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:
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File your UC Application for Admissions and Scholarships by the November 30 deadline.
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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.
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Additional requested financial aid documents are due July 1.
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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.
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Eligibility is limited to United States citizens, permanent residents, or California Dream Act students.
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Check your application status online using the Applicant Portal.
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In addition to the UC San Diego scholarships below, also apply for Outside Agency Scholarships.
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Foster youth (or former foster youth) should apply for the Hope Scholars Program.
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Scholarships are awarded on a very competitive basis.
Types of Scholarships
You may qualify for 2 types of scholarships: merit scholarships and restricted scholarships.
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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:
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Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship
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National Merit Scholarship (no longer sponsored by UC San Diego)
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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. |
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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. |
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Award amount and term: |
Variable. |
James Avery Scholarship
Eligibility: |
Undergraduate African-American students majoring in the performing arts. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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.
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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). |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Award amount and term: |
Up to $5,000 per year. |
Kelly J. Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility: |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Award amount and term: |
Varies. |
Other: |
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Ray and Betty Ramseyer Scholarship
Eligibility: |
An entering student with an interest in the social sciences. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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:
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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. |
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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.