Financial Aid and Scholarships

Source: https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/how-aid-works Parent: https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/types/grants/institutional

How aid works

To be considered for most forms of need-based aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, or the California Dream Act Application, the CADAA,must be completed by the priority deadline each year.

The information provided on your annual FAFSA or CADAA results in your Student Aid Index, or SAI. If your SAI exceeds the cost of attendance, you are not eligible for need-based financial aid. However, if you are eligible to complete a FAFSA, you (and your parents) may still apply for Unsubsidized Direct Loans and/or Parent PLUS Loans regardless of need. If you are a CADAA filer, you can apply for a Dream Loan.

To get a better understanding of how a financial aid offer is calculated, it's helpful to understand the following equation:

Total cost of attendance: The total cost of attendance is UC’s estimate of your annual budget while attending UC. This figure includes systemwide tuition and fees, campus-based fees, books and supplies, housing and food, personal expenses, transportation, and a healthcare allowance.

Gift aid: Need-based gift aid is free money that you can use to cover your educational expenses. Grants and scholarships fall into this category and help cover your cost of attendance. Each campus determines your total grant eligibility and meets it using federal, state and UC's own gift aid programs.

Net cost: The net cost — the portion you and your parents are responsible for covering — is the total cost of attendance, minus the gift aid you receive. This amount is the most important factor to consider when you compare your UC financial aid offer to offers from other colleges.

Paying the net cost

No matter what mix of financial aid you are offered, you and your parents each have an important role in paying for your education:

Students: Apply for all available financial aid programs for which you are eligible by completing the FAFSA or the CADAA. Be prepared to cover part of your cost of attendance through a combination of working and borrowing. This is what we call "self-help". Outside scholarships or other awards can also help meet your self-help expectation.\
Parents: Your parents are expected to contribute to your cost of attendance based on their financial resources and circumstances, as reported on the FAFSA or the CADAA. Some families use a combination of current earnings and savings to cover their share, while many include educational loans. For very low-income families, there may be no parent contribution expected.

For more details on how UC financial aid works, visit the University of California Admissions webpage.

Understanding your costs

To better understand your out-of-pocket costs each term, use these Direct vs. Indirect Costs Worksheets:

For on-campus students

For off-campus students

Cost of attendance

The UC Davis cost of attendance is an estimated figure used to determine financial aid eligibility. Review the cost of attendance.

UC Davis affordability

UC Davis costs less than comparable private universities for the same world-class education. Compare costs.

Sample aid packages

Explore these situations to see how aid is packaged and how students and their families contribute. Explore samples.

Scholarships

Opportunities for undergraduate, prestigious, and outside scholarships. Eligibility and deadlines vary. Explore scholarships.