UC Santa Cruz Scholarships (2025–2026) | Costs & Aid

University of California, Santa Cruz Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the College Scholarships Hub • See California state aid

What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
  • Automatic UC-based scholarships and eligibility
  • Competitive and hidden-gem awards worth exploring
  • Honors and research perks that can stack with aid

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ~54%
  • Middle 50% GPA (weighted): 4.03–4.29
  • Middle 50% GPA (unweighted): 3.76–3.96
  • Testing Policy: Test-blind — ACT/SAT not considered

Source: UC Santa Cruz Office of Admissions 2024–25 Profile and UC Office of the President data. GPA ranges represent the middle 50 percent of admitted students.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

UC Santa Cruz at a Glance

Average Net Price
$17,713 / year
Average paid after grants and scholarships (2022–23 federal data)
Automatic UC Awards
Regents ($20 K total) • Campus Merit ($5 K / year)
No extra application required; awarded to top admitted students
Typical Qualifiers
Top 5–10 % of admitted class • GPA 4.2+ • strong PIQs & service
Academic rigor and leadership are key factors
Testing Policy
Test-blind for admission and scholarships
UCs do not use ACT/SAT in any review process
Key Deadlines
UC Application: Nov 30 • FAFSA/CADAA: Mar 2
Meet both deadlines for full scholarship and grant consideration
Honors Program
UC Santa Cruz Honors Program
Benefits: priority registration, research access, faculty mentorship
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Not offered directly by UCSC
Combining Cal Grant + Blue & Gold Plan can cover full tuition for many CA students
Residency & Waivers
In-state: eligible for Cal Grant & Blue & Gold • OOS: WUE not available
UC campuses don’t participate in WUE; few nonresident waivers
Data verified via UC Santa Cruz Office of Admissions and UC Office of the President. Scholarship values based on 2024–25 published ranges; subject to annual funding adjustments.
Last verified: October 17, 2025

UC Santa Cruz combines a coastal campus atmosphere with top-tier research and innovation in STEM, environmental science, and the arts. While UCSC doesn’t offer automatic full-ride scholarships, high-achieving students may earn Regents or Campus Merit awards, and many Californians receive full tuition coverage through Cal Grants and the UC Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan.

Use this guide to see how UC Santa Cruz’s merit and need-based aid programs work together to make a UC education affordable for most in-state families — especially those who apply by the November 30 UC deadline and submit the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? All UC campuses, including UCSC, are test-blind — ACT and SAT scores are not used for admissions or scholarships.

What is the middle 50 % GPA? Weighted 4.03–4.29 • Unweighted 3.76–3.96 (UCOP Freshman Profile 2024–25).

What’s the average net price? About $17,713 per year after aid (U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard 2022–23).

Does UCSC offer reciprocity or OOS waivers? No — UC campuses do not participate in WUE; out-of-state students pay the full nonresident rate unless granted a rare waiver.

Sources:
https://admissions.ucsc.edu/
https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships.html
https://universityofcalifornia.edu/finances
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?110714-University-of-California-Santa-Cruz

💰 Cost of Attendance at UC Santa Cruz

Category (2025–2026) In-State (CA Resident) Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $16,005 $50,205
Housing & Meals (on-campus average) $19,948 $19,948
Total (Before Aid) $35,953 $70,153

Note: Additional estimated costs not billed directly by UC Santa Cruz include books & supplies (~$1,300), transportation (~$2,400), and personal expenses (~$3,500). These vary per student but are factored into UCSC’s official financial-aid cost-of-attendance.

Average Net Price: The typical family actually paid about $17,713 per year after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the latest U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data. Many California students pay significantly less thanks to the Cal Grant and UC Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan.
Regional Programs & Reciprocity: UC Santa Cruz and all UC campuses do not participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Out-of-state students pay the full nonresident tuition supplement, though limited merit awards may offset part of the difference.

Cost & Aid FAQs

Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
California residents and AB 540 Dream Act–eligible students qualify for in-state rates. Residency is determined at the time of admission.

Does UC Santa Cruz participate in WUE?
No. UC campuses do not participate in regional tuition-reciprocity programs. If you’re exploring WUE options, see our plain-English guide to WUE.

How do most families reduce costs?
Need-based aid like the Cal Grant and UC Blue & Gold Plan can fully cover tuition for most California families, and competitive awards (such as Regents and Campus Merit Scholarships) can further reduce total expenses.

Sources:
https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/cost-of-attendance.html
https://admissions.ucsc.edu/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?110714-University-of-California-Santa-Cruz
https://universityofcalifornia.edu/finances

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

UC Santa Cruz keeps things simple: students are automatically considered for several merit awards when they apply for admission. No extra forms are needed, and award notices usually come with your financial aid package in the spring.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Regents Scholarship $3,000/year (4 years for frosh; 2 for transfers)
(Total: $12,000/$6,000)		 Open to new freshmen and transfer students of all residency types; recognizes outstanding academic achievement No Yes (SAP required) Typically students with a rigorous high school/college record, ~4.1+ weighted GPA, proven achievement; no set cutoff published Nov 30 (UC app deadline)
Campus Merit / Dean’s Awards $250 – $10,000
(average ~$1,500)		 All new freshmen considered via UC application; continuing students must maintain strong UCSC GPA No Yes (renewal GPA required) Freshmen and transfers with 3.8+ UC GPA and strong essays; continuing students with ~3.5+ GPA Nov 30 (UC app deadline)
Sabatte Family Scholarship Full cost of attendance
(includes tuition, fees, room, board, expenses)		 First-year California residents (including AB 540/Dreamers) who are Pell/Cal Grant eligible, high merit No Yes (up to 4 years, SAP required) ~30–50 new scholars annually selected for exceptional academics and need Nov 30 (UC app + FAFSA/CADAA deadline)

*Note: UCSC does not publish fixed GPA cutoffs for Regents, Dean’s, or Sabatte awards. Estimates above use UC methodology, campus data, and student disclosures. Actual thresholds vary yearly.

FAQs About UCSC Automatic Merit

Do I need to apply separately?
No. All admitted students are automatically considered based on the UC application.

Are test scores required?
No. UC campuses are test-blind for admissions and scholarships. GPA, rigor, essays, and achievements carry the most weight.

Can these awards stack with Cal Grants or Pell Grants?
Yes. Campus-based merit like Regents or Sabatte typically stacks with need-based state/federal aid, but cannot reduce your calculated need below zero.

Sources:
https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/types/scholarships/
https://news.ucsc.edu/2025/03/sabatte-gift-news.html
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/en/current/Undergraduate-General-Catalog/Financial-Aid-and-Scholarships/Scholarships/

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

UC Santa Cruz does not publish university-level, application-based competitive scholarships for incoming first-year students. The big campus awards for freshmen (Regents, Campus Merit, Sabatte) are automatic and decided from the UC application. We’ll keep monitoring for any new competitive freshman programs.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
— No university-level competitive scholarships for incoming freshmen — — Freshman applicants are considered for automatic merit via the UC application (see Section 3). — — Focus on strong UC GPA, rigorous coursework, and essays for automatic awards.
Transfers Only (for awareness): The Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award is a selective program for community-college transfer admits nominated by their college. Since it’s not for first-year freshmen, we don’t list it in the table above.

FAQs About Competitive Scholarships

Are there freshman full-ride competitions at UCSC?
No. Freshman awards at UCSC are primarily automatic (Regents, Campus Merit, Sabatte).

Where should freshmen focus instead?
Maximize automatic merit (strong UC GPA, rigor, essays) and add outside/private scholarships. Revisit departmental opportunities after the first year.

What about transfers?
Selective programs like the Pister Award exist for community-college transfers via nomination.

Sources:
https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/types/scholarships/
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/en/current/Undergraduate-General-Catalog/Financial-Aid-and-Scholarships/Scholarships/
https://collegereadyparent.org/college/uc-santa-cruz-scholarships/
https://foothill.edu/transfer/pister.html
https://hartnell.edu/scholarships/pister-ucsc.html

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond Regents and campus merit, UC Santa Cruz students can tap into smaller awards tied to identity, leadership, departments, and community foundations. These aren’t always advertised during admissions, but they can add up once your student is enrolled.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Giles Family Scholarship $1,000 – $2,500 Santa Cruz County high school seniors involved in art, craft, or music programs. Yes (via Community Foundation Santa Cruz County) No Musically or artistically engaged local students continuing on to UCSC. Late January (2026: Jan 31)
Sabatte Family Scholarship Full cost of attendance First-year California residents (incl. AB 540 Dreamers) with academic merit and significant financial need. No Yes (up to 4 years) High-achieving in-state freshmen, often Cal Grant–eligible, with strong academics and financial need. Nov 30 (UC app + FAFSA/CADAA by Mar 2)
Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship $1,000 – $2,500 Students in the Social Sciences Division pursuing public service or social justice work. Yes (apply through Social Sciences Division) Varies Social science majors active in civic engagement, policy, or community service projects. March (typically mid-to-late; confirm Social Sciences calendar)
Smith Society Scholarship $1,000 – $3,000 Students without traditional family support (e.g., foster youth, independent, or first-gen with little family backing). Yes (via Smith Society support program) Sometimes First-gen or independent students seeking mentorship plus financial assistance. January 10
Patrick Mantey Undergraduate Leadership Award $1,000 – $2,000 Baskin School of Engineering undergraduates nominated by faculty for leadership and academic excellence. No (faculty nomination) No STEM students showing outstanding leadership in engineering projects or student groups. Late Spring (faculty nominations, awards in June)
UC Santa Cruz Campus Scholarships $500 – $5,000
(most average $1,000–$2,000)		 Open to continuing undergraduates across majors; awards may target financial need, GPA, or essay responses. Yes (via UCSC Scholarship Application portal) Sometimes Students with ~3.0+ GPA who complete the campus scholarship application on time; essays often make the difference. March 2 (same as FAFSA/CADAA)
Education Abroad Program (EAP) Scholarships $1,000 – $3,000 Students participating in UC-wide study abroad through UCSC Global Learning. Yes (through Global Learning office) No Students accepted to semester or year-long study abroad, often with financial need or underrepresented backgrounds. Feb 1 (annual Global Learning deadline)
Undergraduate Research & Creative Awards $500 – $3,000 Continuing students with faculty-mentored research or creative projects. Yes (application through Undergraduate Research office) No Upper-division students who secure a faculty sponsor and propose a strong project. Common in sciences & arts. Early April (e.g., first/second week)
ROTC Scholarships (Army/Air Force) Full or partial tuition + stipend Students joining ROTC via partner programs (e.g., San Jose State host campus). Must meet fitness and service commitments. Yes (apply through ROTC branch) Yes (if standards maintained) STEM/leadership students willing to commit to military service after graduation. National board: Oct–Mar; campus dates vary (rolling)
Transfers Only (for awareness): The Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award is a major scholarship for local community-college transfers (up to $20,000 total). It does not apply to freshmen but is an important pathway for transfer-bound students.

FAQs About Hidden Gems

Are these awards guaranteed?
No. Most are competitive, with limited slots, and require applications or faculty nominations.

Can freshmen apply right away?
Some (like Sabatte and Giles Family) are available to incoming students. Others (departmental or leadership awards) are for continuing students after the first year.

Do identity-based scholarships exist at UCSC?
Yes. Programs like the Smith Society and EOP provide both financial and personal support for first-generation and independent students.

Can hidden gem awards stack with Regents or Cal Grants?
Yes. These typically layer on top of state/federal aid, though total aid can’t exceed your cost of attendance.

Sources:
https://cfscc.org/scholarships
https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/types/scholarships/
https://socialsciences.ucsc.edu/about/awards
https://smithsociety.ucsc.edu/scholarships
https://undergrad.engineering.ucsc.edu/awards
https://globallearning.ucsc.edu/funding/scholarships
https://ugr.ue.ucsc.edu/research-awards
https://armyrotc.sjsu.edu/
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/

🎖 Honors College

UC Santa Cruz doesn’t have a stand-alone Honors College. Instead, it offers an Honors Program that recognizes top academic performance and provides enriched opportunities like priority enrollment, honors courses, and research connections. Think of it as an overlay to your UCSC experience rather than a separate college.

What a Typical UCSC Honors Student Looks Like:
UC-capped GPA of 3.8+*, advanced high school or transfer coursework, and a strong record of leadership or service. Students who thrive are curious, self-motivated, and willing to take on rigorous projects.
Perks That Matter:
  • Priority enrollment for classes
  • Access to honors seminars in multiple divisions
  • Research and thesis mentorship opportunities
  • Transcript notation and recognition at graduation
Program Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins?
College Honors at Entrance Recognition only Admitted freshmen with top UC GPA and academic rigor; determined from UC application (typically top 10%). No N/A (entrance recognition) Roughly the top 10%* of admitted freshmen by GPA and course rigor.
Dean’s Honors / Dean’s List Recognition only Continuing students with a UCSC term GPA at or above the GPA required for University Honors at graduation (spring 2025: 3.85–3.98, varies by division). No Reviewed quarterly Students consistently earning mostly A’s in UCSC courses; thresholds recalculated each term.
Honors in the Major Recognition only Graduating seniors completing an honors thesis or significant project, ~top 15% by major GPA; additional faculty review may apply. Yes (via department/faculty nomination) One-time graduation honor Students completing high-level research, capstones, or creative work, as selected by faculty review.

*Estimated ranges: UCSC does not publish exact GPA cutoffs for entrance or continuing honors. GPA thresholds for University and Dean’s Honors are recalculated based on recent graduate data and can change annually (e.g., Spring 2025: 3.85–3.98 depending on division).

FAQs About UCSC Honors

Is there a separate Honors College application?
No. Honors at Entrance is automatic for top admits; continuing/major honors are by GPA and/or faculty nomination.

Does the Honors Program add time to a degree?
No. Honors courses count toward graduation and enrich, not extend, your degree requirements.

Are there honors-specific scholarships?
Not at UCSC. Honors provides recognition, not automatic financial awards—though it often pairs with merit aid eligibility.

How selective is UCSC Honors?
Roughly the top 10% of incoming students receive Honors at Entrance. Dean’s and major honors are even more selective and based on sustained performance and faculty review.

Sources:
https://advising.ucsc.edu/honors-awards
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/en/current/Undergraduate-General-Catalog/Evaluating-Academic-Performance/Undergraduate-Honors/
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/en/current/Undergraduate-General-Catalog/Evaluating-Academic-Performance/Honors-Criteria-Grade-Point-Averages-by-Term/
https://catalog.ucsc.edu/en/current/Undergraduate-General-Catalog/Evaluating-Academic-Performance/Honors-in-the-Major/

⭐ College Specialties at UC Santa Cruz

UCSC shines when science meets creativity—whether it’s exploring the mysteries of the ocean, studying galaxies, designing video games, or decoding the human genome. As an R1 “Very High Research Activity” university and member of the AAU, UCSC punches well above its weight in areas that shape the planet and the culture of tomorrow. Let’s peek at what makes UCSC uniquely powerful.

Standout Program: Marine and Freshwater Biology — ranked #2 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report for the 2025–2026 year. Modest campus… enormous ocean intellect. UCSC’s coastal setting gives students unparalleled access to living marine labs and hands-on research. (Yes—UCSC is officially classified as an R1 research university.)
  • Space Sciences – ranked #7 in the U.S. for 2025–2026 by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Earth & Marine Sciences – named Best Marine Biology School in California and ranked #3 globally for research influence by citation index (2018).
  • Earth & Marine Sciences (QS Subject Ranking) – UCSC’s Earth and Marine Sciences program placed #11 globally in QS World University Rankings by Subject (2023).
  • Genomics & Bioinformatics (Baskin Engineering) – Home of the UCSC Genome Browser; contributed to the first truly complete, gapless human genome sequence.
  • Environmental Leadership & Teaching – Ranked in the top 15 nationally “for making an impact,” and #12 among public universities for excellence in undergraduate teaching (2024).
  • Sustainability & Value – In The Princeton Review’s 2025 rankings, UCSC landed #28 for Green Colleges, #17 for Best Financial Aid among publics, and #48 for Best Value Public Colleges.
  • Game Design & Simulation – Ranked among the top public colleges in the U.S. for game and simulation development (No. 5 in 2023).

💡 Final Thoughts

UC Santa Cruz offers more than just a beautiful setting by the ocean — it combines strong research, standout programs in marine science and space studies, and a supportive culture for first-gen and transfer students. While the biggest scholarships are automatic, families who dig deeper can find hidden gems and campus-based awards that help make the numbers work. Whether you’re a California resident looking at Cal Grants or an out-of-state student drawn by UCSC’s specialties, the opportunities here are worth exploring.

Was this helpful? Share it with another parent who’s comparing college costs!

[last_updated]

Back to top ↑

Scroll to Top