Students can request an increase to their financial aid budget and receive financial aid to cover the allowable expenses outlined below. In most circumstances, additional support offered will be in the form of loans. Please see the instructions below to review a list of the allowable expenses and what documentation you will be required to submit for each. Expenses must be incurred by and for the student during the period, in which they are enrolled.
24/25 Academic Year Instructions
Currently enrolled students can submit a Budget Increase Request and/or a Housing Adjustment Form for consideration via the links provided below.
Increasing your Cost of Attendance to offset private scholarship/s, departmental aid, or resolve over-awards:
If you request a budget increase so your department or an outside donor can provide additional funding without creating an over-award to your existing aid, you can indicate this on your online form. Financial Aid and Scholarships will not offer you additional assistance in that case. The increase will only be used to increase your Cost of Attendance to allow aid from other sources to be posted to your account and prevent a financial aid over-award.
25/26 Academic Year Instructions
NOTE: Submissions will not be processed until late-May 2025 for Summer 2025 and July 2025 for the 25/26 Academic Year.
Requests to increase your financial aid budget will be submitted via the Bruin Financial Aid Portal (BFA). Please review the instructions provided below carefully before submitting your request and supporting documentation via the BFA Portal. Once you access BFA, select "Documents" and proceed with the instructions provided below:
- Select “upload a non requested document”
- From “Document Name” select Appeal: Budget Increase Form and select the owner (student) and the award year
- Provide information in “Enter Document Data” fields
- Use “Add an Additional Document” button to attach the required supporting documentation (requests will not be processed without supporting documentation)
Please upload acceptable forms of verifying documentation for each category mentioned below. Itemize all expenses and circle items on supporting documentation/receipts before uploading.
Allowable Expenses
Child Care
Parenting students are eligible to add the out-of-pocket cost for childcare expenses. Expenses may be split between a two-parent household. Private school tuition is not covered.
Expected Aid: If federal student loans are maximized, a small grant may be awarded based on eligibility.
Documentation
Submit a personalized contract or a letter from your childcare provider describing the services offered and their costs. Also, please provide proof of payment (such as cleared checks, money orders or copies of receipts) for at least two consecutive months.
Travel Expenses
Intended to help cover the cost of travel for family visits such as holidays or family emergencies. We can consider up to four roundtrip travel expenses, such as airfare, bus, train, and car rental.
- Airfare and economy seating should be purchased in advance.
- Rideshare to and from campus are not included.
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover allowable travel expenses.
Documentation
Receipts must be provided showing your name, price paid, and travel date. (Purchase and travel must be within your enrollment period. Will allow travel for the fall term as early as Sept 1)
Medical /Dental Expenses
Expenses incurred and paid out of pocket (not covered by insurance) for the student during the enrollment period will be considered.
Estimates of procedures will not be accepted. Additionally, cosmetic surgery or procedures such as braces will not be covered. *Some procedures may require an explanation from a physician indicating that the procedure is required.
Expected Aid:You will be offered additional loans to cover allowable out of pocket medical expenses.
Documentation
Multiple transactions require an itemized statement by date and amount paid. Proof of payment, such as copies of receipts, credit card statements, or cleared bank checks, are required (front and back copy).
Special Projects
Including: Licenses and Certificates
Expenses incurred for special projects must be part of your required coursework. Our office will ensure that no duplication of standard budget components exists at the time of review and may follow up for receipts to verify expenses incurred before awarding additional aid eligibility.
Expected Aid: We will offer loans to assist with your special program unless you or your department specify you will receive departmental or outside agency funding.
Licenses and Certificates:
Request allowance for one-time direct costs associated with obtaining their first professional license or certificate, provided they are enrolled in a program that requires such licensure or certification. This allowance is only available twice per eligible academic program per student. Allowable costs include fees associated with licensing exams and the costs of applying for and obtaining the license or certification. The cost must be incurred during the period of enrollment, even if the exam or certification is obtained after the period has ended. While costs for multiple licenses or credential test attempts may be included, they are limited to a maximum of two repeats.
Documentation
Submit an itemized budget, signed by a professor /advisor on department letterhead, that lists individual expenses and verifies that those expenses are reasonable and necessary AND not paid for directly by your department.
Computer Purchase
This expense will be allowed only once during a student's enrollment per degree at UCLA. Computer and computer-related expenses include one computer (desktop, laptop, or tablet), insurance, and basic software such as Microsoft Office. A maximum of $2000 can be considered.
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover your computer expenses.
Documentation
Submit a copy of a receipt verifying proof of purchase for the computer. The receipt must be in students' names, or credit cards may be used to verify purchases. If purchased by a parent, you will need to provide a statement from the parent indicating aid will be used to reimburse them for the cost of the computer.
Rent Expenses, or change to Housing Status
If your actual rent/mortgage, or UCLA Housing expense exceed our monthly standard below, we can increase your attendance cost by the difference over your academic year enrollment period.
24/25 academic year submissions
- UG- On-Campus monthly standard $1,888
- UG- Off-Campus monthly standard $1,362
- Graduate monthly standard $1,516
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover your housing/rent expense.
25/26 academic year submissions
Housing allowances will be published when available.
Documentation
24/25 academic year submissions
Please complete the Housing Adjustment form and refer to the instructions provided on the form for supporting documentation required.
25/26 academic year submissions
Please upload your rental or lease agreement and proof of payment to the Bruin Financial Aid Portal.
Submission Due Date
Please submit your request two weeks before the end of your enrollment period for processing.