UC Merced Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
UC Merced is the newest campus in the University of California system, but it offers the same world-class opportunities and financial aid options as its sister schools. If you’re a California family, you’ll want to check the California state aid guide alongside this page. And if you’re an out-of-state student, UC Merced’s scholarships and tuition savings programs can make this growing research university more affordable than you might expect.
💰 Cost of Attendance at UC Merced
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $16,054 | $53,656 |
| Housing & Meals (On-Campus) | $22,594 | $22,594 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $46,082 | $83,684 |
Learn more in our full WUE Guide.
Example: A non-resident on-campus student ($83,684 before aid) could see their cost reduced to about $79,600 with WUE—before need-based grants.
FAQs about UC Merced Tuition Discounts
Who qualifies? Typically out-of-state students from WUE partner states who meet GPA and enrollment requirements.
How much can it save? Around $4,000 per year, but savings depend on residency status and continued eligibility.
Is it automatic? Past awards were automatic with FAFSA submission and qualifying GPA, but always confirm with the UC Merced Financial Aid Office for the current year.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UC Merced offers a small but meaningful set of admission-based scholarships. These awards are automatic—no extra forms or essays—and can significantly lower the cost for strong California students and select nonresidents.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Regents’ Scholarship | $7,000 per year (up to 4 years for freshmen) |
All admitted freshmen and transfers are automatically considered | No | Yes (4 yrs freshmen / 2 yrs transfers) |
Top ~2–3% of admits; usually GPA 4.0+ (UC weighted), rigorous AP/IB courses, strong essays and leadership |
| Fiat Lux Scholars Program | $100,000 guaranteed over 4 years (≈ $25,000 per year) |
CA residents with ≥ 3.0 GPA, Pell & Cal Grant eligible, FAFSA/CADAA by priority deadline | No | Yes (must remain Pell/Cal Grant eligible, full-time enrollment) |
CA students with ~3.0–3.7 GPA who qualify for need-based aid; often first-gen or lower-income backgrounds |
| Institutional Scholarships | Varies (often $1,000–$5,000 per year) | All incoming students submitting FAFSA/CADAA; GPA ≥ 3.2 required | No | Yes (must maintain ≥ 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment) |
Typical awardees have GPA in the 3.3–3.8 range with complete aid applications; fills the gap below Regents |
GPA/test score bands for Regents are not published. Ranges above are based on past award patterns and estimates from admitted student profiles.
FAQs about UC Merced Automatic Merit
Do I need to apply separately? No. Regents, Fiat Lux, and most Institutional scholarships are awarded automatically when you apply for admission and file the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2.
Are test scores considered? No. The UC system is test-free for admission. These awards are based on GPA, coursework, essays, and financial aid eligibility.
Can these stack with other aid? Yes. Regents, Fiat Lux, and Institutional scholarships can stack with need-based grants such as the Blue & Gold Guarantee. Check with UC Merced’s Financial Aid Office for specific caps.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Some UC campuses offer big competitive awards like “Presidential” or “Trustee” scholarships. UC Merced does not. The Regents’ Scholarship (already listed above) is the closest thing to a flagship merit award here.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None at this time | — | — | — | — | UC Merced does not currently offer named competitive merit scholarships beyond Regents |
FAQs about UC Merced Competitive Scholarships
Does UC Merced have Presidential or Trustee awards? No. Regents is the top award, and the rest fall into hidden gem or departmental categories.
Should I still apply in ScholarshipUniverse? Yes. While not “competitive” in the flagship sense, ScholarshipUniverse houses dozens of smaller awards with their own requirements and deadlines.
Can these stack with Regents or Fiat Lux? Often yes, but stacking depends on the donor fund rules. Always check the specific award terms.
⭐ College Specialties
UC Merced may be the newest UC campus, but it’s already making big waves. As an R1 research university—meaning “very high research activity”—it stands out especially in engineering, environmental and health sciences, and social mobility. It’s earned national recognition for being both innovative and deeply committed to access.
- Materials Engineering – Ranked **#91 nationally** in graduate programs (2025, U.S. News).
- Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering & Computer Science graduate group – Ranked **#99 nationally** (2025, U.S. News).
- Overall School of Engineering (graduate level) – Climbed to **#106**, up 18 spots in 2024-25 rankings.
- Physics Graduate Program – Jumped 25 spots to reach the top 100 in 2023-24.
- Applied Mathematics (Graduate) – Ranked **#125 nationally**.
- Social Mobility & National Impact – UC Merced is ranked **#1 in the nation for social mobility** (Wall Street Journal, 2024). Also, among the top 20 national universities overall.
- Money’s “Best Colleges in America” – Recognized in 2025 for excellence, affordability, and student success.
🎖 Honors Program
UC Merced does not currently have a traditional university-wide Honors College like some larger UC campuses. Instead, high-achieving students are supported through honors-level coursework, undergraduate research opportunities, and departmental honors pathways. These options give motivated students a way to deepen their studies without adding extra years to their degree.
GPA 3.5+, active in undergraduate research, pursuing a thesis or capstone, and often involved in leadership roles on campus.
- Priority access to research opportunities with faculty mentors
- Departmental honors thesis or capstone project options
- Small seminars in select majors
- Recognition at graduation and on transcripts
UC Merced’s honors opportunities are decentralized—offered by academic departments rather than a single college. For example, majors in engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences often provide an “Honors Thesis” option for juniors and seniors who meet GPA and research requirements.
FAQs about UC Merced Honors
Is admission automatic? No. There’s no central application, but students with strong GPAs (3.5+) can pursue departmental honors or faculty research pathways.
Does it add time to my degree? No. Most honors work is built into your upper-division courses and capstone project.
Are there scholarships tied to honors? Not directly. However, research stipends and departmental awards (covered under 💎 Hidden Gems) often go to honors-level students.
What’s the benefit? Hands-on research, stronger grad school prep, and transcript recognition that sets students apart.
📎 Official Links
✅ Final Thoughts
UC Merced may be the newest UC campus, but it’s quickly building a reputation as a serious research university with a strong commitment to access. Families will find clear automatic aid like Regents and Fiat Lux, smaller hidden-gem awards through ScholarshipUniverse, and statewide recognition for social mobility. If your student is considering the University of California system, Merced can be an affordable entry point that still offers the prestige and opportunity of an R1 campus.
✅ Last updated: August 28, 2025