Tuition & financial aid

2025-2026 academic year UC tuition for CA students. You can expect your tuition to stay the same for up to six years.

$14,934

For most in-state students, if your family's income is in this range and you qualify for financial aid, you won't pay any tuition.

$0–100,000

Average amount of grants and scholarships awarded to eligible CA students last year:

$20,000

53%

53% of CA undergrads pay
no tuition

68%

68% of CA undergrads receive grants & scholarships

59%
59%

59% of CA students graduate with no student loan debt

Apply for financial aid

A UC degree is worth it. And we can help you pay for it.

Our financial aid program is one of the best out there. It supports students in all kinds of ways, whatever their background—with grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and more. And it’s worth it.

Studying at UC is an incredible experience on its own—and our high graduation rates put you on a fast track towards a truly rewarding career.

Dates & deadlines

March 2

Deadline to submit FAFSA or CA Dream Act application. 

May 1

Deadline for first-year students to submit their SIR.

June 1

Deadline for transfer students to submit their SIR.

You belong here. So we'll help you get here.

Paying for your education is a partnership between you, your parents and UC.

Financial aid for you, and you, and you too.

You should apply for financial aid, even if you don’t think you qualify. Because there are lots of options out there — and we want to make sure our students get every penny they deserve.

Financial aid lets you focus on what matters: your education.

Our financial aid program takes the pressure off paying for your studies, so you can concentrate on what’s important: your education. There’s plenty of help available for students from all walks of life.

Want to know how much help you can get?

Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

If you're from California and your family income is less than $80,000 a year, apply for help from our Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. It covers the cost of your tuition, with extra funds available if you need them.

UC tuition: What to expect

UC is committed to helping you plan for the cost of your education. In fact, 53% percent of California students receive enough financial aid to cover the cost of tuition. If you do pay tuition, UC's Tuition Stability Plan means your tuition should stay the same for up to six years.*

 

*UC tuition includes systemwide tuition, student services fees and non-residential supplemental tuition (when applicable). Campus fees are subject to change.

More than half of UC's California undergrads pay no tuition and 68% receive grants and scholarships (money that you don't need to repay).