What you qualify for depends on many factors, but it all starts with applying for financial aid. You should apply for financial aid, even if you don’t think that you’ll qualify. It's the only way to guarantee you'll be considered for every type of aid possible, regardless of your income level.
Blue and Gold: UC financial aid
UC’s Blue and Gold significantly benefits many California undergraduate students and families by making a UC education accessible and affordable. Most California students from families earning up to $100,000 receive enough grants and scholarships to cover their UC tuition, often allowing them to graduate debt-free with the help of part-time work. UC also offers predictable tuition, locking in rates for up to six years.
Learn more about Blue and Gold »
Grants & scholarships
Think of grants and scholarships as free money or money that doesn't have to be paid back. Grants and scholarships (also called "gift aid") help reduce the cost of attending college.
Learn more about grants & scholarships »
Jobs & work-study
Most students who receive financial aid work part time during the school year. You can either find part-time jobs on or off campus on your own, or you may qualify for Federal Work-Study (or campus work-study).
Learn more about jobs & work-study »
Loans
A loan is borrowed money (you may hear terms like "borrowing" or "taking out loans") that you have to pay back with interest. Loans help you cover costs that aren't paid for by grants and scholarships.
Other California and UC aid programs
Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) program
The MCS provides funding to cover a portion of the cost of attending for eligible undergraduates and to students pursuing a teaching credential who attend the University of California or a California State University.
Learn more about the Middle Class Scholarship program »
California DREAM Loan Program
The California DREAM Loan Program provides eligible undocumented AB 540 undergraduates with the option to borrow loans to help cover the cost of attending UC.
Learn more about the California DREAM Loan Program »
Native American Opportunity Plan
If you are a California student enrolled in a federally recognized Native America, American Indian, or Alaska Native tribe, you won’t pay UC Tuition under the Native American Opportunity Plan.