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Financial Aid at UC Merced

Internship/Scholarships Resource Sheet

Find Here a list of scholarships available for fully undocumented students and students who possess DACA.



 

Financial Aid

The UC Merced Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will review every California Dream Act application for eligibility for institutional and state-funded aid. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Aid websiteAlso, undocumented students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Quick Guide to College Access for Undocumented Students in California.

 

As a prospective student at UC Merced, you may be eligible for all UC Merced scholarships that are derived from private, non-state funds for the fall semester and the spring semester, and you may be eligible for all UC Merced grants and scholarships including those derived from private, non-state funds as well as those derived from state funds.
 
To be eligible for grant aid, you must qualify for an AB 540 Nonresident Tuition Exemption, and you must be ineligible for federal financial aid. To be eligible for scholarship aid, you must also have an entry GPA of 3.25 or above. We encourage you to complete and submit the University of California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Form as soon as possible after you have received your offer of admission to UC Merced and accepted your admission by submitting your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).
 
You can apply for this aid by completing the California Dream Act Application. The priority deadline is March 2. Ready to fill out the application? See our tips for completing the California Dream Act application (pdf). You will need to submit the Dream Act application every year you're enrolled in school to continue receiving aid.
 
It is advisable that students consider filling out the Budget Worksheet to estimate whether or not a student will owe a balance or will receive a financial aid refund. In addition, it serves as a tool in establishing a budget for the academic year. Note: Financial aid will be divided between the fall and spring semesters.
 
The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is a financial aid program intended to expand access to UC for low-income students. The plan will ensure that low-income families will not have to pay systemwide tuition and fees out of pocket if an applicant’s total family income is less than $80,000 a year. AB 540 eligible students automatically will be considered for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan if they submit the California Dream Act Application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form. There is no separate application for this program.
 

External Scholarships

Undocumented students, whether AB 540 eligible or not, should research and apply for private scholarships. There are scholarships available for undocumented students through private organizations. Be advised that deadlines for these scholarships will vary throughout the year.
Here is a list of organizations that provide scholarships for undocumented students (these scholarships are open to all undocumented students, no matter of national origin):