Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office is serving students in-person, virtually and by phone. Please review our service hours and upcoming closures.
Contact UsProspective Students
As a first-year applicant, you must earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and satisfy these requirements.
Current Students
Learn about the important dates that you'll encounter throughout the application process.
Special Cases
Our goal is to identify and admit students who are fully prepared to excel in our challenging academic environment.
The First Step
The first step to apply for financial aid is to submit the appropriate application, ideally by the priority deadline.
Video Resources
Videos focus on applying for financial aid and offer tips on other methods of financing your education.
Calendar
January 5: Winter 2026 First day of classes
January 16: Winter 2026 Financial Aid Unit Freeze
January 19: Office closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 13: 2026-27 Continuing Student Scholarship Application scheduled release
February 16: Office closed: Presidents' Day
February 19: Winter 2026 earned 100% Federal Financial Aid
March 2: 2026-27 FAFSA and CADAA Priority filing deadline
March 13: Winter 2026 Instruction ends
March 14-21: Winter 2026 Finals week
March 27: Office Closed: César Chávez Day
April 2: 2026-27 Continuing Student Scholarship Application deadline
News
Cal Fresh/SNAP: for the latest information and assistance options for those impacted by the federal SNAP program visit the UC San Diego HUB Basic Needs Center.
Middle Class Scholarships Initial awarding of Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) is almost complete. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) requires campuses to confirm awards prior to disbursement to minimize awarding errors. Adjustments will be made based on changes to enrollment, cost of attendance or any other factor impacting award calculation through the rest of the academic year. Still missing your award? Please reach out beginning in early February if your funds are not yet awarded.
Adding or Dropping units? This can impact your financial aid and your bill Just a reminder, adjusting your enrollment this can impact your financial aid on TritonPay, please allow time for your bill to reflect any updates.
2025-26 Special Circumstances appeals for Cost of Attendance and Student Aid Index (SAI) Financial Aid are available.
2026-27 FAFSA and CADAA applications- Priority Filing Deadline March 2, 2026. File your 2026-27 FAFSA or CADAA today...don't forget the UC San Diego school code 001317.
2026-27 Continuing Student Scholarship Application is scheduled to be available February 13, 2026. The application deadline is April 2, 2026.
Monitor your UCSD email for important updates.
UC San Diego is committed to using the Principles & Standards of the College Cost Transparency Initiative in its student financial aid offer.