Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students at UC San Diego

# Financial Aid for Undergraduate Students at UC San Diego ## Overview UC San Diego’s Financial Aid & Scholarships Office offers a range of federal, state, and institutional aid to help undergraduates cover the cost of attendance. Students must submit either the FAFSA (for U.S. citizens or eligible non‑citizens) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) (for undocumented AB540‑eligible students) to receive an aid estimate. ## Eligibility - **U.S. citizens or eligible non‑citizens**: Must file the FAFSA. School code: 001317. - **Undocumented AB540‑eligible students**: Must file the CADAA. School code: 001317. - **International students**: Not eligible for federal aid; may explore campus support, external scholarships, and private loan programs. - **Military‑connected students**: May combine VA benefits with institutional aid; contact the Veterans Benefits office for details. ## Types of Aid - **Grants**: Need‑based awards that do not need to be repaid. - **Loans**: Federal and institutional loans that must be repaid. - **Scholarships**: Merit‑based or need‑based awards that do not need to be repaid. - **Work‑Study**: Employment opportunities to help cover educational costs. - **Other**: Summer session, study abroad, and exchange program funding. ## Filing Deadlines - **2026‑27 academic year**: Priority deadline March 2, 2026. - **2025‑26 academic year**: Priority deadline April 2, 2025. Students are encouraged to file by the priority deadline to secure the best available funding. Special Circumstances appeals may be submitted if financial circumstances change after filing. ## Special Considerations - **Undocumented students**: Must have approved AB540 status before filing CADAA. - **International students**: Should consult the International Students & Programs Office and explore external scholarship databases. - **Military‑connected students**: VA benefits may affect the financial aid offer; revisions can occur. ## Checklist for Applicants 1. Create an FSA ID on StudentAid.gov. 2. Gather 2024 income tax returns, investment records, SSNs, and other required documents. 3. Submit FAFSA or CADAA by the priority deadline. 4. Apply for external scholarships while awaiting aid offers. 5. Respond to any additional documentation requests promptly. ## Unknowns and Limitations - The exact award amounts for grants, loans, and scholarships are not specified in the source. - Eligibility criteria beyond those listed (e.g., specific income thresholds, asset limits) are not detailed. - The source text does not provide up‑to‑date information on policy changes after the stated deadlines. - No external verification of the information is provided; readers should consult the official UC San Diego Financial Aid website or contact the office directly for confirmation. ## Source Limitations The information is derived from a single, unverified source text. It may be incomplete, outdated, or contain errors. Users should cross‑check with official UC San Diego resources before making decisions. --- **Note**: This article does not guarantee the accuracy of the information and is provided for informational purposes only. Source: https://fas.ucsd.edu/applying/undergraduates/index.html Checked: 2026-10-04T09:00:09.462446+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.