Financial Aid Packaging Policy for Graduate Students

Learn how the Financial Aid Office determines the amount of financial aid you're eligible to receive, and in what order awards are made.

In the right place? If you're an undergraduate student, see Packaging Policy for Undergraduates.

How packaging works:

Award packaging covers your financial need with a mix of different types of financial aid.

• "Need" is the difference between the UCSD budget (your total education costs) and your expected family contribution, as determined by your FAFSA. Read more about how UCSD determines financial aid awards.
• If you're eligible for financial aid, your need will be funded by various sources on a first-come, first-served basis, based on fund availability. Funds are distributed in the following sequence:
  1. Office of Graduate Studies support (fellowships, stipends, fee awards), awarded by your academic department
  2. Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Graduate PLUS)
  3. Graduate Opportunity Grant/ Grant-in-Aid
     Note: You must file your FAFSA by March 2 to be eligible for the Graduate Opportunity Grant.
• The law requires the Financial Aid Office to coordinate your financial aid awards with all university support awarded by your department and the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). Your university support includes any of the following awarded by your or any other department:
  • Assistantships (TAs, GSRs, Associates, and staff employment titles)
  • Fellowships and traineeships
  • Fee and tuition payments
  • Stipends

How UCSD coordinates your financial aid and other support:

• If your department has reported to the Financial Aid Office that your university support is unknown: The Financial Aid Office will only award you a Direct Loan, so you can begin the loan application process before the fee deadline.

  Suggested course of action:

  • Apply for the Subsidized Direct Loan now, and apply for an UnsubsidizedDirect Loan after your university support is determined and updated by your department.
  • The Financial Aid Office will later revise your financial aid award package once university support information becomes available; at that time, your loan amount may be reduced or canceled.
  • The Financial Aid Office will notify your lender of any reduction or cancellation of loan eligibility.

• If your department has determined the amount of your university support and has reported it to the Financial Aid Office: The Financial Aid Office will determine your financial aid eligibility by taking this University support into account.

  Make sure you:

  • Access and review your financial aid awards via the Financial Aid tool to verify the types and amounts of support listed. Incomplete or incorrect information will affect your eligibility for all or part of the financial aid (including loans) awarded to you.
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office about any omissions or discrepancies in the university support listed on your Financial Aid Award Confirmation. Send an e-mail, or report university support via Financial Aid tool: While on the Financial Aid Checklist page, choose the link "Reporting of Additional Resources."
    • If you receive additional university support not listed on your financial aid award confirmation: Your financial aid will be reduced, requiring you to repay aid received or to return/ cancel loans.

Adjustments to your awards:

The Financial Aid Office will adjust your awards throughout the academic year as any additional university support is later reported.

Make sure you:

• Notify the Financial Aid Office immediately if the source or amount of your support changes in subsequent quarters, even if the total dollar amount remains the same.
• Ask the Financial Aid Office for advice on how your university support can affect your financial aid awards, so you can plan accordingly and avoid a financial crisis.
• Notify the Financial Aid Office about any omissions or discrepancies in the university support listed on your Financial Aid Award Confirmation.