Financial Aid Terms

An offer notifying a financial aid applicant of the types and amounts of aid being offered, responsibilities, and the terms and conditions of each award.

A U.S. citizen, a U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa and Swain's Island), or a U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card); or a 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); or Conditional Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980).

• Students who have only a Notice to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464) are not eligible for federal student aid.
• Students in the U.S. on an F1 or F2 student visa only, J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only, or with a G series visa, are also not eligible for federal student aid.

The average, estimated educational costs for the academic year, also called cost of attendance. The Cost of Attendance (COA) includes:

• Direct Costs: Charges included in the cost of attendance that the student/family pays directly to the institution. Actual charges may vary by student. For example, students may have different housing options or may enroll in a part-time program.
• Indirect Costs: Estimated expenses in the cost of attendance that are not paid directly to the institution.

Estimated Cost of Attendance amounts are subject to change. Each portion of a student's individual cost of attendance is allocated to the categories listed below:

• Systemwide Tuition and Fees: Systemwide tuition and fees are a direct cost and part of the UC Tuition Stability Plan, which includes Tuition, the Student Services Fee, and undergraduate Nonresident Supplemental Tuition and will be assessed on a cohort basis for eligible students. Under the plan, these fees will remain flat for up to six years. For the purposes of assessing cohort-based charges, a student's cohort will be based upon the academic year in which a student first enrolls at UC as a degree-seeking undergraduate. For a full breakdown of tuition and fee amounts, please visit the UC San Diego Fees website.
• Campus-based Fees: This is a direct cost. These fees help fund a variety of student-related services, such as student government, student public transportation, building improvements, etc. Campus-based fees are established, increased or renewed by student vote in campus elections. For a full breakdown of tuition and fee amounts, please visit the UC San Diego Fees website.
• Health Fees: This is a direct cost. It is a charge billed to the student’s university student account, unless the student applies for and is approved for a waiver. This amount reflects the annual charge for the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), which covers an academic year.
• One-time document fee: This is a direct cost. It is a one-time charge billed to the student’s university student account for all new Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional domestic and international students.
• Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of the cost of books and school supplies (e.g., writing utensils, paper, course textbooks, etc.) while attending school.
• Food and Housing
  • Food and Housing (Living expenses) includes housing fees or rent, utilities, telephone, meals, and groceries. The three available housing types for undergraduates are as follows:
  • On-Campus Housing
    • For students with a recognized contract through UC San Diego Housing and who pay costs via your student account. This is a direct cost.
  • Off-Campus Housing
    • For students who sign a lease and typically pay rent on a month-to-month basis directly to the leasing entity, this is an indirect cost as it is not charged to the student’s university student account.
  • Living with Parents
    • A student who is living with a relative, usually a parent, is considered to be living at home. On the financial aid application, this is called Commuter. This expense is an indirect cost as it is not charged to the student’s university student account. Please note: The amount of grants and scholarships awarded are subject to change and may be prorated based on a student’s actual budget type. Changes to qualifying information or revisions of federal, state, or institutional policy may result in updates to aid eligibility and adjustments of financial aid offer.
  • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
    • This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of the cost of incidental expenses such as personal hygiene, laundry, clothing, and reasonable entertainment. Please note this section of the cost of attendance and financial aid may be adjusted if the student is enrolled less than half-time (i.e. less than 6 units).
  • Transportation Expenses
    • This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of transportation costs between campus, residences, place of work, and traveling to and from home on breaks, local transportation costs, etc., while attending school.

When a lender allows the borrower to temporarily postpone repaying the principal, usually because of economic hardship. Interest continues to accrue, even on subsidized loans. Must be applied for with the lender; not permitted for loans in default.

The fee charged to borrowers by lenders for using loan money.

One promissory note that covers all loans made by the same lender to the same borrower for the same loan program.

The progress a student must maintain toward a degree or certificate to receive and remain eligible for financial aid; the school's written standard of satisfactory academic progress. Read UC San Diego's Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines for undergraduates (PDF) and graduate students (PDF).

The procedure in which a college checks or verifies the information reported on the FAFSA, usually by requesting a copy of the parent's and/or the student's signed tax return.

Self-help aid, a federal- or state-subsidized student employment program.