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Financial aid

There's money available to help you attend UC and we want to make sure you take advantage of it. Whether you’re applying to UC or already a student, it’s important to know all your options.

What’s available for you

Undocumented students with AB 540 status qualify for many forms of financial aid, including exemption from nonresident tuition — which means you’ll be eligible for in-state tuition and fees — along with Cal Grants, UC grants and scholarships, and private scholarships. Some UC campuses also offer institutional work-study and loans for undocumented students. (Students without AB 540 status are only eligible for non-UC scholarships.)

Where to start

The first thing you should do is follow these steps to make sure you’re considered for financial aid. You’ll find everything you need to know about:

  • Eligibility for financial aid under the California Dream Act
  • How to automatically apply for certain UC scholarships
  • When and how to apply for state and UC financial aid

Learn more about applying for financial aid.

Ready to fill out the application? See our tips for completing the California Dream Act application. You’ll need to submit the Dream Act application every year you're enrolled in school to continue receiving aid.

Many UC students have part-time jobs to help cover a portion of their expenses. If you qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, you should apply for it. Obtaining work authorization and a Social Security Number under DACA will make it much easier for you to find a job.

To learn more about DACA, its benefits and the application procedure, visit the Undocumented Student Services office on your campus. Locate your campus services. 

Private scholarships

Private scholarships can help cover expenses not covered by UC and state financial aid. Consult with our campus contacts for help with finding scholarship opportunities, or visit these websites that list scholarships for undocumented students.

Keep in mind that UC is not affiliated with these sites. Before entering personal information at these (or any other) sites, make sure to read the site's privacy policy carefully.