Affordable Excellence.
(Because you can’t put a price on a dream come true.)
As a member of the University of California, UC Riverside offers one of the most prestigious degrees in the world. But UCR is also very affordable. In 2009, UCR was ranked among the Top 25 Best College Buys by Forbes magazine.
But what does that mean to you? Well for starters, it means that you don’t have to go to a hugely expensive school to get a world class diploma. It also means that if you were thinking of skipping college because you thought it was too expensive, you might want to think again. There is a variety of financial assistance available to students today, from grants and scholarships to loans and work-study programs. Some of these programs are based on financial need, some are based on particular talents or skills, some are available to all. But the overall goal is to help students like you continue your education and attain a college degree.
UC Riverside distributes more than $200 million annually in grant, loan, work-study, and scholarship aid each year. And, with programs like the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, we’re doing all we can to help our students fund their education. In short, if you’re ready to attend the University of California, then money shouldn’t stand in your way.
Apply. Apply. Apply.
Applying for financial aid is a lot easier than most people think. Some families are reluctant to ask for help. Some are overwhelmed by the application process and simply don’t know where to start. But the application process is actually easier than you think. Here’s a quick two-step process:
1. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for a Cal Grant by the March 2 deadline of the academic year you plan to attend UC. (The application period begins in January.) With one application, you have automatically applied to most sources of available aid, including the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
NOTE: It is important to fill out a FAFSA even if you don’t believe you will qualify for aid. UCR has aid available to students at all income levels.
2. Next, research sources of scholarship aid for which you might qualify. Scholarships are available through a variety of sources and can be more difficult to locate. But your research can pay dividends. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to secure more funding for your UCR education.
Understanding Need
Your eligibility for financial aid is the difference between the established UCR expenses for the academic year and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Here’s how it works in a nutshell.
Start with calculating what it costs you to attend school.
Take the Student Budget (what it costs you to attend school)
Subtract Your Parents’ Contribution (how much your parents are expected to provide)
Subtract Your Contribution (how much you, the student, are expected to provide for your education)
Equals Financial Aid Eligibility (the maximum amount of aid you can receive)
Take Outside Aid (Federal Pell Grant, Cal Grant, outside scholarships and outside loans)
Plus UCR Aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and/or Work Study)
Equals Your Financial Aid Package (This figure will be equal to or a little less than your financial aid eligibility if you meet all application deadlines.
To get a better idea of the amount of financial aid you might expect to receive based on your unique financial circumstances, use UC's financial aid estimators.
Help!
Still have more questions? Need assistance with the application process? UCR’s financial aid counselors can assist you in applying for financial aid and can advise you on financial planning, budget management, and changes to your family finances. So don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or problems!
UCR Financial Aid
2106 Student Services Building
Tel: (951) 827-3878
Fax: (951) 827-5619
E-mail: finaid@ucr.edu
Future Students! If you are in middle school or the first three years of high school, there’s great financial aid information for you at FAFSA4caster.