an affordable
Education
#2 public university in the nation for least amount of debt incurred by graduates
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2021
#2 public university in the nation for least amount of debt incurred by graduates
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2021
85%
of UC Merced students received financial aid*
About
$23,052
WAS THE AVERAGE ANNUAL GIFT AID AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS*
*2023-24 academic year
paying for college
UC Merced is firmly committed to making a college education affordable for all students. With financial aid and scholarship resources, attending UC Merced is more affordable than you might think!
here's how to view financial aid awards, available in late spring.
Visit the My Merced section of UC Merced Connect at connect.ucmerced.edu/student and select "My Financial Aid".
While in Connect, you can also:
- Review messages from the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- View your checklist and satisfy outstanding requirements.
- Accept the terms and conditions of your award(s).
Check your email often. We will use the email address you submitted on your financial aid application.
If selected for verification, follow the instructions on My Financial Aid to complete outstanding requirements by the date listed on your checklist or in the email you receive.
Check your email often. We will use the email address you submitted on your financial aid application.
If selected for verification, follow the instructions on My Financial Aid to complete outstanding requirements by the date listed on your checklist or in the email you receive.
Visit financialaid.ucmerced.edu for more information about receiving your aid.
Haven't yet applied for financial aid?
YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at dream.csac.ca.gov by May 2, 2024 to be considered for all aid.
If this year's May 2 deadline has passed, aid may still be available. Visit financialaid.ucmerced.edu to explore your options. As long as your FAFSA or CADAA is submitted before June 30, 2025, you will be considered for federal grants and loans.
Learn more about financial aid at
Questions about Scholarships?
The following types of scholarships are available to new undergraduate students at UC Merced:
INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS Reminder: There's no need to apply separately. If you completed a FAFSA or California Dream Act application, you don’t need to do anything further! You were automatically considered for all institutional scholarships upon your admission to UC Merced.
OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS There are many privately funded scholarships that do not need to be repaid. They can be based on merit or financial need, or can be geared toward specific types of students. For a list of databases, visit
WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE) WUE students pay substantially less tuition than a traditional nonresident student and can save thousands of dollars per year. If you qualified for WUE status, you will see it displayed on decision.ucmerced.edu and receive an email notifying you.
UC Merced School Code for FAFSA or CADAA: 041271
One of the country's most transformative colleges and among the top four-year universities for quality, affordability and alumni outcomes
- Money's 2020 Best Colleges
UC Merced was recognized as the #1 public university in the nation for percentage of students who recieved need-based scholarship or grant aid
- U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2021
