Navigating Financial Aid and Scholarships at UCLA

UCLA is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals by providing various forms of financial aid to offset educational expenses. UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships administers scholarships, grants, and other aid programs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the financial aid resources available at UCLA, important updates, and how to navigate the application and disbursement processes.

Types of Financial Aid at UCLA

UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships offers a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, stipends, and prizes. These awards can be based on various factors, such as need, merit, major, or community service.

Identity-Conscious Financial Aid

UCLA administers all Identity-Conscious Financial Aid in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations by using “Pool and Match” applications for unrestricted awards, identity conscious awards, and other restricted awards (major, need, community service, etc.). Identity conscious awards may include a preference for a student’s race, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation for purposes of this policy), color, ethnicity, or national origin. These pooled applications allow students to submit a single application to be considered for multiple scholarships and are used in determining the source of a recipient’s aid, but not their eligibility, receipt, and amount of financial aid.

Applying for Financial Aid

To begin or update your application, students should click the “SIGN IN” button on the UCLA Scholarship Application portal. UCLA encourages students to complete their aid application early using UCLA’s school code, 001315.

Financial Aid Checklist for New Admits

Newly admitted students can review the Financial Aid Checklist to understand the necessary steps for applying for and receiving financial aid.

Graduate Aid

Graduate students can find specific information to help them finance their graduate education.

Application Process

Students can learn more about how financial aid works and the next steps for applications by visiting the Apply for Aid webpage.

Important Updates and Deadlines

Federal Financial Aid Updates for 2026-2027

The H.R.1 bill (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) was enacted into law on July 4, 2025. Significant provisions regarding Federal Loan limits that will affect college students are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, with a legacy provision included for current borrowers to borrow under current limits for the remainder of their program of study. Students and families are encouraged to review the 2026-2027 Federal Financial Aid Updates webpage for more information and guidance on how to best prepare for these changes.

Special Student Populations Updates

Students are encouraged to review the Special Student Populations Updates webpage for important information that may be relevant to them.

Work-Study Hiring Deadline

The 2025-2026 Work-Study hiring deadline has been extended to Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Students can review the Work-Study Program Calendar for important dates and the Work-Study webpage for more information.

Important Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Graduate Institutional Aid Disbursement Spring 2026 Graduate Institutional Student Aid Funds (Excluding monthly stipend awards) will disburse to BruinBill the evening of Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Monday, March 16, 2026: Undergraduate Institutional Aid Disbursement Spring 2026 Undergraduate Institutional Student Aid Funds (Excluding monthly stipend awards) will disburse to BruinBill the evening of Monday, March 16, 2026.
Friday, March 20, 2026: State and Federal Financial Aid Disbursement Spring 2026 Graduate/Professional Federal and Private Loans + Undergraduate State and Federal Aid, University Loans and Private Loans will disburse to BruinBill the evening of Friday, March 20, 2026.
Friday, March 27, 2026: Office closed in Observance of César Chávez Day Holiday. UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships will be closed on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Observance of the César Chávez Day Holiday. Regular operating hours will resume on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Friday, April 17, 2026: Spring 2026 Financial Aid Census UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships will be conducting the Spring 2026 census on Friday, April 17, 2026 to ensure financial aid recipients are enrolled full time (12 units or more) unless otherwise approved for the Fee Reduced Program. Being enrolled in less than full time status while not approved for the Fee Reduced Program will result in your financial aid being recalculated.

UCLA Extension Financial Aid

UCLA Extension offers a variety of loan, grant, and scholarship application options for its students. However, there are ongoing delays in the processing of financial aid applications and disbursements due to the implementation of a new University-wide financial aid system (Bruin Financial Aid). The team is working to assist affected students as quickly as possible.

Contacting Financial Aid and Scholarships

All Undergraduate and Graduate students (Non-UCLA Professional School programs) may contact the office through Message Center. Current enrolled students should use the "Send us a secured message with MyUCLA" link.

Scholarship Opportunities

The office does not consider Scholarship listings. If you have a Scholarship opportunity you'd like shared with UCLA Students, we recommend reaching out to UCLA's Center for Scholarships and Scholarship Enrichment.

Outreach Requests

To request participation from the UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, complete the form and submit it electronically to the Financial Aid Outreach Supervisor fifteen (15) business days prior to the date of the event.

Location and Parking

The main entrance to Murphy Hall is located on Charles Young Drive, and the office is located on the A-level of the building. The closest parking lot to the office is Parking Lot 2, which has pay-by-space availability.

Specialized Functions and Units

UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships encompasses several specialized functions and units, including federal and state aid processing, institutional scholarships, need-based aid, merit-based awards, and student financial counseling. The department manages the application, disbursement, and compliance processes for all types of aid, working closely with government agencies, donors, and university departments.

Loan Services

Virtual Lobby

Loan Services operates a 'Virtual Lobby' via ZOOM in an open setting with a staff member acting as host/receptionist within a public forum. The host/receptionist will pre-screen you and answer general questions. After pre-screening is completed, you will be assigned to a virtual private office (breakout room) where you can speak one-on-one with a loan counselor.

The virtual lobby is open Monday thru Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; and then 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM Pacific Time.

Walk-In Lobby Service Hours

Walk-in service hours are Monday thru Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; and then 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Visitors must adhere to all health safety protocols.

Short-Term Loan Program

The Short-Term Loan Program is available Monday thru Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; and then 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Prior to making a trip to Loan Services, you are welcome to contact a loan counselors using any of the communication methods listed above to help you determine if you qualify for a short-term loan before applying. (All requirements, loan amount limits, and repayment responsibilities can be found on the Short-Term Loan Program page.) Please note that no short-term loans are made against Bruin Bill refunds.

Financial Wellness Program

UCLA offers a Financial Wellness (FW) program located in the Strathmore Building, 555 Westwood Plaza, Room 106, Los Angeles, CA 90095. The program provides:

Webinars on various financial topics
Workshops with a holistic focus
Peer-to-peer coaching
Insightful budgeting methods and practices
Connection to support services

Appointments

Students can book coaching appointments through the Make an Appointment page. For urgent matters, students can join Virtual Drop-Ins on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm via Zoom.

Workshops

Financial Wellness Workshop requests may be submitted through the online request form, requiring a three-week prior notice.

CalSWEC or LRAP Inquiries

For inquiries concerning CalSWEC or LRAP, contact Pooya Khodadadi.

Office Hours

The office is open Wednesday & Friday from 9 am to 4 pm for in-person services and designated phone hours.

Bruin Financial Aid (BFA) Portal

The Bruin Financial Aid (BFA) Portal provides frequently asked questions on various topics, including:

General Application Process
Submitting Documents and Appeals
Cost of Attendance and Budgets
BruinBill and Disbursements
Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility
Cal Grants for New Students
Cal Grant For Current Students
Work-Study

Understanding Your Bruin Financial Aid Letter (BFAL)

Your Bruin Financial Aid Letter (BFAL) will identify when the award will be applied to your BruinBill as well as any award adjustments made to older awards “locked” in this portal. In spring, most current award applications are for the upcoming summer or academic year, but you may also receive award offers for the current academic year (Commencement awards, etc.).

Affordability Initiative

Learn more about the UCLA Affordability Initiative, a campuswide effort.

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