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

For more questions and answers, visit Frequently Asked Questions.

• What are the requirements to receive financial aid for summer session? 

• In order to be eligible for summer financial aid, students must:  
       - Be enrolled in at least six (6) units for the session (units can be combined) 
       - Have a 2021-22 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application on file with UC Davis School Code: 001313 
       - Have not filed to graduate for spring quarter 2022 
       - Meet one of the following additional requirements: 
               - Complete spring quarter 2022 
               - Be on an approved PELP program for spring 2022 
               - Be a newly admitted freshman or transfer student for fall quarter 2022

• When is the deadline to submit all documents for verification? What will happen if I don’t complete it in time? 

• The priority deadline for verification is May 15, 2022. We expect to complete verifications for all selected students by the end of summer. If a student submits their Verification/SAR after the deadline, we cannot guarantee that the student's verification will be completed on time in order for a student’s financial aid to be disbursed prior to the fall academic quarter fee deadline. Students will have confirmation that the documents were submitted when the status of their verification states “received”.

• How is a student determined as Independent or Dependent?  

• Federal regulations state that a student is considered independent for financial aid if he or she can answer yes to any one of the dependency questions on the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The dependency criteria are the same for both applications. For more information, visit Appeal for Independent Status. 

• If my Expected Family Contribution (EFC) no longer reflects my family’s true income due to the pandemic, can I receive a reevaluation of my financial aid?      
• Students who have already submitted their SIR have the option to submit an EFC appeal when the appeal becomes available July 1, 2022. If an entering student’s FAFSA does not accurately reflect their income for this current year, they may complete a Preliminary Family Contribution Appeal. There is no official form at this time, but students will need to submit a detailed letter explaining the change in situation and attach any supporting documents. For the type of documents students can submit for reevaluation, visit Family Contributions Review for Parental and/or Student Contribution.
• Is exit counseling mandatory to graduate? Will it prevent me from graduating if I don’t complete it?

• Federal regulation requires any student that has accepted a federal loan and has withdrawn, graduated, or enrolled in less than 6 units, must complete the exit loan counseling. Counseling is done online through your MyAwards at studentloans.gov. Please complete the requirement at your earliest convenience as an incomplete requirement can create a hold on your diploma and transcripts. 

HEERF Update: 

• As of May 11, 2021, the Department of Education released revised guidance that undocumented and international students are eligible to receive HEERF. How has UC Davis implemented these changes?
• As of May 11, 2021, when the revised guidance was released, UC Davis had allocated and expensed its HEERF and HEERF II allotment. However, HEERF III funding will be awarded to all eligible students based on the new guidance. For information on HEERF I, II, and III (CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP), visit Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds FAQs.