, file your FAFSA no later than the priority filing deadline. For 2025-26 the extended deadline is April 2, 2025. 

• Students can continue to apply on or after April 2 for Federal and other limited financial aid consideration.

• The FAFSA requires tax information from the previous’ year’s tax return.

  • For the 2024-2025 academic year, we’re using the 2022 tax return information.

  • For the 2025-2026 academic year, we’re using the 2023 tax return information.

More Information and Help With FAFSA

• Completing the FAFSA
• Guide to federal student aid

If You're Applying for Continuing Aid

1. Reapply for student financial aid by filing the FAFSA on the Web starting in December, but no later than the priority filing deadline for the year. You'll be prompted to pre-fill your FAFSA from the previous year's application.

   • You need your FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.

2. Print out a confirmation after you renew the FAFSA online.

3. After your FAFSA is processed (within about 3 – 5 days), you'll receive an email to access your FAFSA Submission Summary.

   • Review the FAFSA Submission Summary carefully to make sure it's correct and complete.

   • Make sure the FAFSA Submission Summary lists UC San Diego (Title IV Code 001317) in the school section so that UC San Diego's Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA information.

   • Correct your FAFSA on the Web if you need to make changes or add UC San Diego's school code (001317).

4. If you haven't received an email to access your FAFSA Submission Summary within 2 weeks:

   • Check the status of your application online (even if you filed a paper FAFSA), or

   • Contact the Federal Student Information Center, (800) 4FED-AID (433-3243).

5. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office may ask you for additional documents to support the information on your FAFSA, so check your email often.

   • You must submit any additional documents to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office by the annual document deadline.

   • Your FAFSA is based in part on tax returns filed by you and your parents. If you or your parents file late, your FAFSA won't be processed until you file your final federal tax returns. This could affect your aid package, since financial aid is based on the availability of funds.

If You Need to Declare a Change of Circumstances From Your Income or Expenses

Change of circumstances can include loss of income, one-time only income, rent increase, car repairs, computer purchase, medical or dental costs, etc.

Complete your FAFSA with the information it’s requesting. After your FAFSA is complete, you can search our website under Forms and Resources to gather the correct appeal form. Complete the appeal form and provide all supporting documentation to our office and we will make the changes to your FAFSA application for you.

If Your Income or Expenses Change

1. File an appeal with UC San Diego's Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (not with FAFSA).

2. UC San Diego will review your appeal and make any adjustments to your awards.