Eligibility

Financial aid helps fill the gap between the cost of attending UC Santa Cruz and the amount that students and their families can afford to pay. Although we encourage any UCSC student who needs financial assistance to apply for financial aid, students must meet the following federal requirements in order to be eligible for most types of aid we offer:

You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Foreign students with student visas are not eligible for financial aid. Students who graduated from and attended a high school in California for at least three or more years however, may be eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 legislation.

You must be enrolled in a program leading to a degree or certificate. Enrollment in a UCSC Education Abroad Program is considered enrollment at UCSC for purposes of all types of financial aid described on this website. Students attending UCSC summer session only (not otherwise enrolled at the campus), those enrolled only through UCSC Extension and/or Concurrent Enrollment, and those enrolled in limited-status or other non-degree-granting programs are not eligible.

You must not be in default on any student loan (Federal Perkins, National Direct, Federally Insured, Guaranteed, Federal Stafford Student Loan, Federal Direct Student Loan, or Federal Supplemental Loan for Students) nor owe a refund on any grant (Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant).

If you are male, you must be registered with the Selective Service (the draft) if you are at least 18 years old and were born after December 31, 1959.

You must be enrolled at least half-time, be in good academic standing, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

If you are pursuing a second baccalaureate degree you are eligible for student loans only.

If you have been convicted of possessing or selling drugs, you may not qualify for federal aid (call 800-433-3243 to find out if this applies to you). This will not affect your eligibility for other types of aid we administer.

Important note for non-California residents:
Financial aid does not cover nonresident tuition and additional fees. This is expected to be $19,584 in 2007-2008. This amount will need to be added to the amount you and your family are expected to contribute. The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) may help with this additional expense.