Self-Help Aid

Loans
Student loans are long-term awards that enable you to defer paying for your education until you are no longer a student. Interest rates, deferment options, and other terms vary from one loan program to another. Loans are available for students from all income levels; loans with the lowest interest rates are awarded to financial aid applicants with the most need. When you accept a student loan from the university or from the federal government, you are legally obligated to repay the loan according to the terms of the promissory note.

Federal College Work-Study
Work-study enables enrolled undergraduate students to earn money for their education through part-time employment during the academic year. Work-study positions are available both on the UC Santa Cruz campus and in local non-profit agencies off campus. A portion of a student's work-study wages are subsidized by federal funds.

Work-Study Orientation

If you are awarded work-study as a part of your financial aid package, plan to attend the Career Center work-study orientation at the beginning of fall quarter. The Career Center also maintains listings of both on and off-campus jobs year-round for all students, including work-study recipients. This orientation is important because it will be the first opportunity students have to review work-study job postings each year. In addition, the orientation will take you step-by-step through the paperwork involved in securing a work-study position. You must receive a "Clearance to Commence Work Card" before you start working. You will receive a monthly work-study paycheck on or around the eighth working day of each month.

You must stop working immediately if you take a leave of absence or withdraw from UC Santa Cruz.

More information can be found by visiting the Career Center website. The Career Center also has information about work-study on their UCSC Student Work-Study Information page.