UC Santa Cruz Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on March 31, 2026- 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: ~73%
- Middle 50% ACT: 29
- Middle 50% SAT: 1290
- Average GPA: 4.0
- Below the typical ranges: UCSC is more accessible than some UC campuses, but GPA still drives everything. Focus on strong A–G coursework and a compelling UC application—there’s no test score to help offset lower grades.
- In the typical ranges: You’re in a solid position. The UC Personal Insight Questions matter more than most parents realize—this is where students can stand out since everyone is evaluated without test scores.
- Well above the ranges: Admission odds improve, but don’t expect big merit money. Like all UC schools, UCSC offers limited merit aid, so affordability depends more on need-based aid than high stats.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 UC Santa Cruz at a Glance
- UC Santa Cruz is test-blind—ACT/SAT scores are not used at all for admission or scholarships.
- There are no true automatic merit scholarships—Regents and campus awards are competitive and limited to top applicants.
- Out-of-state students should plan for full nonresident tuition—UC schools do not offer WUE or broad tuition discounts.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — UC Santa Cruz is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 29; SAT: 1290.
Average net price? About $17,713/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in none.
UCSC Financial Aid – Scholarships: https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
UCSC Global Learning – Scholarships: https://globallearning.ucsc.edu/finances/gl-scholarships/
UCSC Social Sciences – Awards and Scholarships: https://socialsciences.ucsc.edu/about/awards
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County – Scholarships: https://cfscc.org/scholarships
Baskin School of Engineering – Undergraduate Awards: https://undergrad.engineering.ucsc.edu/awards
UCSC News – Sabatte Family Scholarship gift announcement: https://news.ucsc.edu/2024/09/sabatte-family-scholarship/
Smith Renaissance Society – Scholarships: https://smithsociety.ucsc.edu/scholarships
UCSC Undergraduate Research – Awards: https://ugr.ue.ucsc.edu/research-awards
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at UC Santa Cruz 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) | $16,005 | $50,205 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $19,948 | $19,948 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $35,953 | $70,153 |
Average Federal Net Price: $17,713 — 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.
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.
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.
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. |
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.
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
🎖 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.
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.
- 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: 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: 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.
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.
- 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).