There are two different applications that determine your eligibility for financial aid. Which financial aid application should you complete?
If you are a CITIZEN or a PERMANENT RESIDENT you should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.
If you are NOT a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, but graduated from a high school in California, then you should file a California Dream Act Application. The Dream Act is used for state and institutional aid. Learn more about the AB540 criteria requirements at: DREAM Act Application Guide.
MARCH 2 is the application PRIORITY DEADLINE for the subsequent Fall Quarter.
***You MUST complete an application for EVERY YEAR you seek financial aid***
Undergraduate Students who are considered ‘dependent’ for financial aid purposes will be required to provide their parents’ information signature on their application.
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS?
New students can complete the UC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION as part of the admissions process. You should log in to our Scholarship Portal and complete your profile to be considered for all UCLA scholarship opportunities you are eligible for. We strongly encourage you to look beyond UCLA for scholarship opportunities. You can find other scholarships in the Scholarship Section.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS are typically NOT ELIGIBLE for most aid through our office. More information for Scholarship Resources for International Students is available HERE.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the MARCH 2 priority filing deadline. The FAFSA can be accessed at studentaid.gov
- In order to officially submit your FAFSA application, You will be REQUIRED TO SIGN the FAFSA application using your FSA ID. An FSA ID is online at fsaid.ed.gov
- If you are a California Resident and are eligible for a CAL GRANT, submit your FAFSA or DREAM App by the March 2 priority deadline. Your High School or College MUST ALSO SUBMIT YOUR GPA to the California Student Aid Commission before March 2. If you opted out of electronic submission with your High School or College, you can submit your GPA Verification Form to the commission by completing the GPA Verification Form.
DREAM ACT Application
- If you are NOT a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, but you are approved to pay in-state tuition because you graduated from a high school in California, you need to complete the California DREAM Application by the March 2 deadline. The DREAM application is at dream.csac.ca.gov. More information about your eligibility at the DREAM Act Application Guide on our Publications page. More guidance at California Student Aid Commission.
- If you are AB540 eligible and are applying for the CAL GRANT, submit your DREAM ACT Application by the March 2 deadline. Your High School or College MUST ALSO SUBMIT YOUR GPA to the California Student Aid Commission before March 2. If you opted out of electronic submission with your High School or College, you can submit your GPA Verification Form to the commission by completing the GPA Verification Form.
International Students
- Federal, State and University financial aid programs require that applicants be US Citizens or Permanent Residents. This means the UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships Office CANNOT provide support to International Students with the following Visa types: F-1 or F-2 Student, G Series, H Series, J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor.
- International Students may be eligible for Scholarships, Private Loans and Short-Term Loans.
- Most lenders who have loan options for International Students REQUIRE a US Citizen or Permanent Resident to CO-SIGN THE LOAN.
- For information on Short-Term and Emergency Loans, please visit our Short Term Loan Page.
- SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES for International Students include:
eduPASS
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)
InternationalScholarships.com
Institute for International Education's Funding for U.S. Study
- If you are an INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE STUDENT, please contact:
UCLA Graduate Division
UCLA Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars
