How to Receive Your Financial Aid
STEPS TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
How to Receive Your Financial Aid
Once you’ve been offered financial aid, there are a few important steps to take to make sure your aid is processed and applied to your bill on time. From submitting required documents to accepting your offer and exploring payment plans, this page walks you through what to do next..
By accepting any financial aid award, you are agreeing to the Policies and Conditions published on the financial aid website.
Step 1: Complete Your Verification Documents
Verification is a state and federal process used to confirm the information on your Financial Aid Application. If you’re selected, log in to MyAid Verify to submit your required documents or appeals. Your financial aid offer may change after verification.
Watch the video below to see how the process works and how to complete your tasks in MyAid Verify.
Step 2: Review and Accept Your Official Financial Aid Offer
You’ll get an email when your official aid offer is posted in your MyUCSC student portal (May–September). To avoid delays, complete any requested tasks in MyAid Verify by the due dates. Your official aid offer may differ from your conditional one if your application information was incorrect or incomplete.
Watch the video below to learn how to view and accept your aid offer in MyUCSC. Before accepting, you’ll need to complete the “Financial Aid Offer Terms and Conditions Agreement for UGRD” in your To Do List/Tasks.
Step 3: Calculate Your Bill
After you accept your financial aid offer, you can see how much you’ll still owe once your aid is applied to your account. Student Business Services posts your bill in MyUCSC about 30 days before the fee deadline each term.
Watch the video below for instructions on how to calculate your remaining bill each quarter.
Step 4: Complete Your Loan Requirements
If you decide to borrow and are a first-time loan borrower, you’ll need to complete a promissory note, entrance counseling, and review disclosure statements for the loan you accept. Instructions are available under the Loan Programs section of the Financial Aid website, where you can select the type of loan(s) offered and review the terms and conditions.
Private loans are also available through outside lenders. These require a separate application, and terms vary. Before applying for a private loan, check with our office to see if you have other options.
Step 5 (Optional): Grant Permission to Pay Miscellaneous Charges
If you’d like your aid to cover costs like health insurance, course fees, or lab fees, you’ll need to grant permission. In MyUCSC, go to the Financial Aid tile and select Student Permissions.
Step 6: Sign up for Direct Deposit
After your bill is paid, any remaining funds are refunded each quarter. The fastest way to get your refund is through Direct Deposit to your bank account. If you don’t sign up, a paper check will be mailed to the address listed in MyUCSC.
If the refund comes from a Parent PLUS loan, it will be sent to the parent unless they chose the student refund option on the loan application.
Step 7: Explore Payment Plan Options
Tuition and Fee Payment Plan
Student Business Services offers a monthly plan that lets you spread your quarterly tuition and fee payments into installments.
On-Campus Housing Payment Plan
The Housing Office offers a monthly plan for housing costs. There’s no application fee. If you need a personalized plan (for example, to match your pay schedule), contact the Housing Office before the payment due date to make arrangements.
Step 8 (Optional): Complete the Authorization to Release Information
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects your student records. Starting on your first day of instruction at UC Santa Cruz, the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office cannot share your information with anyone (including parents) without your permission.
If you want to give access to a parent, sibling, spouse, or another person, complete the Authorization to Release Information form in your MyAid Verify account under the Financial Aid file, select Financial Aid Resources.
Contact Us
Have a question or need support? We’re here to help.
Location: 205 Hahn Student Services (view map)
In-Person Advising: Monday–Friday, 1 – 5 p.m.
Phone and Zoom Advising (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.):
Phone: Call (669) 900-6833
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