Important Updates

On behalf of the UC Davis community, we hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe amid the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. Emotional support or resource assistance is available at UC Davis Mental Health, and for short-term financial hardships, reach out to the Financial Crisis Response Team. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time, and UC Davis remains committed to supporting you in every way possible.

  • OFFICE CLOSURE: Financial Aid and Scholarships will be closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2025. 

Public Service

First Year

As a first-year student, you have so many options available to you that it can be tough to know where to begin. If you are interested in prestigious scholarships, there are plenty of things you can start doing now to prepare for your future applications. Prestigious scholarships are incredibly competitive, but if you start preparing early it will put you in a good position to win! Start by:

UCD student tutoring elementary school student

  • Taking courses that will develop your academic interests and provide clarity for your career goals.
  • Getting to know your advisors and faculty can provide mentoring and build a relationship that will allow faculty and advisors to support your applications with a letter of recommendation.
  • Joining campus clubs or volunteering with service organizations – focus on meaningful leadership or civic/public service opportunities that relate to your interests.
  • Visiting the Career Center for guidance on resumes. Build a detailed resume of your activities, awards, research, etc. 
  • Scheduling an appointment with the prestigious scholarship advisor to discuss career goals, identify suitable scholarships, and develop a plan to strengthen your application.

Prestigious scholarships you can apply for:

Planning for next year:

Check out the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship, the Charles B. Rangel Summer Enrichment Program, and the Udall Scholarship, and decide if you will apply as a second-year student. The foundation websites are an excellent resource to help determine if either of these scholarships is a good fit for you. Interested students should review what each scholarship foundation is looking for in a candidate. Also, be sure to look at the sample proposals and applications provided.