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Financial Resources for Students with Dependents

Last Updated: February 4, 2026 11:30:09 AM PST
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Learn about financial aid resources for students with dependents.

UCSD financial aid for students with dependents

UC San Diego's Financial Aid & Scholarships Office is a "family friendly" office, and we are here to serve you. Be aware of the following important information that may assist students with dependents.

  • If you pay child care costs, you may submit a budget add-on to document the costs. This form is on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office website.

  • If your rent exceeds what is in the basic budget, generally designed for a single student, you may request a budget add-on for the higher rent in on campus family housing or off campus housing. This form is on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office website.

  • If you are having difficulty meeting your expenses, then please visit the Financial Aid office for assistance with any financial concerns. We are here to support you as you work towards your graduation.

  • Students with Dependents Grant (Undergrads): to qualify for the Students with Dependents Grant and access priority enrollment, start by filing a FAFSA hen complete a Students with Dependents Verification Form (via TritonLink) 

    • Students can request this form via the Document Submission Tool on Triton Link. Provide your verification documents here (birth certificate, school documents, lease, etc.) to prove you support your dependent(s) 50% or more.  

    • Once dependent(s) are verified, an increase is made to the Cost of Attendance budget and additional loan options will be given. 

    • This information is being stored in Financial Aid’s system and will automatically roll over each year for continuing students. 

  • Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant provides financial aid to eligible students attending college to help cover tuition and other educational expenses. This is a grant, so it does not need to be repaid, making it a valuable resource for those who qualify based on financial need. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) found below and check with the financial aid office for additional details.

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs can fill out a FAFSA. Students must apply for financial aid every year and submit any required documents to the financial aid office.

  • California Dream Act Application (CADAA): The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students and other eligible non-citizens to apply for state and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and fee waivers, which do not need to be repaid, to help cover college costs, such as tuition and other educational expenses. To apply, complete the CADAA online, and be sure to submit any required documents to the financial aid office.
  • California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth: The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth provides financial support for current and former foster youth under the age of 26, helping them pursue their educational goals. This grant offers up to $5,000 per year for up to five years to help cover tuition, living expenses, and other college-related costs. To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must complete the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for this grant. To learn more about eligibility and apply, visit the Chafee Grant Application website.
  • Dependent Care Allowance: The Dependent Care Allowance can increase the amount of financial aid for which you’re eligible by including dependent care expenses, such as child care, in your cost of attendance (COA) budget, making it easier to balance family responsibilities with your studies. To qualify, you must be enrolled in college, have a dependent, and complete the FAFSA and any other requested financial aid forms. The allowance covers dependent care costs while you attend classes, study, do field work or internships, commute, and more. Contact the financial aid office to learn more about this.
  • Federal Work-Study: The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment opportunities for students while they are enrolled in school. The program is available to both full-time and part-time students, allowing them to earn money to help cover education and living expenses. Work-study jobs may include on-campus roles, positions with nonprofit or public agencies, and even partnerships with for-profit employers. To learn more and determine your eligibility, contact the financial aid office. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this program.
  • Cost of Attendance Appeal 

  • Special Circumstance Appeal 

  • International Student financial resources 

Please also visit the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for further procedures and deadlines.

Undergraduates families, you may be eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan to help pay for your UC education (available systemwide). Also consider applying for a scholarship to help decrease your UC San Diego costs.

In addition, there are additional resources available for Students with Dependents in the Graduate Division. Therefore, we encourage you to visit their Students with Parents webpage. 

UCSD Medical Assistance Fund Offering 

The UC SHIP Reserve Fund Investment Committee (RFIC) granted funds to UC San Diego for distribution to students with a financial hardship, to assist the student in paying their out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed $500 up to the in-network individual out-of-pocket maximum.

All graduate and undergraduate students and dependents who are currently enrolled in UC SHIP, and enrolled for at least one term before the date of the medical service, are eligible. The medical service date must be during the 2020-2021 plan year. Student must have no outstanding financial balance with their campus and have applied for charity care from the provider of service.

Please learn more about the fund, application process, and other details by visiting this website.

Off-Campus financial resources

As we become aware of other levels of aid available in the surrounding community, we will provide them below. 

  • San Diego County: General Relief
  • "The California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) offers support for low-income, working Californians. You may be eligible for up to $3,417 cash back or a reduction of the tax you owe."
  • "The Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) provides a credit up $1,083 per tax return for Californians who qualify for CalEITC and have a child under 6 years old."
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households manage their energy costs by providing a one-time payment to assist with heating or cooling bills. In addition, LIHEAP offers in-home weatherization services to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the health and safety of your home. To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the LIHEAP website.
  • Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP): The Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) provides monthly financial assistance to low-income individuals who are blind, disabled, or 65 years of age or older. This program allows most students to work without their SSI benefit decreasing. This is known as the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), which lets students keep the first $2,220 in earnings each month without affecting the countable earned income calculation. But, there is an annual cap of $8,950, so if you earn more than this in any given year, the income starts counting towards the earned income calculation again. To learn more about eligibility and apply, you can visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, visit your local SSA office, or call 1-800-772-1213.

Note: The information above is quoted directly from the links provided for each program as an informational resource for UCSD student-parents. Please refer to each individual agency for application procedures and eligibility.