UC Davis financial aid: how generous are they?

Hi there! I'm really interested in applying to UC Davis, but I'm also concerned about the cost. Does anyone know how generous the school is with financial aid? Are there any specific scholarships I should look into? Any advice helps, thanks!

UC Davis has a solid financial aid program, and they're committed to making education affordable for their students. Both need-based and merit-based financial aid options are available. However, the generosity of financial aid can vary significantly depending on a few factors, such as your financial need, residency status, and academic achievements.

For California residents, UC Davis offers financial aid through the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, covering systemwide tuition and fees if your family income is less than $80,000 per year, and you're eligible for need-based financial aid. Additionally, the Middle-Class Scholarship program can help cover UC systemwide tuition and fees for California residents with family incomes up to $226,000.

For out-of-state students, financial aid might not cover as much of the cost, so keep that in mind when calculating your expenses. However, UC Davis does offer scholarships specifically for non-residents, such as the UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions Scholarship ($5,000-$15,000) and the Provost Award (up to $30,000), which are merit-based awards.

There are also many UC Davis-specific scholarships you can apply for, like the Regents Scholarship and the Chancellors Scholarship. Some of these scholarships are solely based on merit, whereas others might consider financial need, extracurricular involvement, or other factors.

To get a better idea of the financial aid package you might receive, I recommend using the UC Davis Net Price Calculator on their Financial Aid and Scholarships website. This tool can give you an estimate of the financial aid you're eligible for, based on your family's financial situation and your academic achievements.

Also, remember to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible to make sure you're eligible for all the federal, state, and institutional aid programs that UC Davis participates in. The priority deadline for FAFSA submissions is usually May 2nd for UC schools.

Overall, UC Davis has several financial aid options to help students with the cost of attendance, but it's important to research and apply for any scholarships you might qualify for to maximize the financial aid you're eligible to receive. Good luck with your application!