I am looking into studying at UCLA and was wondering what scholarship opportunities exist for international students. Are these scholarships mostly merit-based, or are there options for financial need as well? Would love to hear any insights!
UCLA is committed to helping all of their students fund their education and this includes international students. There are several scholarships that international students may be eligible for.
One of the main scholarships for international students at UCLA is the UCLA Regents Scholarship program. This is the most prestigious scholarship offered to entering undergraduates, and it is merit-based. The Regents Scholarship would provide a $2,000 honorarium and a priority enrollment and housing, among other benefits.
Another merit-based scholarship is the UCLA Alumni Scholarship. This award is for entering freshmen and transfer students and is based on academic excellence, leadership, and community service. Both of these scholarships require separate applications, so be sure to look into those processes.
UCLA also partners with the Davis United World College Scholars Program. If you're an international student from a United World College, you may be eligible for need-based scholarship funding through this program.
Unfortunately, UCLA doesn't offer need-based financial aid to international students. This is common at most U.S. public universities. Therefore, you'll want to consider outside scholarships to supplement any merit aid you receive from UCLA.
You can also search for scholarships through external databases like Appily or the International Education Financial Aid website. Both of these can help you find scholarships designed specifically for international students. Keep in mind that scholarship requirements can vary widely, so be sure to read through all of the eligibility criteria before applying.
Lastly, don’t forget about work-study opportunities. While federal work-study positions may not be available to international students, there might be university or off-campus jobs you can apply for which could help offset some of your costs.
All in all, while there might be fewer scholarships available to international students than U.S. students, there are still opportunities to help fund your education at UCLA.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.