Scholarship Opportunities for Freshmen at UCLA

I'm a future Bruin! What scholarships are available specifically for incoming freshmen at UCLA? I'm trying to plan my finances early and would love to know what's out there.

Congrats on your acceptance to UCLA! To begin, the University offers a handful of scholarships available to incoming freshmen. One of them is the Regents Scholarships, UCLA's highest honor for entering students. They consider academic excellence, leadership, and other talents when determining recipients.

Students who are applying to certain majors, such as engineering, may also be considered for scholarships within their specific department. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS) Scholarship, for instance, is awarded to newly admitted students within that school based on academic achievement.

In addition, UCLA cooperates with several organizations that offer scholarships to incoming freshmen from specific demographics or backgrounds. These scholarships include the Geffen Scholars Program (for students demonstrating significant financial need) and the Alumni Scholarships Program, which involves a separate application process.

UCLA also participates in the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. If your family income is under $80,000 and you meet certain criteria for eligibility, your system-wide tuition and fees are fully covered through a combination of scholarships and grants.

You may also qualify for outside scholarships, and I recommend starting your research on platforms like Appily, which offers a database of scholarships from various providers.

But remember, you must submit your accepted financial aid package to receive any scholarships from UCLA, and the specifics of some scholarships may change year to year, so it's important to keep an eye on the UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships page for the most accurate information.

I hope this gives you a solid starting point!