Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

UCM School Code: 041271

Other important web sites:
Website: FAFSA: studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Website: CSAC:  www.csac.ca.gov

• Financial Wellness Center
• How to Apply
• Types of Financial Aid
• Eligibility
• Disbursement of Financial Aid
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Effects of Withdrawing on Financial Aid

 

The UC Merced Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) is committed to supporting student success by offering accessible financial aid, comprehensive student support, and financial wellness services. These services are designed to help students not only during their time at UC Merced but also well beyond graduation, ensuring that higher education remains within reach.

We administer a range of financial aid programs and scholarships to help cover your educational expenses. Please note that financial aid is not available for students on special or limited enrollment status or for those enrolled in University Extension, except for students in the Teacher Preparation Program.

All students, regardless of family income, are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Nearly 90 percent of UC Merced undergraduate students receive some form of assistance. Our financial aid programs aim to remove financial barriers for families who cannot afford the full cost of higher education and to bridge the gap for those who can cover only a portion of it. We consider several factors to determine eligibility, including family income, family size, assets, and your on- or off-campus living arrangements. While most grant awards are based on financial need, some scholarships and loans are available regardless of need.

Our bilingual advising team is dedicated to helping you and your family navigate the application process and understand the full range of financial aid opportunities available at UC Merced. We welcome your questions and are here to provide the support and guidance you need throughout your educational journey. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact our Students First Center (SFC) for assistance.

Financial Wellness Center

For many students, college is the first time they are in control of their own finances. In 2020, we launched UC Merced’s Financial Wellness Center (FWC). The Center provides education and empowerment on money management topics relevant to college life and beyond. This is accomplished through the delivery of digital content, interactive workshops, classroom engagement, special campus events, and personalized financial coaching sessions, as well as working closely with the Basic Needs Office and the Dean of Students. 

Coaching topics include Personal Budgeting, Bank Accounts, Moving Off-Campus, Paychecks, Insurance, Salary Negotiation, Credit Scores, Homebuying, Investing, Student Loan Repayment, Car Buying, Leases, ID Theft, Retirement, Emergency Savings, Financial Crisis.

Find more information on the Financial Wellness Center’s website.

How to Apply

Students applying for financial aid from UC Merced, the Federal Government and/or the state of California must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

The FAFSA or CADAA, as well as the Cal Grant GPA Verification form, should be completed and submitted as soon as possible after October 1st and no later than March 2nd. If the March 2nd priority deadline has already passed, you are encouraged to still apply as a late applicant as some funding may still be available. Apply as soon as possible! We receive and process financial aid applications throughout the academic year. A financial aid advisor is available to assist students and parents with the financial aid application process and can review any special circumstances that may affect aid eligibility. Please contact our SFC for assistance. 

New students who are citizens or FAFSA-eligible non-citizens:

1. Complete and submit the FAFSA and ensure a verified GPA was submitted to the California Student Aid Commission between October 1st and March 2nd. Note: For incoming freshmen, most high schools electronically send GPA information to the Commission.

2. Complete and return any additional documents requested by the OFAS by June 1st.

New students who are not FAFSA-eligible and are AB 540-eligible:

1. Complete and submit the CADAA and ensure a verified GPA was submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2nd (GPA is typically transmitted electronically to the Commission by most high schools for incoming freshman).
2. Complete a UC Merced Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) application if required on your Student Checklist in Connect. Students will be evaluated for AB 540 status as part of the SLR process.
3. Complete and return any additional documents requested by the OFAS by June 1st.

Continuing Students who are citizens or FAFSA-eligible non-citizens:

1. Complete and submit the FAFSA between October 1st and March 2nd.
2. Complete and submit a UC Merced Continuing Student Scholarship Application between February 1st and March 2nd.
3. Complete and return any additional documents requested by the OFAS by June 1st.

Continuing students who are not FAFSA-eligible and are AB 540-eligible:

1. Complete and submit the CADAA between October 1st and March 2nd.
2. Complete and submit a UC Merced Continuing Student Scholarship Application between February 1st and March 2nd.
3. Complete and return any additional documentation requested by the OFAS by June 1st.

Summer Session (all students):

1. Complete either the FAFSA or CADAA for the most recent academic year (e.g., 2024-25 FAFSA for summer 2025), if you haven’t already done so.
2. Comply with any requests for additional information.

Types of Financial Aid

Students who receive financial aid may receive funds from one or more of the following sources: grants, scholarships loans and work-study.

Gift Aid

Grants

Grants are funded by federal and state governments, foundations, corporations, and/or non-profit organizations. Recipients are typically determined based on financial need, or in connection with a research proposal or project, and awards do not have to be repaid.  The proceeds of the grants are used to help offset recipients’ cost of education and/or research expenses.

The Federal Government provides funds for Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and TEACH Grants. The State of California offers Cal Grants (A and B), Middle Class Scholarships (MCS),  Chafee Grants, and Golden State Teacher Grants. Additionally, institutional grant funds are provided by the University of California.

Federal Pell Grants

The Pell Grant program is the largest student grant program administered by the federal government. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, applicants must complete a FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, be enrolled in their initial undergraduate degree program or post-baccalaureate Teacher Preparation program, have demonstrated financial need, are not in default of a federal student loan, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.  Lifetime eligibility is limited to 12-semesters / 18-quarters (i.e., 6-years) of full-time equivalent awards. Pell Grant maximum awards for full-time students may change from year to year depending on Congressional appropriations. The award amount depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by completing the FAFSA, as well as your enrollment intensity (percentage of full-time enrollment at which a student is enrolled).

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

The SEOG program is a federal campus‐based program designed to supplement other sources of financial aid for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need based on FAFSA data. As a federal campus‐based program, annual SEOG allocations are provided to individual universities in varying amounts, based on the school’s enrollment data, and may be awarded to students at the school’s discretion within the parameters of federal student aid eligibility guidelines. Therefore, SEOG fund availability, award amounts, and eligibility requirements vary from university to university. Due to our limited allocation, we award this grant to our neediest students first until funds are exhausted.  

Cal Grants

The Cal Grant Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that helps eligible California residents and AB 540 students pay for college or university. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, demonstrate financial need, and adhere to application deadlines. These awards do not need to be repaid.

Once awarded, Cal Grants can be renewed for up to three additional years if recipients continue to meet CSAC’s requirements for income, assets, unmet need, enrollment level, academic progress, and filing deadlines. In addition, students enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program may qualify for a fifth year of funding.

Cal Grant A awards are based on financial need and academic achievement. This grant covers UC system-wide tuition and Student Service fees. Note: It does not cover campus-based fees.

Cal Grant B awards are based on financial need and are for entering undergraduate students, primarily from low-income backgrounds. For first-year students, Cal Grant B provides a stipend each semester to assist with living expenses. For students in their second through fourth years, it covers UC system-wide tuition and Student Service fees, plus a stipend each semester to assist with living expenses. It is UC Merced’s policy to apply the stipend portion of your Cal Grant B award to fees first. If you would like the stipend to instead be refunded to you, please contact our office.

Cal Grant recipients should enroll in at least 15 units per semester, or 30 units per academic year, in order to graduate before their 4-year Cal Grant eligibility is exhausted.

Middle Class Scholarships (MCS)

Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with a scholarship to attend a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campus. Students with family income and assets up to $217,000 may be eligible. Award amounts are determined by the California Student Aid Commission and will take into account any federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant, UC Merced Bobcat Grant and scholarships you have been awarded.

Chafee Grants

CSAC administers the Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program through an interagency agreement with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program provides eligible California youth aging out of the foster care with financial assistance to attend an eligible postsecondary institution. Students may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 per year. The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Application is available on CSAC’s website.

Golden State Teacher Grants (GSTG)

CSAC administers the GSTG Program through an interagency agreement with the California Department of Education (CDE). The GSTG Program provides eligible California residents pursuing a teaching career with financial assistance to enroll in an approved teacher preparation program. Recipients may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 per year. The GSTG Application is available on CSAC’s website. Please note that funding for this program is limited and the availability of the grant may change or be discontinued at any time.

University Grants

The University of California returns a portion of all tuition revenue to financial aid programs. UC Merced uses this funding to provide a need-based institutional grant program called Bobcat Grants to eligible students. Bobcat Grant eligibility is determined using the UC Education Financing Model (EFM) formula approved by the UC Regents for all UC campuses.

UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

The UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is a guarantee to students whose family income is below $80,000 per year that they will be awarded enough gift-aid from a combination of federal, state, and/or institutional funds to at least cover their UC systemwide tuition and fees.

UC Debt Free Pathway Initiative

As part of the UC President’s initiative to create a pathway toward reduced student loan indebtedness, low-income students who meet the eligibility criteria will be awarded additional Bobcat Grant intended to help meet your total cost of attending UC Merced.  This additional funding effectively reduces the dollar amount you will be responsible for paying out of pocket while also reducing your need to borrow student loans, thereby creating a potential pathway toward a debt-free UC education. Costs not covered by grants and scholarships could potentially be met by earning wages through part-time work or savings; however, you are still entitled to borrow the maximum student loan amount for which you are eligible. Every student’s circumstances are different, and we encourage you to consult with a Financial Aid Advisor to consider your options. 

UC Native American Opportunity Plan

UC students enrolled in a degree program who are California residents and are enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes will have their UC systemwide tuition and fees fully covered with gift-aid from federal, state, institutional and/or Tribal funds.

Note: Students who are potentially eligible must submit tribal enrollment documentation from their federally recognized tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).  Contact our office for more information.

Scholarships

UC Merced administers various scholarships designed to assist undergraduate students with their educational costs. These scholarships are provided through the generosity of UC alumni, Friends of UC Merced, corporations, businesses, professional associations, and UC Merced. These scholarships include:

• Merit-Based/Academic Scholarships (i.e., outstanding academic performance, talents, and leadership ability.  May include intended area of interest); and,
• Need-Based Scholarships (i.e., demonstrated financial need from the FAFSA or CADAA. May include academic performance).

New Students (frosh and transfers): For new students, one application does it all! All incoming students are automatically considered for institutional scholarships administered by the OFAS simply by submitting a FAFSA or CADAA by March 2nd. New students must have at least a 3.25 GPA to be considered for most scholarships.

If the student has been awarded a scholarship by an external entity, they are obligated to report it to us via their UC Merced Connect portal so we can add it to their financial aid award package.

Additional external scholarship opportunities are posted on our website at ucmerced.academicworks.com/opportunities/external.

Continuing Students: Continuing students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA as of the end of the prior fall semester to be considered for institutional scholarships. Continuing students must submit a FAFSA or CADAA and a Continuing Student Scholarship Application by March 2nd.

Self-Help Aid

Loans

Loans are financial aid awards that require repayment with interest. They offer the opportunity to defer the cost of your educational expenses by borrowing now and repaying later. While some loan programs are based on financial need, there are loan programs available to all students regardless of income. Most loan programs available through UC Merced are federally funded, providing long-term, low-interest education loans.

Direct Student Loans

Federal Direct Loans are guaranteed, low-interest loans for students. UC Merced participates in the Direct Loan program meaning the loans are processed through the U.S. Department of Education and are funded by the U.S. Treasury. This ensures that the borrower will have a reliable and predictable source of funding.

• Direct Subsidized Student Loan: The federal government pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree program.  Payments and interest begin six months after the student either graduates or drops below half-time enrollment.
• Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan: The student is responsible for paying interest while in school but may opt to defer any interest payments until after graduation or ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree program. If interest is deferred, it will be capitalized (i.e., added to the loan balance) when repayment begins.

Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

A Federal PLUS Loan is a low-interest loan for biological or adoptive parents to borrow to help pay the educational expenses for their dependent student. The parent must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a good credit history. The dependent student must also be eligible to receive federal financial assistance. Like the Federal Direct Loan, the Department of Education provides funds for the Federal PLUS program.

The parent may borrow up to the school’s cost of attendance, minus any aid the student received. Different repayment options are provided by the Department of Education and are designed to provide flexibility in meeting repayment obligations. If the parent-borrower does not qualify for a PLUS Loan, they may either:

• Obtain an Endorser (i.e., another adult with good credit who is willing to co-sign the loan); or
• If the parent cannot locate an Endorser, the dependent student may then qualify to borrow additional Unsubsidized loan funds on their own.

DREAM Loans

Students who qualify under the CA Dream Act and graduate from a California high school are eligible for state and university aid; however, they are not eligible for federal aid, including federal loans. The CA DREAM loan program helps close that gap by providing these students with the opportunity to borrow funds to help pay for their education. There is no interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time while working toward a degree, and both payments and interest begin six months after the student graduates or ceases to enroll at least half-time.

Private Loans

The State of California requires that students be informed of the following: Federal student loans are available to students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which private education loans are not required to provide.

Private loans are funds available to students who are not eligible for financial aid, or they need additional funds to meet their educational expenses. Eligibility is determined by the cost of attendance minus other financial aid or the annual loan maximum amount as determined by the lender.

Because private loans are not guaranteed by the federal government, they must be insured privately. This extra cost is passed on to the borrower in the form of higher fees and interest rates. In addition, the lender will look at your credit history as well as other factors to determine if they will lend to you. You may be denied by one lender and approved by another because of the way the lender interprets your information.

Students should exhaust all federal student loan eligibility before borrowing private student loans.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is a federal campus-based program designed to provide eligible students an opportunity to work part-time (i.e., up to 18 hours per week during an academic term), typically on-campus, while earning money to help pay for their educational-related expenses. Jobs are available with flexible schedules that can be adjusted around each student’s classes. Students may only earn up to the amount they are awarded for the year. The advantage of a FWS job over a non-FWS Student Assistant job is that your earnings are not considered in calculating your future aid eligibility. Students are not obligated to accept their FWS award. A student may choose to participate in the program by accepting or declining the work-study award online at UC Merced Connect. 

All FWS and non-FWS jobs are posted online at UC Merced’s Handshake page.

Eligibility

General Eligibility Requirements

Financial aid programs are subject to myriad federal, state, UC, and institutional regulations that students must meet to qualify and maintain their aid eligibility.  These requirements generally include:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the U.S. and complete the FAFSA, OR live in California and meet the requirements for non-resident exemption AB540 status and complete the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA),
2. Be accepted for admission to the University.
3. Be enrolled at least half-time and in good standing at the University. Units taken through University Extension are not counted for financial aid purposes, except for the Teacher Preparation Program.
4. Demonstrate financial need, except for Federal Unsubsidized Loans and Federal PLUS Loans.
5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid, as outlined below.
6. Not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal educational loan.

Note: Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (based on living on-campus, off-campus, or at home) and all available resources, including the Student Aid Index, and any outside aid.

Full-time Enrollment

Students not enrolled in an approved part-time program are expected to enroll full time at the university. Students not enrolled full time by the 15th day of instruction each semester may have to pay back some of their financial aid.

Academic Activity

UC Merced confirms academic activity for undergraduate and graduate students each semester. We recalculate financial aid after the 15th day of instruction for all undergraduate and graduate aid recipients based on their enrollment status in those classes which we can confirm that the student began attendance.  If we are unable to document the student’s attendance in a class, via the learning management system (i.e., CatCourses) activity or instructor reporting, aid will be adjusted to exclude the units for that class.  Student will have an opportunity to appeal if they have supporting documentation confirming their attendance.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Generally, financial aid is offered for two semesters each academic year, with an equal amount available each semester to eligible students. The Office of Student Billing Services is responsible for the disbursement and delivery of financial aid.

Once all necessary requirements are complete, financial aid funds are disbursed into the student’s university account no sooner than 10 days prior to the first day of classes. All funds are applied to institutional charges first, and any remaining amount will be applied toward authorized charges on the student’s account or refunded to the student or parent, as appropriate.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards listed below apply to all aid applicants, whether aid was received for prior coursework.  A student’s eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs is affected by this policy. Note: some funds have higher academic and/or enrollment requirements.

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, students must meet all three standards: Cumulative GPA, Pace, and Maximum Time Frame.

GPA Requirement

Financial aid applicants must maintain a minimum cumulative University of California grade point average (i.e., average of all terms combined). 

Pace Requirement

All financial aid applicants must complete at least 66.7% of all units attempted to keep pace toward graduation.

Pace = UCM Completed Units + Accepted Transfer Units
           UCM Attempted Units + Accepted Transfer Units

• The number of attempted units counted in the formula reflect the units attempted as they appear on the student’s transcript.
• Units granted for AP and IB coursework are excluded; college level units earned by the student while still enrolled in high school are included.
• All transfer units UC Merced accepts toward a student’s program are included in the pace calculation, both as attempted units as well as completed units.
• Units for the following grades will not be counted as completed units toward meeting the pace requirement for undergraduate students: F (failure), I (incomplete), NP (not pass), U (unsatisfactory), W (withdraw), NR (no grade reported).
• The pace calculation includes all completed and attempted units from the academic year’s summer term.
• If a student repeats a previously passed course, only the first repeat will apply toward the completed unit count; subsequent repeats will not. This does not apply to courses that are repeatable for credit (i.e., independent study courses).
• Required remedial courses are included in the Pace calculation.

Maximum Time Frame Requirement

All financial aid applicants are allowed up to a certain number of units of financial aid eligibility, including transfer units. Students exceeding the unit limits will be ineligible for financial aid. 

Example: 180 Units - Transfer Units = Remaining Eligibility for Bachelor Degree

Students exceeding the maximum timeframe will be ineligible to receive financial aid. Students will not be granted additional eligibility solely by reason of changing their major or pursuing more than one major or a minor.

• Every unit attempted as of the Add/Drop period is counted toward the maximum timeframe.
• Units earned during terms in which the student did not receive aid are counted toward the maximum timeframe.
• Maximum timeframe measure also includes all the bulleted items under the Pace Requirement section.
• Units earned during summer terms attended are counted toward the maximum timeframe. 
• Transfer units UC Merced accepts toward a student’s program, up to 70, are counted toward the maximum timeframe.
• Students pursuing a double-major or second baccalaureate degree will be held to the same standards as all other students.

If a student fails to meet any standard, they will be notified that they are ineligible for financial aid beginning with the term immediately following the term the SAP requirements were not met. Because SAP is monitored annually at the end of the spring term, the first term of ineligibility will typically be the following summer or fall term. Eligibility for financial aid will only be reinstated if the student subsequently meets the SAP requirements or if the student successfully appeals.

SAP Appeal Process

A student who does not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is considered ineligible for financial aid. However, UC Merced allows a student to appeal their financial aid ineligibility if they have special circumstances that prevented them from meeting SAP. Special circumstances include but are not limited to significant life events such as the death or illness of a loved one, personal injury or illness, pregnancy, homelessness, loss of childcare or transportation, employment changes, becoming a crime victim, family issues, financial difficulties, changes in academic major, and inability to access support services can impact students

Students are encouraged to submit an appeal as soon as they receive notification from the financial aid office. SAP appeals are reviewed within three to four weeks from the time a complete appeal is submitted.

A complete SAP Appeal includes a statement explaining special circumstances, a plan for improvement, and supporting documentation. The appeal is available online at finaidapps.ucmerced.edu and paper copies are available upon request. Instructions for completing the appeal are sent to all students who do not meet the SAP policy. Appeals may be submitted in any term after a student does not meet the SAP policy. Appeals can be submitted online or in person at the Financial Aid Office.

Supporting documentation for special circumstances is required. This may include letters from medical providers, degree or academic planning materials from a college advisor, or supporting statements from other on-campus support services such as Student Accessibility Services. UC Merced recognizes that, in some instances, it can be unreasonable or potentially re-traumatizing to produce supporting documentation. A student who cannot reasonably produce documentation should contact OFAS for assistance. We are here to help!

Academic Advisors will create academic plans for all appeal submissions when the student has a cumulative GPA of 1.0 or less or 90+ completed units. The plan ensures that, if followed, the student will maintain sufficient progress toward their degree. Academic plans become part of the Terms and Conditions a student must follow if their appeal is approved.

Approval will be based on the student’s circumstances that hindered their academic progress, supporting documentation, and a reasonable expectation that the student can reestablish progress toward a degree objective. If the appeal is approved, the student will be informed via email notifying them to review and accept Terms and Conditions. Financial aid will not disburse until the Terms and Conditions are accepted.

Financial aid eligibility is reinstated for one term at a time within the academic year, until the OFAS evaluates SAP for all students at the end of spring. The OFAS monitors adherence to Terms and Conditions at the end of every term and only extends financial aid eligibility to the following term if the Terms and Conditions from the term prior are met.

If a student’s appeal is denied, they will be informed via email notifying them of their option to request a second review by a reviewer who did not participate in the initial review. Requests for a second review for a denied appeal must be submitted in writing.

Effects of Withdrawing on Financial Aid

Students withdrawing from UC Merced during a semester or for a future semester must file an Official Notice of University Cancellation/Withdrawal Form with the University Registrar. When a student withdraws from UC Merced, the withdrawal date used to calculate the amount of financial aid that needs to be returned is the latest of the following:

1. The date when student files the Official Notice of University Cancellation/Withdrawal Form with the University Registrar, or
2. The date when the student officially notifies the Registrar’s Office of their intent to withdraw; or
3. UC Merced determines what most accurately reflects the last date of an academically related activity of the student.

Students who enroll in the Educational Leave Program are subject to the same guidelines as those listed above for students who withdraw from UC Merced.

If the student leaves without beginning UC Merced’s official withdrawal process or otherwise providing official notification of their intent to withdraw, the withdrawal date for the return of federal funds will be the 50% point in the term. In this instance, UC Merced could determine an earlier withdrawal date if circumstances beyond the student’s control (e.g., illness) prevented them from beginning the official withdrawal process. UC Merced could also determine the last date of an academically related activity of the student.

The date used to determine the return of federal funds may be different than the date used by UC Merced to determine institutional refunds.

IMPORTANT WARNING: The duration of your financial aid eligibility is limited. When you withdraw or take an educational leave for a term after aid is disbursed you use one semester of eligibility!