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.

• My parents completed the Parent Plus Loan Application. After completion, we were notified that their credit was denied. Do I have any other options since my parent’s credit was denied?

• If a student’s parent’s application for a Parent Plus loan is denied, students may submit the denial statement received and an Unsubsidized Loan Request form to our office requesting an increase of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. If the student is approved for the increased loan amount, the student will be offered the maximum amount of Unsubsidized Loan for which they are qualified and may not equal the amount initially offered through a Parent Plus loan.  

• When will the Middle Class Scholarship be disbursed?  
• The Middle Class Scholarship will be posted on eligible students' accounts by mid-November and will be confirmed by an email at that time. If students would like to confirm their eligibility for the Middle Class Scholarship, students may log in to WebGrants on the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) website.

• I am currently packaged as an off-campus student. How do I pay for rent with my financial aid?  

• If the amount of financial aid a student is receiving is greater than the sum of tuition and established student housing costs, the difference will be applied to the student’s account as a refund (and will be reflected as a negative balance due), which then can be used for personal expenses such as rent, groceries, etc. If the amount of financial aid a student is receiving is less than the sum of the tuition and student housing costs, then the difference will be what the student must pay out-of-pocket.  
• How do I know if I am work-study eligible? Where am I able to find work-study job listings?  

• Students with Expected Family Contributions (EFC) of less than or equal to $20,000, and with eligibility greater than or equal to $1,000, will be identified on their award notices as Work-Study eligible. Eligible students can obtain a Work-Study Eligibility Certificate (with a 30-day expiration date) through MyAwards. Work-Study Eligibility Certificates will become available in mid-June of each academic year. Work-Study funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Work-Study allows a student to earn financial aid through employment and is paid in the form of a payroll check for time/hours worked. All job listings are available online at Handshake. 

• Since the 2021-22 FAFSA/CADAA uses 2019 tax information, it does not reflect my family's current income due to the pandemic. Can we report our new income to UC Davis so that it is reflected in next year’s financial aid for 2021-22?

• If your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) does not accurately reflect your financial situation for the current year, students have the option of completing a Family Contribution Appeal. Information and instructions can be found at Family Contributions Review. Please be advised that appeals are not guaranteed to be approved as they are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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 the CARES Act and CRRSAA, visit Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds FAQs.