Welcome to UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships

IMPORTANT FAFSA UPDATES:

Middle Class Scholarship for the 25/26 Academic Year

• California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) started to determine Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) eligibility and will begin notifying potentially eligible students on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. We anticipate that over 11,000 UCLA students will be eligible for MCS. Due to the large volume, processing will take a few weeks. We will do our best to include MCS awards in students’ financial aid packages by the end of September.

Cal Grant and Anticipated Aid Status

• Anticipated aid for the Fall Quarter will begin to show on student’s BruinBill starting Thursday, August 21, 2025. Cal Grant awards in ‘Estimated’ status will not reflect as anticipated aid until a student's eligibility has been confirmed. We anticipate receiving the roster of eligibility for Cal Grant recipients early September, which will update the Cal Grant to ‘Awarded’ status for eligible students.

FAFSA FAQ for Nonbinary and Trans Students

• As a result of a Presidential Executive Order issued on January 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education has updated Question 11 on the 2025–26 FAFSA. Effective February 14, 2025, the gender question now offers only two response options: “Male” and “Female.” Previously available options— “Non-binary” and “Prefer not to answer”—have been removed. See FAQ here. The University of California and UCLA know this change may be frustrating or concerning for some of our LGBTQ+ students, especially those who are trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse. Students negatively impacted by this update are encouraged to seek support from the UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center.

2025-26 Interest Rates for Federal Direct Loans Announced

• The interest rate for Federal Direct Loans is determined annually for all loans first disbursed during any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, whether the loan was made to an undergraduate or graduate student. You may review the interest rates for Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2025 and before July 1, 2026 via the latest announcement from Federal Student Aid.

Summer 2025 Financial Aid Guidance

• Considering attending Summer 2025 classes? Estimate your costs and financial aid eligibility using the 2025 UCLA Summer Financial Aid Calculator. For more information, please visit Summer Aid | UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Aid Support for Students Impacted by the SoCal Fires

• Students who have been impacted by the SoCal Fires and would like to be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and loan aid should apply for financial aid and review appeal options by contacting UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Financial Aid Application Guidance for Families of Mixed Immigration Statuses

• We understand that Undocumented Students and Parents may have concerns about privacy when completing financial aid applications. For those with questions, please see the latest guidance issued by the University of California (UC) that was reviewed by UC Legal – Office of the General Counsel and UC Immigrant Legal Services.

• The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) has created a resource website with application guidance for students from families of mixed immigration statuses. This resource is designed to help students and families understand eligibility for federal financial aid and addresses concerns related to data security of FAFSA information.

• Any student who has attempted, but not been able to file a FAFSA or CADAA is urged to contact our office.

Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, September 1, 2025

• The UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships office will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025 in Observance of the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Saturday, September 20, 2025

• Payment Deadline for FALL 2025 Quarter Tuition and Fees.
• Deadline to waive out of UCSHIP.
• Deadline to sign up for BruinPay Plan for FALL 2025.

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