Bruin Financial Aid Student Portal Help

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bruin Financial Aid?

Bruin Financial Aid is a digital, cloud-based software platform designed to make financial aid administration easier and more efficient. The Bruin Financial Aid Portal is where students access the new system in order to view notifications and letters, upload necessary documents, view and accept financial aid offers, and more. For all new and continuing students, starting with 2025-2026, all financial aid activity will be administered through the Bruin Financial Aid Portal. 

Will Bruin Financial Aid impact my financial aid eligibility? 

Bruin Financial Aid will not impact your financial aid eligibility. However, it will change the way you access and view your financial aid notification as well as view and submit documents. Please review our "Viewing Notifications and Letters in the Bruin Financial Aid Portal" video tutorial for additional guidance. 

How do I access the Bruin Financial Aid Portal?

You can access the Bruin Financial Aid Portal via your MyUCLA using your UCLA Credentials. You will then navigate to the “Finances and Jobs” tab, where you will find a link labeled Bruin Financial Aid. For a step by step walkthrough, we recommend viewing the video above named “Accessing the Portal."

How do I view and accept my financial aid on the Bruin Financial Aid Portal?

Please review our "Viewing an Award Package in the Bruin Financial Aid Portal" video tutorial provided in the "Video Resources and PDF Guides" section above for step by step guidance. 

Will I still be able to view my financial aid awards from previous academic years?

Yes, if you are a continuing student at UCLA. You will be able to access information from your previous financial aid years through your MyUCLA under the “Finances and Jobs” tab. If you are a continuing student and need guidance on accessing information from previous years, please review our FATV Portal for additional guidance.

I’m having issues navigating the Bruin Financial Aid Portal. What should I do?

We recommend you first review the help videos and guides on this webpage, which offer guidance on common Bruin Financial Aid tasks. If these guides do not address your technical question, please contact your respective UCLA Financial Aid department.

Why do we need a new financial aid system and how will it help students?

Bruin Financial Aid modernizes financial aid processing at UCLA, to the benefit of students, financial aid staff, and by extension the entire UCLA community. 

When will I start using the new system?

You will be notified when it is time for you to start using the new system. Instructions will be sent through your email on file. Most students will begin to use the system in February 2025 or March 2025, however some students will begin to use the Bruin Financial Aid Portal as early as January 2025. We will import FAFSA and CADAA data at the end of January 2025 for admitted and matriculated UCLA students. If you are a continuing student, please be aware that all financial aid activity will be administered through the Bruin Financial Aid Portal starting in 2025-2026. 

How is UCLA preparing for the transition?

The new system will be implemented in several phases, each focused on a different aspect of UCLA’s financial aid processing and administration. Students and financial aid staff will be provided relevant communications, training, and resources to support their transition to the new system.

How will the new system impact the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application? 

The implementation of Bruin Financial Aid will NOT impact the process of applying for financial aid through the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, nor does it affect financial aid eligibility.