When you’re admitted to UCLA, you and your family might have a lot of questions about how you’ll cover the costs of tuition, housing and other necessities. Our office is dedicated to helping each family create a strategy that works for them. Thanks to the numerous options available, your education is affordable.
Financial Aid Applications
Before you do anything else, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). Make sure you complete the application before the deadline of April 2. These applications become available in December each year, and they provide access to federal- and state-based financial aid programs for all eligible students.
FAFSA Simplification Act Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Start With Financial Aid and Scholarships
UCLA is committed to helping students finance their education.The Financial Aid and Scholarships office works closely with all students who need financial assistance. A financial aid award generally consists of a combination of scholarships and grant money from UCLA and other sources, low-interest loans and a work-study job during the academic year.
We recommend that you take the initiative to research the wide range of scholarship opportunities sponsored by outside organizations. Every year thousands of dollars go unawarded because students are not aware of these resources.
Here are a few resources to help you get started:
- Paying for UC
- Financial Aid Handbook (PDF)
- CA Dream Act (PDF)
Four Types of Financial Aid
Paying for your education should be a partnership between student, family and university. Check out the many ways you can cover your UCLA education.
1. Scholarships
UCLA offers financial support that may be awarded based on need, academic merit, background, specific talents or professional interests:
- UCLA Regents Scholarships (merit-based)
- UCLA Alumni Scholarships (merit-based)
- University Student Aid Program Funds (need-based)
Some other important scholarship resources include:
- Searchable scholarship databases: Fastweb, College Boardand Sallie Mae.
- UCLA Scholarship Resource Center: This unique center for current UCLA students helps you identify available scholarships, regardless of income level. Services include counseling and workshops.
Don’t forget to check organizations in your hometown, such as the Rotary Club and AmeriCorps, that offer scholarships for community service.
Related Links
- General scholarship program
- Undergraduate scholarships
2. Grants
Grants are a type of financial aid that recipients don’t have to repay. Sources include the federal and state governments, as well as UCLA. Most are awarded based on need and require submission of FAFSA or CA Dream Act by the deadline of April 2, 2024.
Available to California residents only:
- University of California Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
- Cal Grants
- Middle Class Scholarship Program (MCSP)
Available to all U.S. residents:
- Pell Grants (federal)
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (federal)
- University Grants: These need-based grants demonstrate UCLA’s commitment to affordability.
Please note: Financial aid supported by funds from the State of California is not available to nonresident students enrolling at UCLA. However, the Financial Aid and Scholarships office will assist nonresident domestic students with federal financial aid, private loans, advice on scholarships and merit-based aid where available.
If you’re an out-of-state student thinking of studying in California, look into financial aid programs that may be available from your home state. You can search for state-based grantsand state-based financial aid programs.
Explore grants for UCLA Students
3. Loans
In 2022, graduating seniors in the U.S. had an average student loan debt of over $29,400. But for UCLA seniors, the average was much lower — just over $16,400. And virtually all UCLA graduates — 98% of them — successfully manage loan repayment.
You will have a variety of borrowing options available, so please make sure to research them carefully before you select what is best for you. Refer to loan guides available from UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
The federal government offers low-interest direct student loansfor higher education.
Fixed low-interest federal PLUS loansare also available to parents.
Private educational loans offered by banks and lending institutions are also available to students, parents and family members.
Federal loans are not credit-based and have terms set by the Department of Education. Interest paid on student loans is tax-deductible. There are flexible payment options, and repayment can be delayed until after the student’s graduation on federal and private loans.
Parents may take out low-interest education loans from the government and private loans from banks or other lenders. The terms for federal loans to parents are determined by the Department of Education; they are not based on credit scores. Loan payments can be postponed until after the student graduates. Interest paid on parent loans is tax-deductible.
Learn about federal student loans
4. Part-Time Student Jobs
A part-time job can help pay for textbooks and day-to-day living expenses. Last year, over 9,500 UCLA undergraduates worked on campus part-time. Some had work-study awardswhich can make it easier to find a position, on campus or off.
Tip: If you work at UCLA, you can qualify for discounts as an employee. Students who work for ASUCLA get a 50 percent on-campus dining discount.
Explore work-study and jobs
What Parents Can Do to Help Financially
Parents have access to a number of resources, including some that offer tax benefits.
Savings Accounts and Tax Benefits
Some families set up special college savings accounts, such as Coverdell Education Savings Accountsand 529 plans, which enable them to put away money for college tuition and related expenses.
Families can also withdraw money from their 401(k) or 403(b) retirement savings accounts. Withdrawals are penalty-free when the money is used to pay for education.
The government offers tax benefits and credits for higher education. For details, check your tax preparation software or ask your tax preparer.
Additional Ways to Save Money and Manage Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Reduce the time involved in earning a degree by taking more than the minimum courses required per term and/or attending summer school. Did you know that out-of-state students do not pay Nonresident Supplemental Tuition in the summer?
Explore all the different housing options available to you — on campus, off campus or commuting from home.
When selecting a meal plan for on-campus housing, consider your habits and ask yourself what you really need.
Where book expenses are concerned, the UCLA Store is committed to offering the best value for students. They have new books, used, digital, rentals and price matching. And at the end of each quarter, the UCLA Store buys books back for cash.
When it comes to transportation, many students ask if they need to have a car on campus. Most first-year students do not need a car, especially given parking limitations on campus. Many students utilize public transportation and ridesharing, which helps save money and the environment.
BruinPay Plan
When you enroll at UCLA, you’re eligible to apply for the BruinPay Plan. This plan allows students and families to pay each academic quarter’s tuition and fees in three payments spread over the term.
Where to Go for More Information
We are dedicated to helping make your UCLA education affordable. If you have questions about financial aid, please contact Financial Aid and Scholarships.
