Scholarships for Entering First-Year Students

How to Apply

Follow these instructions to apply for the UC San Diego first-year student scholarships listed below:

File your UC Application for Admissions and Scholarships by the November 30 deadline.
For financial need scholarships, file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), OR if AB540 eligible, and unable to file a FAFSA, file a California Dream Application by the May 2 extended deadline. Do not file both.
Additional requested financial aid documents are due July 1.
Based on the information you provided in steps 1 and 2 above, UC San Diego will consider you for any UC San Diego scholarships for which you qualify.
Eligibility is limited to United States citizens, permanent residents, or California Dream Act students.
Check your application status online using the Applicant Portal.

In addition to the UC San Diego scholarships below, also apply for Outside Agency Scholarships.
Foster youth (or former foster youth) should apply for the Hope Scholars Program.
Scholarships are awarded on a very competitive basis.

Types of Scholarships

You may qualify for 2 types of scholarships: merit scholarships and restricted scholarships.

First-Year merit scholarships: Merit scholarships are based solely on academic achievement as reflected in your UC admissions application. Link to details about these merit scholarships:
- Regents Scholarship
- Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship
- National Merit Scholarship (no longer sponsored by UC San Diego)
First-Year restricted scholarships: Restricted scholarships are awarded on academic merit plus additional criteria such as demonstrated financial need, field of interest, or leadership. If selected, you may need to provide supporting documentation to verify how you meet the restricted criteria. All personal and medical information remains confidential. Unless marked otherwise, the following are restricted scholarships:

Chancellor's Scholarships for Entering First-Year Scholarships

Learn about the Chancellor's Scholarships, 4-year scholarships awarded to outstanding entering first-year students.

Regents Scholarships for Entering First-Year Scholarships

Learn about the Regents Scholarship, a 4-year scholarship awarded to selected entering first-year students.

Regents Scholarship (merit-based)

The Regents Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded to undergraduate students at the University of California. Regents Scholarships are merit scholarships, selected on the basis of academic excellence. Entering freshmen receive a $20,000 honorarium paid at $5,000 per year in each of their 4 undergraduate years (plus other special privileges).

Read more about the Regents Scholarship: who's eligible, and a detailed list of awards and privileges.

Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship (merit-based)

Eligibility:	Entering first-year student based on academic merit.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

UC San Diego Athletic Scholarship

Eligibility:	UC San Diego intercollegiate student-athletes who meet required academic criteria. Contact coaches within specific intercollegiate sport program for additional information.
Award amount and term:	Variable.

James Avery Scholarship

Eligibility:	Undergraduate African-American students majoring in the performing arts.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

Black Alumni Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering African-American students based on academic merit.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

Clayton H. Brace Scholarship

Eligibility:	An entering first-year student with an interest in communications.
Award amount and term:	A 1-year award up to $1,000.

Chancellor's Associates Scholarship: The Preuss School UC San Diego, Lincoln High School, Gompers Preparatory Academy

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students who are graduates of The Preuss School UC San Diego, Gompers Preparatory Academy, and Lincoln High School (UC San Diego CREATE Partnership High Schools) who have been admitted to UC San Diego as entering first-year students, meet the UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Program (CA Residents with a total family income of less than $80,000 with financial need, for the academic year not including Summer Sessions along with any additional requirements as outlined by UC Office of the President).
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Eligibility:

Entering first-year students who are graduates of The Preuss School UC San Diego, Gompers Preparatory Academy, and Lincoln High School (UC San Diego CREATE Partnership High Schools) who have been admitted to UC San Diego as entering first-year students, meet the UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Program (CA Residents with a total family income of less than $80,000 with financial need, for the academic year not including Summer Sessions along with any additional requirements as outlined by UC Office of the President).

Award amount and term:

A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Chancellor's Associates Scholarship: Enrolled Members of Federally Recognized Tribes

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, admitted to UC San Diego. Submit a Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application Considered a California Resident for Tuition Purposes Documentation that will be requested to verify status Certification of tribal enrollment on tribal letterhead OR Enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or signature of a tribal leader OR Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information OR Tribal identification card with enrollment number
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Eligibility:

Entering first-year students who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, admitted to UC San Diego.

Submit a Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application
Considered a California Resident for Tuition Purposes
Documentation that will be requested to verify status
- Certification of tribal enrollment on tribal letterhead OR
- Enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or signature of a tribal leader OR
- Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information OR
- Tribal identification card with enrollment number

Award amount and term:

A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Chancellor's Associates Scholarship: Reality Changers

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students who are members of Reality Changers, who participated in UC San Diego Academic Connections, who have been admitted to UC San Diego as first-year students, meet the UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Program (CA Residents with a total family income of less than $80,000 with financial need for the academic year not including Summer Sessions along with any additional requirements as outlined by UC Office of the President).
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Eligibility:

Entering first-year students who are members of Reality Changers, who participated in UC San Diego Academic Connections, who have been admitted to UC San Diego as first-year students, meet the UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Program (CA Residents with a total family income of less than $80,000 with financial need for the academic year not including Summer Sessions along with any additional requirements as outlined by UC Office of the President).

Award amount and term:

A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Chancellor's Scholarship

Read more about the Chancellor's Scholarships: who's eligible, and a detailed list of awards and privileges.

CREATE Undergraduate Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students who've graduated from a San Diego high school participating in the UC San Diego CREATE program.
Award amount and term:	A 1-year award up to $500.

Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering students based on demonstrated academic merit and financial need, with a preference for first-generation college students.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

Jendy Dennis Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students, graduates of a San Diego County High School, financial need, are first generation college students or are eligible AB540/DACA students. Preference for students in Math, Science or Engineering Majors.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $5,000.

Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering students based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Award amount and term:	Up to $5,000 per year.

Kelly J. Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility:	Graduates of Menlo Atherton High School Graduates of a high school in the Sequoia Union High School District
Award amount and term:	Varies.

Lytle Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students, graduates of UC San Diego Preuss School, with community service, financial need, are first generation college students, and have demonstrated academic achievement.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

Claude and Irene McFarland Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering Native American students.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

Dr. A.R. Moossa Scholarship

Eligibility:	Pre-medical students who plan a career as a physician, have demonstrated financial need, and are full-time students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $8,000, paid at up to $2,000 per year.

Sheila Owens-Collins Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering African-American student pursuing studies in the life sciences.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

George Parker Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students with financial need who were orphaned for at least 3 years prior to the age of 18, and/or to students who were raised in foster care for at least 3 years immediately prior to the age of 18.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $8,000, paid at up to $2,000 per year. The scholarship is renewable each year, provided students continue full-time undergraduate enrollment at UC San Diego and remain in good academic standing.
Other:	You must show evidence of financial need and evidence of orphan or foster care status.

Gerald and Inez Grant Parker Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility:	An outstanding UC San Diego entering first-year student from a San Diego or Imperial County high school who has made valuable contributions through community service.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $3,000.

Mary Pillot Scholarship

Eligibility:	Meritorious graduates of San Jose High Academy in San Jose, California, as nominated by the high school principal.
Award amount and term:	A 1-year award up to $600.

Preuss School Scholarships at UC San Diego

Eligibility:	Graduates of the Preuss School who've been admitted to UC San Diego and who have high financial need.
Award amount and term:	Varies.
Other:	Jack in the Box Scholarship Janice and Steven Chaffin Scholarship Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship Patrick Ledden Scholarship Lytle Scholarship Preuss School Scholarship

Ray and Betty Ramseyer Scholarship

Eligibility:	An entering student with an interest in the social sciences.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

Rose Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility:	Graduates of San Diego County or Imperial County high schools who are historically underrepresented at UC campuses. Students must have demonstrated financial need, be full-time students, and must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

Shimotori Memorial Scholarship

Eligibility:	An entering first-year student with academic merit and demonstrated financial need.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $5,000 per year.

Student Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering students based on community service, with a preference for demonstrated financial need.
Award amount and term:	A 1-year award up to $2,000.

Ludwig and Ada Strauss Scholarship

Eligibility:	An academically outstanding entering first-year student, with preference given to a student with demonstrated financial need.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $5,000 per year.

Mary S. and Joseph W. Watson Scholarship

Eligibility:	Entering first-year students with financial need, from San Diego or Imperial County, with preference given to students who: Received their K-12 education in San Diego or Imperial County Are first-generation college students Are not receiving other privately funded UC San Diego scholarships Are majoring in physical sciences or arts and humanities
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

Eligibility:

Entering first-year students with financial need, from San Diego or Imperial County, with preference given to students who:

Received their K-12 education in San Diego or Imperial County
Are first-generation college students
Are not receiving other privately funded UC San Diego scholarships
Are majoring in physical sciences or arts and humanities

Award amount and term:

A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

Allene Huanani Wong Scholarship

Eligibility:	An entering first-year student from Hawaii, with a preference for students majoring in science, mathematics, or engineering.
Award amount and term:	A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Use this resource to find answers to all your frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions