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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are your office hours?

    For current hours and contact information please visit https://fas.ucsd.edu/contact/index.html.

  • Where can I get my 1098-T form?

    For information on accessing the 1098-T please visit https://sfs.ucsd.edu/student-accounts/1098-t.html.

  • When do I get my financial aid money?

    Financial aid disburses about 10 days before the beginning of instruction at the beginning of each quarter. If your financial aid file is complete, and you’re enrolled in units for the quarter (12 units to ensure full disbursement, waitlisted units do not count), then you can expect any remainder financial aid refund to pay around the first week of instruction each quarter. For more refund questions please visit https://sfs.ucsd.edu/student-accounts/refunds.html.

  • How do I know if additional documents are needed from me?

    You can view the financial aid items needed in the same place where you would see your award offer. From TritonLink, go to the section “Financial Tools” and then select “Financial Aid” to get to your award offer. Review the Required Documents and Tasks area for details on forms or documents that are needed. If you find nothing is listed in this section, generally that means your file is complete.

    We also send emails to your UC San Diego email address with important updated and notifications for any additional required information. Please check your UC San Diego email often.

  • How do I set up direct deposit?

    Direct deposit can be set up via the Direct Deposit tool on TritonLink.

  • How do I qualify for Blue and Gold?

    If you are eligible, your UC systemwide tuition and fees will be fully covered by scholarship or grant money. The plan combines all sources of scholarship and grant awards you receive (federal, state, UC and private) to go toward covering your tuition and fees. For more information on eligibility criteria please visit https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/tuition-financial-aid/types-of-aid/blue-and-gold-opportunity-plan.html.

    Note: for example, if you are receiving Cal Grant, then you will not be eligible for the Blue and Gold award since your tuition is already being covered by Cal Grant.

  • How do I accept my financial aid?

    Log into TritonLink and navigate to the financial aid page by going to the section “Financial Tools” and then “Financial Aid.” There you will have access to your award offer for the school year. You will be given the option to accept or decline the awards that are offered to you. After you have reviewed your awards and approve/decline each award, make sure to click the orange button to complete the acceptance process.

  • How do I apply for financial aid? Am I eligible for financial aid?

    You can apply for financial aid every year by completing the annual FAFSA or California Dream Act application To be eligible for the best financial aid, you want to complete your application prior to March 4th each year.

  • How do I use my work-study?

    Work-study is a great way to earn money while in school. If you are awarded work-study, you must accept the award to be able to use it. You then will need to find a job via the Career Services website. Upon accepting a position, your work-study funds will be issued to you via a paper check/direct deposit every two weeks. Work-study students are generally allowed up to 20 hours of work per week, depending on the work-study assignment.

  • What if my financial aid does not cover my fees?

    If your financial aid is not enough to cover your fees, then you can take advantage of our payment plan option. The Triton Registration Installment Plan (TRIP) allows you to break up your remaining balance into monthly payments each quarter. For questions on TRIP please contact Student Financial Solutions (SFS) at https://sfs.ucsd.edu.

  • I am going through a financial emergency, can I get help?

    Please stop by our office and speak to a counselor. We do have ways to assist you or put you in touch with the right resources to assist you.

  • Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

    Yes, you must complete a FAFSA or Dream Act Application each year. The applications become available in October and you want to make sure to complete it before March 4th each year.

  • When is the deadline to apply for financial aid?

    The priority deadline date for Institutional aid (grant/loan) and Work-study consideration is to apply for financial aid is March 2nd. However, if you didn’t apply by then, you can still complete the application at any time during the academic year for federal aid consideration.

  • What happens to the financial aid that is left over after my fees are paid?

    If all your fees are paid, and if a credit balance is created, then you can expect left over funds to be refunded back to the student by Student Financial Solutions (SFS). You have the choice of setting up direct deposit or receiving a paper check. For more information on refunds please visit https://sfs.ucsd.edu/student-accounts/refunds.html.

  • I am expecting to receive outside assistance (scholarships, fellowships, loans, etc.). How will these affect my financial aid?

    If you receive scholarships, keep in mind that the scholarship money has to be accounted for in your annual estimated Cost of Attendance. Your other financial awards may be replaced with scholarship money, first reducing any unmet need in your financial aid package, then your other awards in the following order going against your financial need: university loan, work-study, parent PLUS loan, student loans, grants. Generally any scholarship money that replaces a loan reduces your future loan debt.

  • If I don't work, do I have to give the work study money back?

    If you don’t work and you don’t earn your work study money, there are no penalties. This is not something you pay, instead it’s a way for you to earn money while going to school.

  • Where do I mail scholarship checks?

    Scholarship checks should be mailed to the following address:

    Student Financial Solutions
    9500 Gilman Drive Dept. 0026
    La Jolla, CA 92093-0026
    Attn: Scholarships

  • What type of aid is available for summer?

    Limited Summer financial aid is available. Summer awards may include Pell grant, student loans, parent loans, private loans and/or UC San Diego grant funding are available for use in the summer. For more information visit https://fas.ucsd.edu/summer-session.

  • Do I need to complete a loan promissory note for a federal loan every year?

    No, your Master Promissory Note for your federal loans is generally good for 10 years. You only need to do this document one time based on your years in school.

  • How do I apply for a federal parent loan (PLUS)?

    To apply for a PLUS visit https://studentaid.gov/. The parent can request a loan amount up to the Parental Contribution amount that’s listed on the award offer.

  • How do I apply for a federal student loan?

    An annual FAFSA must be completed and on file with our school. Federal student loans are offered and can be accepted via the student’s online award offer on TritonLink. A Master Promissory Note and Entrance Loan Counseling will need to be completed for the loan to pay out.

  • How will my private loan be disbursed?

    Private loans are certified by our office and are set to disburse a third of the loan amount, at the beginning of each quarter.

  • Who can I talk to about VA (veteran) questions?

    You can reach out to our Student Veteran Benefits Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office at vao@ucsd.edu. They will be able to answer all your VA questions.

  • Why haven't the loans I accepted disbursed?

    If your loans haven’t paid out, it could be because your file is incomplete. Please check your award offer and see if there are any recommended tasks to complete. If all your tasks are complete, please check your enrollment. You must be enrolled in at least six units for your loans to start to pay (waitlisted units do not count as enrolled).

  • If I am not enrolled full time, will my financial aid be affected?

    If you are not enrolled full time, and if you’re a Pell Grant or Cal Grant recipient, then your financial aid will pay less, based on the number of units that you’re enrolled in. If you have at least six units, then you can expect your student loans to pay.

  • If I do not accept my loan now, can I accept it at a later date?

    Yes, you have the option to decline your loan now and then accept it later. You can accept your student loans up until just before the end of the school year (generally mid-May).

  • I applied for a parent loan; how will I know when it has been processed?

    Parents are notified via email by the Department of Education if the loan was approved, and if not the options to see an approval next steps. Once you receive the decision email, then you can expect the parent loan to start to pay once financial aid disbursement begins for the academic year (about 10 days before instruction begins each term). The Parent must complete a Parent PLUS Master Promissory Note before any money will be disbursed.

  • If my parent loan is denied, what other financial aid options do I have?

    In the event the Parent PLUS loan is denied, you can email our office and let us know. Most dependent students will be eligible for additional unsubsidized loan money after the parent’s been denied. You will need to email our office to let us know of the denial and to request the additional unsubsidized loan money.

  • What happens if I withdraw from school before the term is over?

    A withdrawal calculation will be performed within 45 calendar days of last date of attendance to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to keep, and if the campus is required to bill any financial aid. The calculation is based on the last date of attendance. The funds that you’re not eligible to keep will be sent back to the Department of Education and in some cases, this may create a bill for the student. An email is sent once the calculation is processed and at that time you can check your billing statement for any account adjustments.