Prospective Students

Prospective Students

Welcome! If you are considering applying to UC Davis Financial Aid, here are some important things you should know about applying for financial aid and scholarships:

Timeline

  • Start looking into financial aid in your sophomore year of high school. Read the Fund Your Future and The Student Guide, published by the California Student Aid Commission and the U.S. Department of Education.

(A calendar of events for High School Senior and Community College Transfer Students)

  • NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: Apply for UC scholarships and request a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when you apply for admission to the University.
  • JANUARY: For faster and more accurate filing, we recommend filing the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Obtaining a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at pin.ed.gov will allow you to make limited changes to your FAFSA information after you file (if needed). Submit the FAFSA on the Web or the paper FAFSA to the processing service as soon as possible after January 1 and before March 2. Be sure to list UC Davis, school code 001313 on the FAFSA.
  • All students should apply for Cal Grant by mailing a completed GPA Verification form to the California Student Aid Commission before March 2. Forms are available through the California Student Aid Commission, your high school, community college, or financial aid office.
  • EARLY TO MID-FEBRUARY: Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) by e-mail or U.S. mail (confirmation that your FAFSA has been received).
  • MID-MARCH: Visit the UC Davis Financial Aid web site at financialaid.ucdavis.edu/eawards to view your preliminary financial aid awards online. After you've sent your Statement of Intent to Register to UC Davis Admissions you can accept your awards and obtain promissory notes.
  • MARCH-SEPTEMBER: The Financial Aid Office continues preparing and posting financial aid awards online once FAFSA information is received from the federal processor.
  • APRIL: The Scholarship Office begins awarding scholarships to recipients who are not required to show financial need. Most major scholarships to new students are announced prior to May 1. Smaller recognition awards may continue to be announced on into summer.
  • JUNE - SEPTEMBER: Work during the summer to help earn the student self-help expectation shown on your FAN. Check the status of your financial aid at UC Davis online at financialaid.ucdavis.edu/eawards to be sure you've submitted all required promissory notes and documentation.
  • AUGUST: Billing statements are available online at mybill.ucdavis.edu. For students who have signed and accepted the aid offered by UC Davis, the statement shows financial aid credits. Any financial aid funds remaining after all University charges have been paid will disburse to the student in Fall Quarter. Students can sign up online at directdeposit.ucdavis.edu to have their financial aid funds deposited directly to their bank accounts.
  • SEPTEMBER: Welcome to UC Davis! Enroll in 13 units each quarter to remain eligible for financial aid and maintain satisfactory academic progress as explained in your Financial Aid Notice.

Scholarships

  • You can apply for scholarships offered through UC Davis when you complete the UC Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships between November 1-30. If you are transferring from a junior college, submit one letter of recommendation directly to UC Davis. Refer to the instruction section of the Undergraduate Application for Admission to the University of California for further guidance.

Apply for Financial Aid

  • Apply using FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) beginning January 1 and before March 2. List the UC Davis school code, 001313, to have your information sent to us.
  • Students and their parents should obtain a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at pin.ed.gov. The PIN will allow you and your parents to sign the FAFSA on line, and to make changes and corrections online after you file.
  • Submit the GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission before March 2 to apply for Cal Grant. The form is available online at www.csac.ca.gov.
  • When we receive your FAFSA information, UC Davis will review your eligibility according to the UC Education Finance Policy. The policy establishes a cost of attendance, subtracts an expected family/student contribution and any federal or state aid awarded and determines your eligibility for a UC grant.
  • Applicants may be asked to verify the information on their FAFSAs. Keep copies of important papers such as income tax returns, W-2 forms and bank statements. Work and save during the summer. As much as possible, be prepared to meet your expected Student Contribution.

Additional Resources and Information