UC Irvine Scholarships | Merit Aid and Financial Support

🎓 University of California, Irvine (UCI) Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:
  • Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay at UCI
  • Merit & need-based scholarships (what’s real vs. hype)
  • Hidden-gem departmental & donor awards that can stack
  • Honors benefits and smart aid-stacking strategies

📊 Admissions Snapshot

  • Acceptance Rate: ≈ 25.7% (Application Year 2024)
  • Middle 50% GPA (weighted): 4.04–4.27
  • Testing: Test-free (UC does not use SAT/ACT)
  • Honors: Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC)

Source year: 2025–2026 verified. UC is test-free; SAT/ACT ranges are not used.

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

📌

UC Irvine at a Glance

Average Net Price
$15,500
Typical after grants & scholarships (federal-based aggregator)
Automatic Merit
Limited; mostly competitive selection
Top admits considered for Regents; many awards require applications
Typical Qualifiers
Strong rigor • Leadership • Service/Research impact
Holistic review with emphasis on context
Testing Policy
Test-free (no SAT/ACT considered)
UCI evaluates GPA, coursework, and PIQs
Key Deadlines
Nov 30: UC Application
Mar 2: FAFSA/CADAA & Cal Grant
Honors Program
Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC)
Small seminars, priority enrollment, exclusive scholarships
Full Tuition / Full Ride
Regents ($5,000 stipend) & Chancellor’s (need-based)
Not a guaranteed full-tuition award; other grants may cover remaining need
Residency & Reciprocity
No WUE or regional reciprocity
Nonresidents pay supplemental tuition; limited waivers
Aid Snapshot
Cal Grant + UC Grants + Work-Study
Packages vary by income, residency, and deadlines
Last verified: October 15, 2025

UC Irvine blends big-university research with a collaborative SoCal vibe—and for many families, the real price is far less than the sticker once Cal Grant and UC aid are applied.

Merit awards are selective, not automatic. The Regents Scholarship provides a $5,000 stipend (not a built-in full tuition waiver), and the Chancellor’s Scholarship is need-based. With grants, some students may still see full tuition covered, but it isn’t guaranteed.

FAQ

Is UCI test-optional? No — the UC system is test-free. SAT/ACT are not used for admission or scholarships.

Does UCI offer automatic merit? Mostly no. Regents consideration is automatic for top admits, but awards are selective; many scholarships require separate applications.

Is there a true “full ride”? There’s no universal full-ride merit award. Some students’ full tuition may be covered when grants and scholarships meet demonstrated need.

Average net price? ≈ $15,500 after aid (federal-based aggregator; varies by income and residency).

Sources (Intro):
UCI Undergraduate Admissions: https://www.admissions.uci.edu/
UCI Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships: https://www.ofas.uci.edu/
UCI Scholarships (search & overview): https://www.ofas.uci.edu/scholarships/
UCI Regents’ Scholarship (UCI): https://www.ofas.uci.edu/scholarships/regents.php
UCI Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC): https://honors.uci.edu/
UC Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan (UC system): https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/tuition-financial-aid/types-of-aid/blue-and-gold-opportunity-plan.html
UC system — Test-free policy: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman-requirements/exam-requirement/
California Student Aid Commission — Cal Grant: https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grants

💰 Cost of Attendance at UC Irvine (2025–2026)

The figures below reflect UCI’s standard full-time undergraduate budget for on-campus students. Actual totals vary with housing type, meal plan, and personal spending. California residents pay in-state rates; nonresidents add a required Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST).

Category California Resident Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees $14,934 $52,536
includes $37,602 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition (NRST)
Housing & Meals (on campus) $19,653 $19,653
Total Estimated COA ≈ $34,587 ≈ $72,189

Note: Additional typical allowances used in financial-aid budgets include books & supplies (~$1,543), transportation (~$943), and personal expenses (~$2,283). Health insurance and course/program fees may add costs depending on your situation.

📉 Average Net Price (after aid):
About $15,500 per year on average (federal-based aggregator). Your net price depends on income, residency, and eligibility for Cal Grant and UC aid. Use UCI’s net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Policy: UC Irvine does not participate in WUE and offers no automatic nonresident tuition waivers. Nonresident students must pay the full NRST unless awarded major scholarships.

COA Mini-FAQ

Can grants cover full tuition? They can for some California residents when Cal Grant and UC aid meet full need, but this isn’t guaranteed.

Is there an out-of-state discount or WUE? No. UCI isn’t part of WUE and doesn’t offer automatic OOS waivers.

Do costs vary by major? Systemwide tuition is the same; certain programs may add small course or lab fees.

Where do I estimate my net price? Use UCI’s net price calculator and file FAFSA/CADAA by March 2 for best consideration.

Sources (COA):
UCI Cost of Attendance (Undergraduate): https://www.ofas.uci.edu/cost/
UC Tuition & Fees (systemwide; NRST details): https://www.ucop.edu/operating-budget/fees-and-tuition/
UCI Registrar — Tuition & Fees: https://reg.uci.edu/fees/
UCI Housing — Rates & Dining: https://housing.uci.edu/rates/
UCI Net Price Calculator: https://ofas.uci.edu/npc/
AB 540 (CA Nonresident Tuition Exemption): https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/california-nonresident-tuition-exemption

Automatic Scholarships & Grants

UC Irvine does not offer automatic merit scholarships based solely on GPA or test scores. The only “automatic” awards are need-based grants for California residents, based on timely FAFSA or CA Dream Act submission by March 2.

Here are the most common automatic aid programs for in-state families, shown in full detail below:

Program Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan Covers full systemwide tuition & fees CA resident, family income under $80,000, demonstrated financial need No (awarded via FAFSA/CADAA) Yes (must meet criteria & file each year) Most full-time CA undergrads with need, meet deadlines March 2
Middle Class Scholarship Partial tuition based on need & formula CA resident, family income and assets below $234,000, not eligible for full need-based tuition grants No (auto with FAFSA/CADAA) Yes (re-applies each year and remains eligible) Middle-income CA families not qualifying for Cal Grant or Blue & Gold March 2
UC Irvine Grant $500–$10,000+ CA resident or AB 540, demonstrated financial need, FAFSA/CADAA No (auto via FAFSA/CADAA) Yes (must meet criteria & file each year) CA undergrads with unmet need after other grants/aid March 2
No Automatic Aid for Out-of-State Students:
These programs are only for California residents. Out-of-state students cannot receive UC need-based grants or tuition waivers. They may only qualify for competitive scholarships or external/private aid.
File by March 2:
To be considered, you must submit your FAFSA or CA Dream Act application by March 2.

FAQ: Automatic Scholarships & Grants

Does UC Irvine offer automatic merit scholarships?
No. UCI does not award any automatic scholarships based only on GPA or test scores. Major scholarships are need-based or require competitive review or application.
Who qualifies for the Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan?
Full-time California residents with family income under $80,000 and need, who submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act on time, will have their tuition and fees covered.
Does any UC grant or scholarship apply to out-of-state students?
No. Out-of-state students pay nonresident supplemental tuition and do not qualify for these grants. Only competitive scholarships or private aid may offset costs for nonresidents.
What’s the deadline for aid eligibility?
March 2 is the cutoff for submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act for all need-based grants, including Blue & Gold and the Middle Class Scholarship.
What can families do if they don’t qualify for need-based aid?
Competitive UCI scholarships based on major, service, or leadership are available, but must be applied for separately. Plan ahead and use the UCI or departmental scholarship portals.

Competitive Scholarships

UC Irvine offers several highly competitive scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfers, but none are guaranteed by GPA or test scores alone. Most awards are invitation-based or selected from the full UC applicant pool using holistic review, academic merit, leadership, and service.

Most major awards require no separate application. All students who submit the UC application by November 30 are automatically considered for flagship scholarships below.

Scholarship Award Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
Regents’ Scholarship Up to $10,000/year
(renewable up to 4 years for freshmen; 2 years for transfers)		 Top 1–2% of all admits (holistic UC app review); U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or certain Calif. Dream Act/AB 540. No major, state residency, or test score cutoff No (auto with UC application) Yes (maintain 3.0 GPA & full-time progress) Most selective students campus-wide; top coursework, essays, leadership, and citizenship Nov 30
Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship Up to $2,500/year
(renewable for up to 2 years)		 CA residents or certain transfers, high academic record, strong UC application; requires U.S. citizenship, eligible non-citizen, or AB 540/DREAM status No (auto with UC application) Yes (min 3.0 GPA, 12 units per quarter) Freshmen and transfer students with strong academics and service, not limited by major Nov 30
UCI Campuswide Scholarships $500–$2,000
(varies)		 Merit, service, or identity; must file FAFSA or CA Dream Act to finalize award No for most (auto with UC app); Yes for some niche awards (see UCI Scholarship Portal) Some (by award) Students with standout profiles, major-match, or special interest/identity; selected from general pool or via application Nov 30 (UC app); Jan 15 (scholarship portal)
FAFSA or CA Dream Act Required:
Even for merit-based scholarships, UCI often requires the FAFSA or CA Dream Act on file to finalize offers. Don’t skip it—even if you don’t expect need-based aid.
Can you stack awards?
Yes. Students can stack major campus scholarships with grants and outside awards, up to the total cost of attendance. Regents’ recipients may add housing discounts or other forms of aid.
What does “high-achieving” mean?
UCI does not publish cutoffs, but most Regents’ and Chancellor’s scholars are in the top 5%—often a UC GPA of 4.2+, high-level coursework, and compelling leadership or service.

FAQ: Competitive Scholarships

Do I need to apply separately for UC Irvine scholarships?
No. Major awards like Regents’ and Chancellor’s are automatic with your UC application by November 30. Some department or identity-based scholarships may require a separate app in UCI’s scholarship portal (open through January 15).
What does “high-achieving” mean at UCI?
Typically the top 1–2% for Regents’ (GPA 4.2+, AP/IB rigor, major leadership roles), and top 5% for Chancellor’s. Grades alone aren’t enough—extracurriculars and strong essays matter.
Do out-of-state students qualify?
Yes, Regents’ is open to out-of-state students (subject to eligibility), though most recipients are California residents. Chancellor’s and many campuswide scholarships require CA or AB 540 residency.
Can you stack competitive scholarships with grants?
Yes. Awards like Regents’ can be stacked with federal and state grants or external awards, up to the cost of attendance. Some housing or research awards may also be stackable.
When do students hear if they’ve received a major scholarship?
Most major campus awards, including Regents’, notify students in spring around the time of admission decisions. Final confirmation may come after the financial aid package is finalized.

Hidden Gem Scholarships & Opportunities

UC Irvine offers a variety of lesser-known scholarships and support awards through departments, identity-based groups, and campus programs. These may not show up on general admissions pages, but they add up—especially when stacked with other aid.

Scholarship or Program Award Amount Eligibility Stackable? Separate App? Who Actually Wins? Deadline
UCI Black Thriving Initiative Scholarships $1,000–$5,000 Black/African American students; must be admitted and enrolled Yes Usually (campus/division app open after matriculation) Active students in the Black Thriving Initiative; leadership or engagement required Varies (summer/fall for most)
Dreamers Scholarships Up to full in-state tuition Undocumented/DACA/AB 540 students with demonstrated need Yes Yes (DREAM Center or campus apps; FAFSA/CADAA required) Students engaged with the DREAM Center or supporting the undocumented community March 2 (main); rolling for others
Arts & Music Program Awards $500–$2,000 Art, theatre, music, or dance majors/minors; talent or audition required Yes Usually (department audition/portfolio window) Students with faculty endorsements and strong portfolios; not limited to majors Varies by program (typ. Jan–Mar)
UCI Service Awards $1,000 (one-time) Significant high school leadership, service or outreach involvement Yes Yes (application, often in summer/fall) Students with clear service roles and a documented impact Varies (summer/fall of entry)
First-Generation Support Grants Workshops, priority advising, up to $1,000 in small grants First-generation college students; on financial aid Yes Sometimes—program or office application Engaged first-gen students; those using Student Success Initiatives or Gateway Scholars Rolling; varies by program
Summer Bridge Scholarship Covers program fees/housing (~$2,000+) First-gen, low-income, or disadvantaged; CA residents, AB540, or eligible Dreamers; must enroll in Summer Bridge/FSSP Yes Yes (specific FSSP application) Admitted students opting in to FSSP and meeting program eligibility May 26 (application deadline)
UCIAA Endowed Scholarship Up to $10,000 (freshmen, paid over 4 years); up to $5,000 (transfers, over 2 years) Incoming frosh/transfers; donor priorities include leadership, community, hardship, or regional ties Yes Yes (campus alumni scholarship app with essays) Students whose backgrounds align with donor mission and have strong recommendations March 2 (priority); rolling for others
Don’t overlook stackable aid:
These awards may seem modest on their own, but they often stack with grants or competitive scholarships—helping cover gap costs or special academic needs.

In addition to scholarships, UCI has many support and grant programs to help first-gen, low-income, or underrepresented students thrive:

  • 📚 Freshman Edge & Summer Bridge: Early entry for first-gen and underrepresented students, including peer mentorship and stipends or housing aid.
  • 🔬 Campuswide Honors Collegium: Honors students may receive research stipends or travel support for conferences and academic projects.
  • 🏫 Departmental Scholarships: UCI colleges (e.g., Engineering, Biological Sciences) offer awards for incoming and continuing students meeting merit, need, or inclusion priorities.
  • 🎓 Alumni Association Awards: Alumni-funded scholarships available for first-gen, regional, or leadership students—typically $500–$2,000.
  • 🛠️ On-Campus Job Programs: Pell-eligible and low-income students qualify for priority job placement or higher-wage roles through UCI’s employment offices.
  • 💛 Emergency Grants: UCI CARE Office offers confidential grants supporting students in crisis due to trauma, violence, or housing instability—vital safety net aid.

FAQ: Hidden Gems & Campus Opportunities

When can students apply for these scholarships?
Most hidden gem awards open up after admission, sometimes as early as orientation or summer. Some are auto-awarded; others require a short campus form.
Where do you find department or specialty scholarships?
After declaring a major, check with the department’s website or academic advisor. Many UCI divisions run their own smaller scholarship cycles for STEM, arts, and humanities majors.
Do these small scholarships actually matter?
Yes! Many students stack $500–$2,000 awards across different offices to plug financial gaps, buy books, or manage living costs—these can make a real difference.
Is there extra help for first-gen students?
UCI has special advising, peer mentors, summer programs, and sometimes micro-grants for first-gen college students—even starting with pre-freshman year support.
What about safety net programs for crisis or hardship?
UCI’s CARE Office and similar emergency aid sources offer grants during crises like violence, housing loss, or severe financial stress. These aren’t scholarships—but they’re crucial for keeping students enrolled and supported.

Honors Program: Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC)

UC Irvine’s honors program is called the Campuswide Honors Collegium (CHC). This academic and community-based program is designed for top-performing students who want smaller class sizes, early research experiences, and close faculty engagement.

Most students are invited based on their UC application, but self-nomination is possible. If you’re not automatically invited, you can apply after admission through the CHC portal.

Tip:
If you aren’t invited to CHC but have strong academics (UC GPA 4.0+), consider self-nominating. Being part of CHC can open doors to research, internships, and mentorship—even without a separate CHC scholarship.

FAQ: UC Irvine Honors Program

Is the honors program by invitation only?
No. Most students are invited based on their UC app, but others may join through self-nomination if their academic record is strong after admission.
What GPA is usually needed to get into CHC?
Most honors students have a UC GPA of 4.2 or higher and have taken advanced courses. Leadership, research, or unique goals are also considered in selection.
Does CHC come with a scholarship?
No CHC-specific or automatic scholarship is awarded just for being in CHC. Many CHC students win Regents’ or departmental scholarships through other campus processes.
What are the benefits of CHC membership?
Priority registration, smaller honors classes, faculty mentorship, early research opportunities, and an honors diploma upon graduation.
Is the program overly competitive or stressful?
No. CHC is intentionally designed as a close-knit, supportive learning community with enrichment for engaged and motivated students—not just those with perfect grades.

🎯 What UC Irvine Is Known For

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a public R1 Research University and one of the fastest-rising campuses in the UC system. Known for innovation, diversity, and academic excellence, UCI has earned national recognition in computer science, engineering, biological sciences, and the arts—while maintaining a strong reputation for affordability and student outcomes.

Standout Program: Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences
Ranked among the Top 20 computer science schools in the nation (U.S. News 2025), UCI’s Bren School is a powerhouse for artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction. It’s also one of the only independent computer science schools within a major research university.
Institutional note: UC Irvine is a public R1 Research University recognized for its interdisciplinary research and innovation across technology, health, and sustainability.
  • Henry Samueli School of Engineering — Ranked among the Top 50 engineering programs nationwide (U.S. News 2025), known for biomedical, civil, and environmental engineering.
  • School of Biological Sciences — Ranked in the Top 25 nationally for biological and biomedical sciences, with major NIH-funded research in neuroscience, genetics, and immunology.
  • Paul Merage School of Business — AACSB-accredited and ranked in the Top 50 public business schools, offering strengths in information systems, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
  • School of Medicine — Ranked among the Top 100 medical schools for research and primary care, with leading programs in neuroscience, cancer biology, and integrative medicine.
  • Claire Trevor School of the Arts — Recognized as one of the Top 10 public university arts programs in the U.S., offering acclaimed programs in drama, dance, film, and digital arts.
  • School of Social Ecology — A nationally distinctive interdisciplinary school focused on criminology, psychology, and urban planning, ranked among the Top 20 in its fields.

💬 Final Thoughts

UC Irvine doesn’t always make the loudest headlines—but for many families, it’s one of the smartest choices in the UC system. With strong programs in computer science, engineering, and the health sciences, plus a reputation for innovation and inclusion, UCI offers a balance of prestige and practicality. Combine that with need-based grants, departmental awards, and state aid, and a UC education can be more attainable than you might expect. For students who want a forward-thinking, supportive campus in the heart of Southern California, Irvine quietly overdelivers.

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