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

• I completed an SAI appeal and am still waiting on the resolution. When can I see my updated package?

• We review documents in the order in which they are received. The review process could take 6-8 weeks after we have received all documents.  

  Special Circumstance appeals are not guaranteed to be approved, as they are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If your appeal is approved, your financial aid package will be adjusted retroactively based on the newly calculated SAI. 

  For more information on your appeal, please review Student Forms or call our office.  

• When can I expect the Middle Class Scholarship to disburse? 

• Our office will disburse the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) near the end of each term, once the funds are confirmed. Actual eligibility and MCS amounts are confirmed with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).

  For more information regarding the Middle Class Scholarship, please contact the California Student Aid Commission. 

• What is the Self-Help contribution on MyAwards?

• A student's total contribution is the sum of Self-Help, Student Aid Index (SAI), and Additional Resources. The Self-Help portion is the amount that an undergraduate student may be expected to contribute toward their education using a combination of loans, work options, scholarships, and/or savings. For more information, please visit our Cost of Attendance definitions webpage.  

• I requested private loans. What action do I need to take?  

• To speed up the certification process, if you have been offered federal loans in MyAwards, we recommend you either accept or decline these amounts so that we can proceed with the private loan certification process. 

  You can also submit this Private Loan Change in Aid form via Contact an Expert.

  For more information, please visit our Private Loans page.

• What scholarships are available for current and continuing undergraduate students?  

• Current and continuing undergraduate students are encouraged to submit the 2026-27 scholarship application, which offers scholarships for the upcoming school year.

  If you are interested in applying for outside scholarships for the current school year, we recommend reviewing our Outside Scholarships webpage, or researching organizations outside of UC Davis.

  For additional guidance and resources, please visit Current and Continuing Undergraduates Scholarships.