Financial Aid Timeline Current Undergraduates

Learn the steps you must take to successfully apply for financial aid, and see important deadlines and details for each step. Use this timeline to keep track of important filing deadlines and other events which begin the year before each new fall quarter begins.

October

If you're a new financial aid applicant, register for your FSA ID from the Department of Education so you can electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You and your parents can both register for an FSA ID.

NOTE for 2024-25:

For 2024-25 the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is scheduled to be available in December 2023. For updates on availability visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Generally the 2024-25 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is available at the same time as the FAFSA. For updates on the 2024-25 CADAA visit https://dream.csac.ca.gov.

November

You may also qualify for outside agency scholarships. Review these lists, follow the application instructions for each scholarship, and add all deadlines to your personal calendar.

December

• The FAFSA and CADAA are scheduled to be available. Make sure to list UC San Diego school code 001317 on the application, so UC San Diego will receive your information.
  • Learn more about the FAFSA.
  • Students who have a Social Security Number must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should not complete both applications.
  • The Dream Act Application is an application for state and university aid. It is not an application for federal financial aid. The application is for:
    • AB540 eligible students.
    • Students who cannot file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA).
    • Students who attended at least three full years in a California public or private high school.
    • Graduated from a California High School or attained the equivalent prior to the start of the college term.
    • If without lawful immigration status, have or will file an affidavit with the college or university they are attending stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so. This affidavit is filed with the college they attend.
    • FAFSA Filers: Ensure that your FAFSA is complete with the Department of Education.
      • Review the FAFSA Submission Summary for accuracy, and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed and the name, date and SSN on your UC Admissions application matches the information on your FAFSA.
      • If necessary, correct your FAFSA online
      • Note: if your FAFSA is submitted as “Provisionally Independent” you will still need to submit a Dependency Appeal with the UC San Diego Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. For more information on the appeal process please visit https://fas.ucsd.edu/forms-and-resources/forms or contact our office: https://fas.ucsd.edu/contact.
      • Review your application for accuracy and make sure the UC San Diego school code 001317 is listed.
      • If necessary, correct your CA Dream Act Application online through CSAC.

      February

      • UC San Diego continuing scholarships application deadline, April 2nd, 11:59 p.m.: Complete and submit your application online using the Financial Aid tool.
      • UC San Diego summer Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) deadline, February 3, 11:59pm:Complete and submit your application online for next summer's application. You may submit a new application each year, even if you won one in previous years.
      • In addition to UC San Diego scholarships, you may qualify for national competitive scholarships and outside agency scholarships. Review these lists often for new entries, and add the scholarship deadline dates to your personal calendar. Carefully follow the instructions listed for each scholarship.

      March

      • Cal Grant GPA verification deadline, March 2: If you don't currently have a California State Grant (Cal Grant), mail the Cal Grant GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission to be considered for one.
        • Learn more about grants.

        May

        • EXTENDED FAFSA deadline, May 2, midnight Central Daylight Time:Submit your FAFSA online to be considered for priority financial aid.
          • If you're mailing your FAFSA, make sure it's postmarked by May 2.
          • If you file after the May 2 deadline, you'll be considered only for federal Direct Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Loans, renewal Cal Grant, and Pell Grant.
          • If you're mailing your California Dream Application, make sure it's postmarked by May 2.
          • If you file after the May 2 deadline, you may not be eligible for funding.

          June

          • Financial Aid Document Deadline for Continuing Students, June 15: Continuing students should complete and submit required documents/tasks by the extended June 15 deadline to qualify for the best financial aid awards. Check the Financial Aid tool for additional documents or required tasks. Additional documents/actions may include verification worksheets, tax return transcripts, and resolving FAFSA processing holds indicated on your FAFSA Submission Summary.
          • Log onto the Financial Aid tool for notification of UC San Diego continuing academic year and summer undergraduate research scholarship awards. You'll be notified of your scholarship status by June 1.
          • Begin saving money for expenses you'll need to pay before you receive your fall quarter financial aid.
          • Continue to check your ucsd.edu e-mail inbox often for important communications from the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
          • Summer Session financial aid: There is no application for Summer financial aid, however there are other requirements. For more information visit our Summer Session page.

          July

          • Beginning late July: students can expect to receive an email to their UC San Diego email address once financial aid packages are available in Tritonlink. A majority of the 2024-25 financial aid offers are scheduled to be released by the end of August.
          • If you've accepted a new Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, and/ or a Parent PLUS Loan: Complete separate promissory notes for each new program.
          • If you've accepted a new Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan:
            • Complete the required online loan counseling.
            • Learn more about loans.