The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) provides students the opportunity to earn UC units while attending a university abroad. UCEAP is partnered with 115 universities worldwide and offers programs in 42 countries. In order to apply for UCEAP, please visit University of California Education Abroad Program for important application information and deadlines.
Important Updates
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3): New Parent PLUS Loan Limits
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), also known as H.R. 1, was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The law introduces significant changes to federal student loan programs, with new loan limits taking effect July 1, 2026.
New Parent PLUS Loan Limits (Beginning 2026–2027)
Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, new Parent PLUS Loan borrowing limits will apply to parents of dependent undergraduate students who do not qualify for the limited exception to the new rules:
- Annual borrowing limit: Up to $20,000 per dependent student.
- Lifetime borrowing limit: Up to $65,000 per dependent student across all parent borrowers.
These limits apply to the combined borrowing of all parents for each student. Certain students and parent borrowers may qualify for a limited exception that allows them to continue borrowing under the previous loan limits for a specified period.
For more information about eligibility and the exception, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
- Potential Funding Gap: With these new borrowing limits, some families may not be able to cover the student's full Cost of Attendance (COA).
- Alternative Financing: Families may need to explore additional funding options, such as private education loans, scholarships, payment plans, or other available resources.
Applying for Financial Aid
Submit a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)every academic year you want to be considered for financial aid by the March 2nd deadline. UCEAP participants do not need a separate UCLA UCEAP financial aid application. Complete all requested UCLA financial aid requirements on your Bruin Financial Aid Portal.
Disbursement
Financial aid funding for UCEAP programs will disburse 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) before your program’s start date. The Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS) office reports financial aid funding to UCEAP once a week, reported aid may take time to appear in your MyUCEAP Portal.
Payment Deadlines for Financial Aid Recipients
Students receiving financial aid are not subject to the standard payment deadline. The $950 deposit will be deferred, and any late fees will be waived once financial aid is disbursed to the student’s UCEAP account.
Housing Expenses While Studying Abroad
Students are responsible for making arrangements to cover their housing expenses at home while participating in a UCEAP program. These expenses may include:
- Dormitory payments
- Rent
Important Financial Aid Information:
Financial aid can cover only the study abroad housing expenses included in your UCEAP budget. You are noteligible to receive financial aid to cover both your study abroad housing costs and your housing expenses at home during the same term(s) you are abroad.
Airfare Expenses
Students are responsible for paying for their airfare upfront. Once financial aid funds have been disbursed, students may use their accepted financial aid to reimburse themselves for these expenses.
Important: Please make appropriate financial arrangements to cover the cost of airfare before your financial aid is disbursed.
UCEAP eRefund and Excess Financial Aid
Your UCEAP account and UCLA (Bruinbill) account are separate systems. If eligible financial aid exceeds applicable UCEAP charges, UCEAP handles the excess funds. UCEAP eRefund must be set up separately from UCLA bruindirect. UCEAP currently advises students to establish eRefund before the disbursement request date; otherwise, a paper check may be mailed to the US address on-file.
UC Health Insurance (USHIP) and UCLA Bruin Bill Charges
During the academic year, UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) charges will continue to appear on your UCLA BruinBill for the quarter(s) you are studying abroad. If you are eligible for a UC SHIP Grant, the funds will be disbursed to your UCEAP account rather than your UCLA BruinBill. If you have an outstanding balance on your UCEAP account, the grant funds will first be applied toward that balance.
You are responsible for paying the UC SHIP charges on your UCLA BruinBill, even while studying abroad. We recommend paying these charges out of pocket by the payment deadline to avoid any late fees or holds.
For questions about waiving UC SHIP coverage, please contact the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
Awarding for Summer Programs
Summer Quarter Programs
Financial aid for summer programs is different from financial aid during the regular academic year. Your summer financial aid award is based on the total number of units you enroll in, and UCLA grant funding may be limited depending on your enrollment. This means the amount of aid you receive for summer may differ from what you normally receive during the academic year. Summer financial aid is scheduled to be disbursed in June, and you can view your disbursement date in your Bruin Financial Aid Portal. For additional information, visit the UCLA Summer Financial Aid website.
Variable-Unit Summer Programs
If you are participating in a summer program with variable units, your financial aid will initially be calculated using the minimum number of units required for your program. Later in the summer, UCEAP will confirm your final enrolled units with UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships (FAS). Once your units are confirmed, FAS will review your enrollment and make any necessary adjustments to your Pell Grant award. Your financial aid amount may change based on your final unit enrollment.
Dual Summer Enrollment: Summer EAP and UCLA Classes
Students participating in a Summer Education Abroad Program (EAP) may also enroll in UCLA Summer Sessions courses. Units from both programs will be considered when determining financial aid eligibility for the summer term.
Important Billing Information:If you are enrolled in a Summer UCEAP program, all summer financial aid disbursements will be applied to your MyUCEAP account. You are responsible for paying any fees associated with your UCLA Summer Sessions enrollment through your BruinBill account.
Awarding for Academic Year Programs
If you are participating in an Academic Year program, your financial aid will generally be similar to the aid you would receive while attending UCLA for the year. Your award will be based on your financial aid eligibility and the cost of attendance for your UCEAP program. If you are a legacy PLUS loan borrower, you may be offered a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help cover additional program costs.
If you are considered a new borrower based on OB3 guidelines, you will need to explore private loan or payment plan options. Payment Plan options must be discussed directly with UCEAP.
Fall Quarter/Fall Semester Programs
If you are participating in a fall quarter program, your financial aid will generally be similar to the aid you would receive while attending UCLA during Fall Quarter. Your award will be based on your financial aid eligibility and the cost of attendance for your UCEAP program. If you are a legacy PLUS loan borrower, you may be offered a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help cover additional program costs.
If you are considered a new borrower based on OB3 guidelines, you will need to explore private loan or payment plan options. Payment Plan options must be discussed directly with UCEAP.
Winter Quarter Programs
If you are participating in a winter quarter program, your financial aid will generally be similar to the aid you would receive while attending UCLA during Winter Quarter. Your award will be based on your financial aid eligibility and the cost of attendance for your UCEAP program.
If you are a legacy PLUS loan borrower, you may be offered a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help cover additional program costs. If you are considered a new borrower based on OB3 guidelines, you will need to explore private loan or payment plan options. Payment Plan options must be discussed directly with UCEAP.
Spring Semester Programs
If your spring semester program begins in January or February, your financial aid will be awarded under UCLA's WinterQuarter. Your financial aid award will appear in your Bruin Financial Aid Portal with a scheduled December disbursement date. Be sure to review your award and plan accordingly for any program expenses that may be due before your financial aid becomes available. If you are considered a new borrower based on OB3 guidelines, you will need to explore private loan or payment plan options. Payment Plan options must be discussed directly with UCEAP.
Students participating in a Spring Semester Education Abroad Program (EAP) are eligible for financial aid for oneterm only.
- Cal Grant:Students will be eligible for 1 term of their Cal Grant award.
- Pell Grant: Students will be eligible for 1 term of their Pell eligibility.
- FSEOG: Students will be eligible for 1 term of their FSEOG eligibility.
- Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans: Students will be awarded 1 term of their direct subsidized and unsubsidized loan eligibility.
- Direct Parent Plus Loan (Dependents): Legacy borrowers will be awarded the direct parent plus loan up to the program cost of attendance.
Depending on lifetime loan eligibility, new borrowers will be awarded 1 term of their direct parent plus loan eligibility.
- UC Ship Grant:This award will be awarded under the respective term. Winter USHIP Grant will be awarded under the Winter term and the Spring USHIP Grant will be awarded under Spring Term.
Spring Quarter Programs
If you are participating in a spring quarter program, your financial aid will generally be similar to the aid you would receive while attending UCLA during Spring Quarter. Your award will be based on your financial aid eligibility and the cost of attendance for your UCEAP program. If you are a legacy PLUS loan borrower, you may be offered a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help cover additional program costs. If you are considered a new borrower based on OB3 guidelines, you will need to explore private loan or payment plan options. Payment Plan options must be discussed directly with UCEAP.
Visa Support Letter
Students may request a Visa Support Letter using the UCLA process established by Financial Aid & Scholarships. The submitted form states that the letter is not a financial aid award notification and does not indicate the type or amount of aid a student may receive. It is provided solely to support the student’s visa application for the country where the study abroad program will take place. Visa Support Letters will be available within 24 hours of request. Request can be made via the Visa Letter Request through MYUCLA message center or in person at Murphy Hall A129.
Changes, Extensions, and Withdrawals
Changing or withdrawing from a UCEAP program can affect financial aid and may create a balance owed to UCLA and/or UCEAP. Students should contact the appropriate UCLA and UCEAP offices before making a change whenever possible.
Budget Increase Requests
UCEAP administers UCEAP budget increase requests. Students should contact UCEAP for questions about those requests. If UCEAP approves an increase that requires campus action, UCEAP will communicate the approved amount to UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships. We will update your budget accordingly and offer you loan eligibility.
Additional Aid Options and Aid That Will Not Transfer to UCEAP
Financial aid awards that are not processed or disbursed by UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships will appear as “External Study Abroad Awards” in your Bruin Financial Aid Portal. These awards may include various types of funding provided by UCEAP or other external sources. For a detailed breakdown of your awards and to confirm the amounts awarded, please review your UCEAP account.
Examples of these awards:
- UCEAP Scholarship processed by UCEAP
- Benjamin Gilman Scholarship Awards paid directly to students
- Cal Vet Fee Waivers
- Other tuition fee waivers processed by UCEAP
The following aid will nottransfer to UCEAP
- Federal Work-Study
- District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant Program for Washington, D.C. residents (DC TAG).
- For further assistance regarding this award please contact:
Third-Party Sponsors email: thirdpartysponsors@finance.ucla.edu
- VA Federal Benefits (Post 9/11 GI Bill Ch 33, Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E )Ch 31, Dependents Education Assistance (DEA) Ch 35, Montgomery GI Bill Ch 31, and Reserve Montgomery GI Bill Ch1606)
NON UC STUDY ABROAD Programs
UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships does not award financial aid for Non-UC Study Abroad Programs. If you are planning to participate in a study abroad program that is not affiliated with the University of California, please contact the UCLA Study Abroad Office for additional information and guidance.
Financial Aid from UCLA will only be provided for UCEAP,Summer Travel Study, and Global Internship programs.
Haven't had the opportunity to participate in a Study Abroad Webinar but want to learn more?
Check out the video below for more information as you prepare to apply for your program!
The International Education Office and UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships hosted a UCEAP Financial Aid Webinar for students interested in completing a UCEAP program during the 26/27 academic year.
