Based on inquiries by phone and email, below are the top five topics of the week. 

• I am a newly admitted nonresident undergraduate student, and I have some questions about my financial aid.

• We offer non-resident undergraduate students the maximum for which they are eligible in federal aid, including Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans.

  To help guide non-resident students, below are additional aid options:

  - Outside Scholarships for additional funding possibilities.

  - Work-study Students can receive work-study funds. However, they are responsible for finding a job. Students can search for a job through Handshake.

  - Additional Loans: If a student’s parent is unable to obtain a PLUS Loan and can provide proof of the denial to our office, along with the Unsubsidized Direct Loan Request form.

  - Private Loans for additional funding possibilities. 

• How can I apply for scholarships as a newly admitted undergraduate student?
• The UC Application served as your application for campus-based scholarships at UC Davis and merit-based scholarships were sent out alongside admission decisions. We recommend checking out our webpage for Outside Scholarships and the Cal Aggie Scholarships webpage if you would like to apply for additional opportunities.
• How much financial aid will I receive in the summer?

• Students can receive an estimate by using the Summer Financial Aid Estimator! This Summer Aid Estimator tool allows you to see an approximation of your funding options for the Summer. Online estimates are only available for UC Davis Summer Sessions, Special Sessions and Summer Abroad and Summer Internship Programs. 
   
  Enter any combination of units below and click the "Estimate" button. Our system will examine your financial aid for the year and show you our closest approximation of your funding options for the Summer. 
   
  You may combine units between any of the Sessions to total at least six (6) units for Financial Aid Eligibility. 

• How can I apply for summer financial aid and how does it work? 

• To be eligible for summer financial aid, you must:

  - be enrolled in at least 6 units for the session (units can be combined; for example, you can take 3 units in SSI and 3 units in SSII)

  - have a 2024-25 FAFSA or CADAA on file with UC Davis School Code 001313

  - have not filed to graduate for spring quarter 2025

  And meet one of the following requirements:

  - be in a degree-seeking program at the time of enrollment for spring 2025

  - be on an approved PELP program for spring 2025

  - be a newly admitted freshman or transfer student for fall 2025
  
  Summer financial aid funding is limited and will be given on a first-come first-served basis. Continuing UC Davis students attending summer sessions on our campus or participating in summer abroad through our campus do not have to submit a Summer Application. Your registration serves as your application for summer financial aid. Students will be packaged in the order that they register for classes or turn in their summer financial aid application. It is up to the student to inform our office of any unit adjustments, as it may affect their financial aid eligibility. You can notify our office by submitting a Summer Change in Aid form.

• How do I understand my costs at UC Davis as an entering undergraduate?  

• To better understand your out-of-pocket costs each term, use the Direct vs. Indirect Costs Worksheet. The Estimated Cost of Attendance includes the average costs for a student to attend UC Davis for one academic year, usually listed as nine-month amounts and used to determine aid packages only. The Total Estimated Cost of Attendance is the sum of all budget components, including both direct and indirect costs. Note that special programs and terms, such as summer sessions or graduate/professional degree programs, may have different calendars and therefore different budgets.

  Direct Costs: These are expenses included in the cost of attendance that the student or family pays directly to the university through MyBill. 

  • Actual charges may vary by student and can include systemwide tuition and fees, campus-based fees, housing, health insurance, and other educational expenses. 
     

  Indirect Costs: These are estimated expenses that are part of the cost of attendance but are not paid directly to the university through MyBill.

  • Indirect costs may include housing (if living off campus), books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. Please note that estimated cost of attendance amounts are subject to change Each portion of a student's budget is allocated to these categories: For more information about understanding your costs, or to learn more about the differences between Direct and Direct Costs.