UC Merced Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See California aid & Grants
Last Updated on June 4, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~95%
- Middle 50% ACT: 27.5
- Middle 50% SAT: 1265
- Average GPA: 3.73
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Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 UC Merced at a Glance
Average Net Price
$12,744/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$1,000–$25,000/yr
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
9 opportunities
4 automatic · 5 hidden gem
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3+; ACT TBD+ / SAT TBD+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-required
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: TBD • FAFSA: Mar 2
Honors College
Honors Program Available
UC Merced is one of the few places where a “UC education” and “affordable” can actually go together—especially for California families. The real money here isn’t flashy merit scholarships. It’s how state aid (Cal Grant, Blue & Gold) stacks with federal aid to quietly wipe out tuition for many students. The Regents and Chancellor’s awards are nice bonuses, but they’re not the main financial engine.
This is a school that rewards students who apply on time, write solid PIQs, and take advantage of the system. It’s newer, growing fast, and built around opportunity—especially for first-gen and middle-income families. If your student is open to a less traditional UC campus and wants access to research, smaller classes, and real financial upside, this is one worth a serious look.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — UC Merced is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 27.5; SAT: 1265.
Average net price? About $12,744/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in none.
💰 Cost of Attendance at UC Merced 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$16,054 |
$53,656 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$22,594 |
$22,594 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$38,648 |
$76,250 |
Average Federal Net Price: $12,744 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Reciprocity or Regional Discounts: UC Merced does not participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or other regional tuition programs. Out-of-state students pay the full nonresident supplement. However, many receive substantial need-based aid and federal grants that reduce overall costs.
FAQs about UC Merced Costs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
California residents who meet UC residency requirements or AB 540 eligibility for Dream Act students.
How much do most families really pay?
The majority of in-state students pay under $15,000 per year after Cal Grants and UC Blue & Gold aid are applied.
Are there any automatic scholarships?
Yes — Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships are automatically considered for admitted students, and most need-based aid is awarded through FAFSA or CADAA.
Sources:
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/cost-attendance
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships
https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/
https://housing.ucmerced.edu/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?445188-University-of-California-Merced
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
✅ 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.
Automatic
Fiat Lux Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: March 2 (FAFSA or CADAA)
✓ Renews (2.75 GPA, 4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Here's the key thing to understand about Fiat Lux — it's not a separate check on top of your other aid. It's a guaranteed floor. UC Merced adds together your Pell Grant, Cal Grant, institutional grants, scholarships, fee waivers, and VA benefits, and if that total is below $25,000 for the year, they fill the gap with Bobcat Grant funds. So Fiat Lux essentially guarantees a minimum of $25,000 per year in free money — or $100,000 over four years — as long as unmet need supports it.
💡
Strategic Detail
Fiat Lux is UC Merced's signature financial guarantee program for first-generation, Pell- and Cal-Grant-eligible California residents. Rather than a standalone scholarship, it's a four-year promise of at least $100,000 in combined gift aid. The contingency to know: the $25,000 floor only applies if your unmet need supports it — if your need is lower, the grant total matches your actual unmet need. Students must live in the Fiat Lux living-learning community their first year, file FAFSA or CADAA by March 2 every year, meet the June 1 document deadline, maintain a 2.75 GPA on 12+ units per term, and keep their Pell/Cal Grant eligibility intact.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A small, hand-picked cohort of first-generation California students who qualify for both the Pell Grant and Cal Grant, carry at least a 3.0 high school GPA, and demonstrate real financial need. UC Merced reviews admissions and financial aid files to extend invitations — students cannot apply for Fiat Lux directly. If your family meets the income thresholds and your student is first-gen, this is one of the most generous funding floors in the UC system.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
Institutional Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 3 (FAFSA or CADAA)
✓ Renews (3 GPA)
$1,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
These awards layer on top of federal and state aid (Pell, Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship) and other institutional grants, but total aid cannot exceed your cost of attendance. If a scholarship pushes you past that ceiling, UC Merced will first reduce loans or work-study before touching grants or scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
Here's how the institutional scholarship pipeline really works at UC Merced: there is no separate application for incoming freshmen. File the UC application and submit your FAFSA or CADAA by March 3, and you're automatically in the pool for every fund administered by OFAS. New students generally need at least a 3.25 GPA to be considered for most awards. Continuing students do have to actively apply each year through the ScholarshipUniverse portal and need a 3.0 cumulative GPA from the prior fall semester to be eligible. The full catalog of awards is searchable at ucmerced.scholarshipuniverse.com/public/.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Strong all-around applicants who hit the GPA threshold and file their financial aid paperwork on time. For new students, the floor is a 3.25 GPA on the UC application. For continuing students, the floor is a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Beyond the academic minimum, donor-defined criteria like major, hometown, leadership, or background drive which fund a student gets matched to.
App Required
MAAP Scholarship (Merced Automatic Admission Program)
📅 Deadline: Sept 30 (MAAP application window: Sept 1–30); Dec 1 (UC application filing deadline) · 📢 Results: Prior to the UC application deadline
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
The $3,000 MAAP award stacks with Pell Grant, Cal Grant, Bobcat Grant, Fiat Lux funding, and other institutional scholarships, subject to UC Merced's cost-of-attendance and unmet-need ceilings. If your total aid package would exceed COA, financial aid will adjust loans or work-study first before touching grant or scholarship dollars.
📄
How to Apply
Two-step process. First, submit the MAAP application between September 1 and September 30 of your senior year through UC Merced's MAAP portal. Second, submit the UC application to UC Merced during the standard October 1 to December 1 filing window. Students who meet MAAP academic criteria (UC A–G coursework, weighted UC GPA of 3.0+) get guaranteed admission AND the $3,000 per year scholarship.
Selection criteria: MAAP is criteria-based, not comparative — meet the academic thresholds (UC A–G + 3.0 weighted UC GPA) and submit both applications on time, and admission plus the $3,000/year scholarship are guaranteed.
💡
Strategic Detail
MAAP is a two-for-one deal that flies under the radar of most college-search lists. Students from partner high schools who meet the academic criteria get guaranteed admission to UC Merced AND a renewable $3,000 per year scholarship — a total of $12,000 over four years. The partner list spans roughly 40 districts including Fresno Unified, Modesto City Schools, Sacramento City Unified, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Merced UHSD, and many more across the Central Valley with a few SoCal and Bay Area additions. One important nuance: the admission guarantee does not extend to selective programs like Fiat Lux, the University Honors Program, or SJV PRIME+ — those still require separate consideration. Your major selection on the MAAP application is non-binding; whatever you put on the UC application takes precedence.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High school seniors at one of UC Merced's ~40 partner districts and schools — heavily concentrated in the Central Valley and a few SoCal/Bay Area partners — who complete UC A–G coursework with a weighted UC GPA of 3.0 or higher and submit both the MAAP application and the UC application on time. If your student's high school is on the partner list, this is essentially a guaranteed admission plus a $12,000 four-year scholarship for hitting modest academic thresholds.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
UC Regents' Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 30 (standard UC application filing deadline) · 📢 Results: March or April prior to enrollment
✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Every Regents' Scholar receives the $7,000 honorarium regardless of need. If you also have demonstrated financial need beyond that, UC Merced layers on the maximum university scholarships and grants to cover your remaining in-state need. The need-based portion is recalculated annually and is designed to flex around your federal, state, and outside aid — so if you bring in big outside scholarships, the Regents' need-based component may shrink, but your $7,000 honorarium stays put.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Regents' Scholarship is UC Merced's most prestigious merit award and one of the highest honors at any UC campus. Freshmen receive it for four years (eight semesters); transfer students receive it for two years (four semesters). The $7,000 annual honorarium is guaranteed regardless of need, plus need-based components that can stack on top. One important note: the award is unique to UC Merced and cannot be transferred to another UC if your student decides to move campuses. Scholars must report any outside scholarships to OFAS so awards can be re-balanced against the cost-of-attendance cap.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A small slice of admitted students — the top of UC Merced's incoming class. The selection committee looks at academic performance, the quality of admission essays, extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, leadership, hardships overcome, and distinctive personal accomplishments. This is the closest thing UC Merced has to a flagship competitive merit award, and unlike at Berkeley or UCLA, there is no separate application or interview — your UC application essays are doing all the work.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Ranges above are based on the latest published eligibility and renewal criteria, plus reported admit profiles. GPA/test score minimums are estimated where not officially disclosed.
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; MAAP requires a separate form.
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, Institutional, and MAAP scholarships can stack with need-based grants like the Blue & Gold Guarantee. Always confirm your final package with Financial Aid for award stacking policies.
Sources:
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/types-scholarships
https://fiatlux.ucmerced.edu/
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/uc-regents-scholarship
https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/maap
https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/
🏆 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.
This institution does not offer designated Competitive scholarships at this time.
At UC Merced, most “extra” scholarships are donor- or department-based and housed in the
ScholarshipUniverse system. We cover those under
💎 Hidden Gems since they’re more like niche or identity-based opportunities than large, campus-wide competitions.
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.
Sources:
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/types-scholarships
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/uc-regents-scholarship
https://ucmerced.scholarshipuniverse.com/
https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
UC Merced doesn’t have a long list of big-name competitive awards, but there are plenty of “hidden gem” scholarships tucked away in the ScholarshipUniverse system and through campus partners. These tend to be donor-funded, identity-based, or tied to majors and student involvement. For the right student, they can add meaningful extra dollars on top of Regents or Fiat Lux.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Departmental/Major Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 2 (for associated aid applications)
Non-Renewable
$500–$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Typically awarded in addition to institutional and external aid for eligible majors.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through academic departments or ScholarshipUniverse, following each department’s instructions for major-based scholarships.
Selection criteria: Departments typically weigh GPA, academic achievements, and participation in research or departmental activities.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers multiple school and department-based awards across engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and public health; specifics vary by unit and donor.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Upper-division students in highlighted majors with strong GPAs, faculty connections, and meaningful campus involvement.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Donor-Funded Scholarships (ScholarshipUniverse)
📅 Deadline: March 2 (FAFSA or CA Dream Act for many funds)
Non-Renewable
$500–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Generally stack on top of institutional awards and need-based aid, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Log in to the UC Merced ScholarshipUniverse portal, complete the profile, and submit applications for matched donor-funded scholarships.
Selection criteria: Selections are donor-specific, often considering GPA, major, service, financial need, and short-answer responses.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Amounts and renewal terms vary by individual donor fund; portal lists current opportunities and detailed criteria.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with GPAs in the low‑to‑mid 3s or higher whose major, service, or background closely matches donor criteria.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
First-Gen/Identity-Based Awards
📅 Deadline: March 2 (FAFSA or CA Dream Act)
Non-Renewable
$1,000–$3,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Typically stack with institutional merit and need-based aid as smaller supplemental awards.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through ScholarshipUniverse or relevant campus departments after filing FAFSA or CA Dream Act; complete any required short essays or forms tied to first-generation or identity-based programs.
Selection criteria: Emphasis on identity fit, campus engagement, and maintaining a solid GPA; often reviewed holistically.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes a variety of smaller awards for first-generation, BIPOC, women in STEM, and other identity-based groups, most requiring current enrollment and good academic standing.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-generation and underrepresented students, often active in mentoring or identity-based campus organizations.
Automatic
Gateway Scholarship Program
📅 Deadline: March 2 (FAFSA or CADAA)
✓ Renews
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Approximately 36 students per year winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Gateway stacks with Pell Grant, Cal Grant, Bobcat Grant, Fiat Lux, MAAP, and other institutional scholarships, subject to UC Merced's cost-of-attendance ceiling. Like other gift aid, it's layered onto your award package and OFAS will adjust loans or work-study first if the total bumps against COA.
💡
Strategic Detail
Gateway is a true hidden gem — almost no one outside the Central Valley college-access network knows about it. Established in 2015 and supercharged by a $9 million anonymous endowment in 2023, the program funds about 36 students per year and gives preference to graduates of Merced high schools. The strongest path in is through the CEP Gateway Scholars pipeline during high school, which provides ongoing academic advising to help students complete UC A–G requirements. If your student is in middle or early high school in the Merced area, this is worth investigating now rather than later. Dollar amounts are not publicly published — Gateway is administered through ScholarshipUniverse/AcademicWorks with award sizes set annually based on need and endowment performance.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Roughly 36 first-generation, financially-need-eligible students per year who graduate from Merced-area high schools and were part of UC Merced's CEP Gateway Scholars pipeline during high school. The program leans toward students from under-resourced schools who participated in early-intervention advising — so this isn't a scholarship a student walks in cold and wins. It rewards the long-game students who plugged into UC Merced's outreach programs years before applying.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Army high school scholarship boards typically meet between October and March; campus-based deadlines vary.
✓ Renews
Full Tuition
military ROTC scholarships (tuition plus stipend)
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers tuition and certain fees; students may still qualify for some need-based or campus aid within ROTC and federal rules.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the appropriate Army or Air Force ROTC scholarship application and selection boards; coordinate with UC Merced ROTC partner units after admission.
Selection criteria: Branch-specific holistic review emphasizing academics, leadership, fitness, and commitment to military service.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
ROTC scholarships commonly cover up to full tuition and approved fees plus a monthly stipend and book allowance; specific benefits depend on branch and scholarship type.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with strong academics, physical fitness, leadership potential, and a clear intention to commission as officers.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
University Friends Circle / Student Org Awards
📅 Deadline: Typically March 1 for annual nomination cycle.
Non-Renewable
👥 ~One organization per award cycle, subject to UFC selection. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
One-time award that supplements other scholarships and aid; supports continued service projects.
📄
How to Apply
Student organizations or students submit a nomination through the University Friends Circle or Community Engagement Center portal by the stated deadline.
Selection criteria: Recognizes exemplary community service impact and alignment with UFC and Community Engagement Center values.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
The University Friends Circle Service Organization Award provides about $1,000 to support ongoing community service efforts by the recipient organization.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Student leaders or organizations with a strong record of community and multicultural service around UC Merced.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
FAQs about UC Merced Hidden Gems
Where do I find these? Most are inside the ScholarshipUniverse portal, but some (like University Friends Circle or multicultural org grants) are run directly through campus offices.
Do I need to reapply every year? Yes. Even renewable scholarships usually require you to log in and confirm eligibility annually.
Can I stack hidden gems with Regents or Fiat Lux? Yes, in most cases. These are usually smaller add-ons that stack with your main award package.
When should I apply? ScholarshipUniverse opens Feb 1, and most awards align with the March 2 FAFSA/CADAA deadline. Student org grants may follow their own calendar.
Sources:
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/institutional-scholarships
https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/types-scholarships
https://ucmerced.scholarshipuniverse.com/
https://studentleadership.ucmerced.edu/UFC-awards
https://armyrotc.com/scholarships/
https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/
🎖 Honors Program
UC Merced offers a growing University Honors Program (UHP). This selective, university-level program supplements the existing honors thesis/project tracks run by academic departments. UHP gives high-achieving students early access to research, faculty mentorship, academic seminars, and special community engagement opportunities.
What a Typical UC Merced Honors Student Looks Like:
For UHP: Admits and current first-years with strong curiosity, engagement, and ambition (no strict minimum GPA for entrance; most selectees have 3.7+ HS GPA and exceptional involvement). For departmental honors: 3.5+ GPA, undergraduate research, thesis or capstone, and campus leadership.
Perks of UC Merced Honors Pathways:
- Priority research and seminar access (UHP & departments)
- Faculty-mentored research/thesis projects and small honors seminars
- Professional/leadership development and special networking events
- Recognition at graduation and on official transcripts/diplomas
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
FAQs about UC Merced Honors
Is admission to UHP automatic? No. You must apply after admission (for new frosh) or in January (for rising sophomores). Cohorts are capped and selection is holistic, not based solely on GPA.
Does it add time to my degree? No. Most requirements (seminars, thesis, research) fit inside normal four-year degree plans.
Are there scholarships tied to honors? Not directly. UHP and departmental honors give access to research stipends and some donor awards, but do not guarantee additional automatic merit.
What’s the benefit? Priority for research, mentoring, and grad school prep, plus university distinction and transcript/diploma recognition.
Sources:
https://honors.ucmerced.edu/admissions
https://honors.ucmerced.edu/eligibility
https://honors.ucmerced.edu/requirements
https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/
https://engineering.ucmerced.edu/academics/academic-honor
https://naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu/undergraduate/honors
https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/honors
⭐ 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.
Flagship Program: Graduate-level **Environmental Systems / Environmental Health Engineering** ranked **#85 nationally** in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
- 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.
✅ 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.
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