an affordable
Education
#10 in delivering on the Promise of Economic Mobility for Low- and Moderate-Income Learners in California
California Mobility Index, 2025
#10 in delivering on the Promise of Economic Mobility for Low- and Moderate-Income Learners in California
California Mobility Index, 2025
86%
of UC Merced students received financial aid in 2025-26
About
$25,547
WAS THE AVERAGE ANNUAL GIFT AID AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE STUDENTS*
*2025-26 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
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 March 2, 2026 to be considered for all aid.
If the March 2 priority 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, 2026, you will be considered for federal grants and loans.
Learn more about financial aid at
Curious About Cost?
Click the link below to use the Undergraduate Affordability Tool to estimate how much you may need to pay out of pocket after grants and scholarships. This information is specific to you, so you'll be asked to log in with your UC Merced username (UCMNetID) and password. Be sure to select the 2026-27 Academic Year. Please note: Your actual out-of-pocket cost may be lower based on your final aid offer.
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
#3 University for Social Mobility
- 2026 Wall Street Journal
For Tuition and Tax Dollars
- Washington Monthly
