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2023-24 Housing Frequently Asked Questions

Financial Aid packages are initially based on the Housing status reported on the annual FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. Students who listed university housing but do not have a university housing contract may be selected for housing verification.

  • On Campus
  • Off Campus
  • Living with Parent

As of September 30 selected students were sent an email to log into the Document Submission Tool to upload a copy of their lease by October 15, 2022. Again, in subsequent quarters students who listed university housing on their application but do not have a university housing may be required to submit a lease agreement. If you are required to submit a lease and have not created an account for the Document Submission Tool please visit https://faoforms.ucsd.edu/forms/DocumentSubmissionTool.pdf for instructions.

Please note that any housing status revision requests received after October 15, 2022 will be applied to the Winter 2023 and Spring 2023 quarter as applicable.

Please continue to keep an eye on your UC San Diego email and Financial Aid Tool on MyTritonLink for any important updates.

Yes, it will change slightly. The cost associated with Off Campus housing is included for financial aid. It is estimated to cost about $500 less per term than On Campus housing, depending on your entering term. See the current Undergraduate Cost of Attendance charts to compare total costs for the year.

Once you've received your award notification, accepted and completed financial aid will show as credits on your fall billing statement in early September.

  • The fall portion of the funds (a third of the total) will pay towards the fall bill.

  • If your financial aid funds exceed your bill, refunds are sent by Student Financial Solutions during the first week of class each term.

  • Enroll in direct deposit to get your refund faster

  • You should budget your refund for the entire quarter.

Emails were sent in October if you were selected for this process with instruction to upload your lease in the Financial Aid Document Submission Tool. For Winter, students selected for this process will be notified in December and the deadline to submit the lease is Friday, January 20. If you have not created an account for the Document Submission Tool please visit https://faoforms.ucsd.edu/forms/DocumentSubmissionTool.pdf for instructions.

No, unless you report changes we will use your self-reported Housing status on the annual FAFSA/CA Dream Act Application to generate your financial aid package.

If you did not indicate Living with Parents on your FAFSA/DREAM application, please email us at finaid@ucsd.edu to let us know you will be living at home. We'll adjust your financial aid accordingly. See the current Undergraduate Cost of Attendance charts to compare total costs for the year.

You will need to either live Off Campus or with your Parents. Please notify us what you decide to do (finaid@ucsd.edu).

As of October 2022, if you are living Off campus please provide a copy of your lease by October 15, 2022 to adjust your financial aid for the Fall 2022 quarter. Please note that any housing status revision requests received after October 15, 2022 will be applied to the Winter 2023 and Spring 2023 quarter as applicable.

The Housing office provides a website to assist students locating housing Off Campus in the event that the university is not able to house you On Campus https://offcampushousing.ucsd.edu.

There is a cost allowance of approximately $790 per month included in your financial aid for the costs associated with living with Parents. If you pay more than this and would like additional loan eligibility to help you cover your rent costs, submit a Cost of Attendance Appeal in the Financial Aid Document Submission tool. These forms will be available in September for the new year. Check the current year forms page for updated forms information and instructions.

Your future financial aid may be impacted. The annual FAFSA and CADAA require students to report their prior, prior year calendar year income and untaxed income, including wages and room and/or board compensation, which in turn may impact your financial aid eligibility. For example, for students filing the 2025-26 financial aid application, students must report their 2023 calendar year wages and the value of their 2023 calendar year room and board. The Financial Aid and Scholarships office will annually email students identified by Campus Housing with instructions and the amount to enter on their application, which along with the other information reported will be used to generate the annual financial aid offer for the upcoming school year.

Yes, financial aid is awarded up to a student's cost of attendance so changing your housing status will change your cost of attendance. See the current Undergraduate Cost of Attendance charts to compare total costs for the year. You can find out more about how financial aid packages are created here.

Examples: Financial Aid Adjustment Moving From On Campus to Living with Parent Based on 2022-23

Saul Triton

  1. Third year/Junior
  2. Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA is $0
  BEFORE: On Campus AFTER: Living with Parent
Estimated Cost of Attendance $36,966 $29,016
Expected Family Contribution $0 $0
Federal Pell Grant $6,895 $6,895
Cal Grant $12,570 $12,570
Subsidized Direct Loan $5,500 $5,500
Unsubsidized Direct Loan $1,000 $1,000
Work-Study $2,400 $2,038
University Grant $9,601 $0

*includes UC San Diego Student Health Fee: $2,013, if eligible late October may be eligible for additional financial aid.

Sally Triton

  1. Incoming first year
  2. Her Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA is $15,000
  BEFORE: On Campus AFTER: Living with Parent
Estimated Cost of Attendance $37,500 $29,550
Expected Family Contribution $15,000 $15,000
Federal Pell Grant $0 $0
Cal Grant $0 $0
Subsidized Direct Loan $3,500 $3,500
Unsubsidized Direct Loan $2,000 $2,000
Work-Study $2,100 $2,100
University Loan $700 $700
University Grant $14,200 $4,237

*includes UC San Diego Student Health Fee: $2,013, if eligible late October may be eligible for additional financial aid.