Based on inquiries by phone and email, below are the top five topics of the week. 

• I have a Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) estimate on MyAwards. How can I receive these funds?
• If you have been identified by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) as eligible for the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), we are in the process of confirming the total amount of your aid. Eligible students will see a Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) estimate on their MyAwards. This estimated amount may be adjusted at any time during the academic year if you receive other financial assistance. Actual eligibility and MCS amounts are confirmed by CSAC. Our office will disburse MCS funds near the end of each term once the funds are confirmed.
• When will refunds for winter quarter be issued?  
• If you have a NEGATIVE balance on your MyBill, you are eligible for a refund in that amount for the quarter either through direct deposit or a paper check. Refunds will be available after the first day of instruction for the winter quarter (January 3, 2025). For more information on refunds, please contact Student Accounting. If you are in financial hardship and need the funds early, you can apply for a Short Term Loan.
• What impact will opting for PELP or withdrawing from UC Davis for the winter quarter have on my financial aid after the first day of instruction?
• When students PELP or Withdraw after the first day of instruction of the quarter, they will undergo a  Return of Aid process in which a calculated amount of tuition is returned to the student and a portion of their financial aid is required to be returned. If you are participating in the PELP program or Withdrawing, please submit an Enrollment Status Change form so our office can recalculate your aid.
• I am currently under an approved Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) appeal for the fall quarter. When will I receive my financial aid?
• All students with an approved SAP appeal were sent an email notification in December outlining the next steps. No action is required from you as our office continues to review final grades for the fall term. Before releasing aid for the winter 2025 term, we must verify your fall grades, which will be released in late December. If you meet the probation contract requirements outlined in your appeal, financial aid will be disbursed for the winter quarter.

• My financial aid is not reflecting correctly on MyBill. Is it because I am waitlisted for courses?

• Yes. Waitlisted courses do not count towards the 12-unit requirement for full disbursement of some types of financial aid, such as Pell Grant, Cal Grant, and Middle Class Scholarship which are unit-sensitive. Once the 12-unit requirement is met, eligible students can expect the full aid to disburse within 24-48 hours. To understand how the number of units you are enrolled in affects your financial aid disbursement, visit Changes That May Affect Your Aid.

For answers to common questions, Ask Gunrock! Our virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer your general financial aid and scholarship questions. You'll find Gunrock on select web pages, including this one, in the lower right corner.

Here's a quick guide on the types of questions that can be answered 24/7 here online, or when an email, phone call, or visit is recommended.