Financial Aid Timeline Current Undergraduates

If you're a new financial aid applicant, register for your FSA ID from the Department of Education so you can electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and your parents can both register for an FSA ID.

NOTE for 2024-25:

For 2024-25 the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is scheduled to be available in December 2023. For updates on availability visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Generally the 2024-25 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is available at the same time as the FAFSA. For updates on the 2024-25 CADAA visit https://dream.csac.ca.gov.

You may also qualify for outside agency scholarships. Review these lists, follow the application instructions for each scholarship, and add all deadlines to your personal calendar.

• The FAFSA and CADAA are scheduled to be available. Make sure to list UC San Diego school code 001317 on the application, so UC San Diego will receive your information.
  • Learn more about the FAFSA.
  • Students who have a Social Security Number must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should not complete both applications.
  • The Dream Act Application is an application for state and university aid. It is not an application for federal financial aid. The application is for:
    • AB540 eligible students.
    • Students who cannot file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA).
    • Students who attended at least three full years in a California public or private high school.
    • Graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the college term.
    • If without lawful immigration status, have or will file an affidavit with the college or university they are attending stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so. This affidavit is filed with the college they attend.
• Once you filed your Financial Aid Application:
  • FAFSA Filers: Ensure that your FAFSA is complete with the Department of Education.
    • Review the FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy, and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed and the name, date and SSN on your UC Admissions application matches the information on your FAFSA.
    • If necessary, correct your FAFSA online
    • Note: if your FAFSA is submitted as “Provisionally Independent” you will still need to submit a Dependency Appeal with the UC San Diego Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. For more information on the appeal process please visit https://fas.ucsd.edu/forms-and-resources/forms or contact our office: https://fas.ucsd.edu/contact.
• CADAA filers: Ensure that you submitted your application through the California Student Aid Commissions (CSAC). After the initial successful submission of your application, the CSAC will send you an email with your nine-digit Dream ID number. If you haven’t received an email from us, be sure to check your spam/junk folders. Keep this number in a safe place; you will use your Dream ID number.
  • Review your application for accuracy and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed.
  • If necessary, correct your CA Dream Act Application online through CSAC.

• Use the Financial Aid tool to access next year's Continuing Student and Summer Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) Application. With this one online application you'll be considered for all merit awards, all financial need awards (if a financial aid recipient), all restricted awards, and all summer research awards for which you are eligible.

• UC San Diego continuing scholarships application deadline, April 2nd, 11:59 p.m.: Complete and submit your application online using the Financial Aid tool.

• UC San Diego summer Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) deadline, February 3, 11:59pm: Complete and submit your application online for next summer's application. You may submit a new application each year, even if you won one in previous years.

• In addition to UC San Diego scholarships, you may qualify for national competitive scholarships and outside agency scholarships. Review these lists often for new entries, and add the scholarship deadline dates to your personal calendar. Carefully follow the instructions listed for each scholarship.

• Cal Grant GPA verification deadline, March 2: If you don't currently have a California State Grant (Cal Grant), mail the Cal Grant GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission to be considered for one.

  • Learn more about grants.

• EXTENDED FAFSA deadline, May 2, midnight Central Daylight Time: Submit your FAFSA online to be considered for priority financial aid.

  • If you're mailing your FAFSA, make sure it's postmarked by May 2.

  • If you file after the May 2 deadline, you'll be considered only for federal Direct Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Loans, renewal Cal Grant, and Pell Grant.

• EXTENDED California Dream Act Application deadline, May 2, midnight Central Daylight Time: Submit your California Dream Application online to be considered for priority financial aid.

  • If you're mailing your California Dream Application, make sure it's postmarked by May 2.

  • If you file after the May 2 deadline, you may not be eligible for funding.

• If your FAFSA Submission Summary indicates you've been selected for verification: Complete the requested independent or dependent verification worksheet and submit it, along with any other required documents, to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

• Check your ucsd.edu e-mail inbox often for important communications from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. These messages may include requests for additional information to complete your application or to view and accept your official financial aid offer.

• Access your financial aid status and official financial aid awards using the Financial Aid tool.

• Financial Aid Document Deadline for Continuing Students, June 1: Continuing students should complete and submit required documents/tasks by the June 1 deadline to qualify for the best financial aid awards. Check the Financial Aid tool for additional documents or required tasks. Additional documents/actions may include verification worksheets, tax return transcripts, and resolving FAFSA processing holds indicated on your FAFSA Submission Summary.

• Log onto the Financial Aid tool for notification of UC San Diego continuing academic year and summer undergraduate research scholarship awards. You'll be notified of your scholarship status by June 1.

• Begin saving money for expenses you'll need to pay before you receive your fall quarter financial aid.

• Continue to check your ucsd.edu e-mail inbox often for important communications from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

• Summer Session financial aid: There is no application for Summer financial aid, however there are other requirements. For more information visit our Summer Session page.

• If you've accepted a new Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, Perkins Loan, and/ or a Parent PLUS Loan: Complete separate promissory notes for each new program.

• If you've accepted a new Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan and/or Perkins Loan:

  • Complete the required online loan counseling.

  • Learn more about loans.

• Continue to review national competitive scholarships and outside agency scholarships so you can apply in time for any of the scholarships you qualify for (many require references, essays, and application forms, so you'll need time to get everything together). Follow the application instructions required by each separate scholarship sponsor.

• Make sure you enroll in the minimum number of units for the quarter (see undergraduate enrollment requirements).

• After you've enrolled in classes and have completed the Financial Aid offer acceptance using the Financial Aid tool, your financial aid will be credited to your student account.

  • Learn more about how financial aid funds are paid to you.

• Enroll in direct deposit by the first week of September to ensure that, after university charges have been paid, any remaining award funds will be deposited directly into your bank account.

  • Learn more about direct deposit.