Financial Aid Types
In order to apply for any of the awards described below you will need to complete a FAFSA Application. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SCHOLARSHIPS|GRANTS|WORKSTUDY |LOANS
SCHOLARSHIPS
University Scholarships
Scholarships administered by the Financial Aid Office are awarded to students based on academic merit and financial need.
Scholarship eligibility is highly competitive and is determined by evaluating the academic data provided by the Undergraduate Admissions Office and Registrar's office, financial data obtained from the FAFSA, and additional academic documentation, as required. For specific scholarship information, please go to: Scholarships homepage.
GRANTS
State Grants (SUG) & University of California Grant
Awarded to "on-time" undergraduate applicants who are citizens or eligible non-citizens. Awards are based on financial need.
Cal Grant A and B
Cal Grant A: assists low- and middle-income students with tuition/fee costs. Awards are based on need and grade point average. If you qualify for a Cal Grant A and you choose to attend a California community college first, you can reserve your award for up to two years until you transfer to a tuition/fee charging college.
Cal Grant B: assists low-income and disadvantaged students with living expenses, books, supplies, and transportation costs. First year recipients’ Cal Grant B award may also cover registration fee cost. Renewal Cal Grant B recipients will receive registration fee assistance. New awards are limited to students who have completed no more than one full-time semester/two full-time quarters/16 semester units of part- time study or the equivalent.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federally funded awards to undergraduates who are citizens or eligible non-citizens. Awards are based on financial need, and range from $100 to $4,000. Preference is given to Pell Grant and Cal Grant recipients.
Federal Pell Grant
Based on exceptional need, are awarded to undergraduate students who are citizens or eligible non-citizens, and who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree. Students who file the FAFSA are automatically considered for Pell Grants. Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the federal Government and the award amount depends on your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and whether you are enrolled full-time or below. (BACK TO TOP)
ACG/SMART Grants
NOTE: Department of Education will discontinue funding ACG and SMART Grants for the next academic year. There grants will no longer be awarded for 2011-2012 academic year and beyond.
TEACH Grants
The TEACH Grant program is a non-need based grant program that provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are enrolled full time. Reduced eligibility is calculated for less that full time enrollment in an eligible program (see ‘Eligibility’ below). Students must agree to teach in a high-need field, at low-income elementary or secondary school as a highly qualified teacher for at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which TEACH Grant was awarded. The student must sign a service agreement to this effect annually, and complete all required counseling prior to receiving TEACH Grant. 3.25 GPA is required each quarter to establish and maintain eligibility.
If the student subsequently fails to meet the requirements of the service agreement, TEACH Grant will be treated as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and the student must repay the TEACH funds, with interest accrued from the date of disbursement.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Undergraduate seniors who are enrolled in UCLA California Teach Program whose enrollment includes at least two of the following:
- Completed registration for CSET
- Enrollment in Math 105A
- Acceptance into STEP or JMEP program
- 15 internship hours in a low-income school, with Letter of Recommendation from a Supervisor
- Graduate students enrolled in UCLA’s Teacher Education Program who are working toward a credential in Science, Math or Special Education.
For more information on eligibility, completion of the required documentation and agreement to serve information please contact the following:
- If you are a student in the Graduate School of Education, please contact Amy Gershon at Gershon@gseis.ucla.edu.
- If you are an undergraduate student, please contact Matt Fox at CaTeach@ucla.edu.
WORKSTUDY
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is intended to stimulate and promote part-time student employment, particularly students from low-income families, who are in need of earnings from such employment to pursue courses of study at institutions of higher education. The federal government pays a portion of the students' wage and the employer pays the balance. The federal government allocates funds annually to the UCLA Financial Aid Office for this purpose. Through the Federal Work-Study Program, students engage in work for the University, governmental agencies, or for public and private non-profit organizations as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Students employed through the Federal Work-Study Program not only provide essential services to the University and to the community, but also have the opportunity to secure positions, which may relate to their educational objectives, or enable them to gain valuable work experience.
If you have been offered Work-Study and would like to find out more please go to the Workstudy Homepage. (BACK TO TOP)
LOANS
Federal Perkins Loans
Available to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. The loan limit is $5,500 per academic year for undergraduate students and $8,000 for graduate and professional students. The actual award amount may be less based on annual funding and UCLA’s institutional awarding policy. The loan interest rate is 5 percent. Loan repayment and interest accrual begin either six or nine months after graduation or less than half-time enrollment.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
The Direct Loan Program consists of low-interest subsidized loans (no interest while in school), unsubsidized loans (interest accrues while in school) and PLUS Loans financed by the Department of Education. Loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan repayment begins six months after student graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
Grade Level |
Subsidized Direct Loan |
Unsubsidized Direct Loan |
Total Direct Loan |
Yr 1 – Undergraduate |
$3,500 |
Dependent = $2,000 Independent = $6,000 |
Dependent = $5,500 Independent = $9,500 |
Yr 2 – Undergraduate |
$4,500 |
Dependent = $2,000 Independent = $6,000 |
Dependent = $6,500 Independent = $10,500 |
Yr 3 & above – UG |
$5,500 |
Dependent = $2,000 Independent = $7,000 |
Dependent = $7,500 Independent = $12,500 |
Aggregate Loan Limits |
$23,000 |
|
Dependent = $31,000 Independent = $57,500 |
Graduate/Professional |
$8,500 |
$12,000 |
$20,500 |
Aggregate Loan Limits |
$65,500 |
|
$138,500 |
Subsidized Direct Loans
Subsidized Direct Loans are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. Interest rate is fixed at 6% for undergraduates for loans with first disbursement on/after July 1, 2008 and 5.6% for loans with first disbursement on/after July 1, 2009 and 4.5% for loans first disbursed on/after July 1, 2010. Interest rate is fixed at 6.8% for graduate borrowers. Interest is subsidized (paid) by the government until six months after you leave school or drop below half-time enrollment status. Loan goes into repayment six months after student graduates or ceases half-time enrollment.
Unsubsidized Direct Loans
Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available to all students regardless of income. Interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement, but the extra costs of accrual can be avoided by making regular interest payments while in school. Loan goes into repayment six months after student graduates or ceases half-time enrollment.
If you have been offered a Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loan and would like more information regarding the terms and the application process go to: www.fao.ucla.edu/publications.html and review the loan guides available.
Direct PLUS Loans
Federal Direct PLUS Loans are designed to help graduate students and parents (or legal guardians) of undergraduate students meet their educational costs. Graduate students and parents may borrow up to cost of education for the academic year, less any other financial aid received. PLUS loans are available only to borrowers who do not have adverse credit histories. The interest rate is fixed at 7.9%. Parent PLUS repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Graduate students do not enter repayment while enrolled at least half time.
If you have been offered a PLUS Loan and would like more information regarding the terms and the application process, go to: www.fao.ucla.edu/publications.html and review the Graduate PLUS and Parent PLUS loan guides available.
Private Loans
Available to students who have received the maximum award amounts under the Federal Family Education Loan Program and require additional funding. These loans are sponsored by banks and private lending institutions. The Interest rates and repayment schedules vary. These loans must be certified by the Financial Aid Office before funds can be disbursed.
To find out more information regarding the terms and the application process for private loans go to: Private Loans Guide.
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