CURRENT STUDENT QUESTIONS
What can I do if my parents are unable to meet the parent contribution?
Parental contribution is not an actual amount that your parents have to pay. It is an approximation of how much your parents should reasonably be able to contribute towards your educational expenses over the course of the academic year. If your parents are unable to contribute towards your educational expenses UCLA can convert your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) into a federal loan.
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I am expecting to receive outside assistance (scholarships, fellowships, loans, etc.) How will these affect my financial aid?
Because UCLA meets 100% of your demonstrated need, the receipt of aid from outside sources does make an adjustment to your aid necessary. In order that these awards can help a student as much as possible, it is our policy to replace a student's self-help (loan and work awards) first. If the amount of outside aid received exceeds the amount of loan and work in your package, grants are then reduced.
Any delay in reporting this information to the Financial Aid Office may result in you receiving financial aid in excess of your eligibility, which will necessitate that you be billed for funds already received.
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My family's circumstances have changed dramatically since we filed the FAFSA. Can UCLA take these changes into consideration?
If your or your parents financial situation changes after you file the FAFSA, or at any time during the academic year, you may submit a letter explaining your special circumstances along with supporting documentation to the financial aid office. The following special circumstances can be considered as the basis for re-evaluation:
• Loss of Employment
• Legal separation or divorce
• Death of parent/spouse
• Medical costs not covered by insurance
• Cost of special education made necessary by a learning/physical disability of parents' dependents
• Cost of repair of damages caused by natural disasters (incurred during the current year and not covered by insurance)
• Link to the PYI form
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Will I receive the same financial aid package each year I attend UCLA?
Your eligibility for financial aid is evaluated annually based on the current year FAFSA information. If your family circumstances remain relatively unchanged, you can expect to receive a similar financial aid package from one year to the next. Cal Grants are not available to students who are fifth year seniors.
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If I am receiving financial aid, do I need to pay fees when I receive my Billing and Receivable (BAR) Statement?
If your financial aid is enough to cover the full cost of your tuition/fees, you do not need to make a payment. Your fees will be paid automatically when your aid is applied to your BAR account.
When is my financial aid disbursed to BAR?
Your financial aid is disbursed to BAR 10 days prior to the beginning of the term. You must be enrolled at least ½ time (6 units undergraduates; 4 units graduates) in order for financial aid to be released. Loans will not be disbursed until you have completed promissory note paperwork.
http://www.ursa.ucla.edu and http://www.fao.ucla.edu/calendar.htm
In addition, first time loan borrowers must complete a Debt Management Session with the UCLA Student Loan Services Office 310-825-9864 before their loans are disbursed. Visit the Debt Management Website here.
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What happens to the financial aid that is left over after my fees are paid?
You will receive a refund for any funds in excess of outstanding charges on your BAR account. If you have signed up for Bruin Direct, ( http://www.amco.ucla.edu/bruindirfaq.htm ) your refund will be electronically deposited in the account of your choice by the first day of the term. If not, the Student Accounting Office will mail your refund check to you.
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How do I maintain my eligibility for aid?
In order to maintain your eligibility for aid you must adhere to the quarterly unit requirements. The Financial Aid Office checks your units on the census date at the end of third week of classes. Enrollment below half-time on that date will result in cancellation of your aid and billing for funds disbursed. Some undergraduate awards (Federal Pell Grand and Cal Grant B stipend) require enrollment in 12 units to maintain your eligibility. Enrollment below 12 units on the census date will result in reduction of those awards. NOTE: Once aid is reduced/canceled it will not be reinstated automatically. If your unit count increases after the census date you must contact the Financial Aid Office. Federal Pell Grant will not be reinstated if your unit count increases after the census date.
In addition to meeting the quarterly unit requirements you are also required to meet cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards in order to maintain your eligibility for aid. To find out more about SAP, take a look at the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guide .
My parents don't provide me with financial support. Can I apply as an “Independent” student?
In order to be considered independent for financial aid purposes you must meet one of the following criteria:
* You must turn 24 before January 1 of the academic year that you are applying for
* Be a Graduate/Professional student
* Be married
* Have children who receive more than half of their support from you
* Have dependents (other than your children/spouse) that live with you and receive more than half of their support from you.
* Be an orphan or ward/dependent of the court
* Be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces
If you do not meet any of the criteria listed above, but can document extreme family circumstances that prevent you from obtaining your parents information/support, you may file an Independent Appeal Form (available under FAO Forms on our site) with the Financial Aid Office for a possible re-evaluation of your status.
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