University of California Los Angeles 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: ~9%
- Middle 50% ACT: N/A
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Average GPA: 4.25
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- Below the typical ranges: UCLA is a high reach. Make sure your list includes strong financial and admissions safeties—especially schools with guaranteed merit.
- In the typical ranges: You’re competitive on paper, but UCLA admits very selectively. Activities, leadership, and impact matter just as much as grades. Treat this as a reach.
- Well above the ranges: Even top students are not “safe” here. UCLA is holistic and unpredictable—and being overqualified won’t translate into merit money.
Comparing multiple schools?
Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of California Los Angeles at a Glance
🏆 Full Tuition Opportunity Available
Average Net Price
$20,200/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
Check college site
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
22 opportunities
4 competitive · 7 hidden gem · 11 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-required
No superscore.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 30 • FAFSA: Mar 2
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Available for top qualifiers
Honors College
Honors Program Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at University of California, Los Angeles (Read This First)
- Extremely selective admissions: Around a 9% acceptance rate means even highly qualified students get denied every year.
- Minimal merit aid: The Regents Scholarship is about $5,000 per year—not full tuition—and is highly competitive.
- Test scores won’t help: UCLA is test-free, so SAT/ACT cannot improve admission chances or unlock scholarships.
- No out-of-state discounts: UCLA does not offer WUE or reciprocity, so nonresident costs remain high unless you qualify for need-based aid.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? No — University of California Los Angeles is test-required.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: N/A.
Average net price? About $20,200/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in none.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of California Los Angeles 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) |
$15,700 |
$53,302 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$18,960 |
$18,960 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$34,660 |
$72,262 |
Average Federal Net Price: $20,200 — 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.
🌎 Out-of-State Tuition Policy:
UCLA does not participate in WUE and offers no automatic nonresident tuition waivers. NRST applies to all out-of-state undergraduates. Some students may later qualify for California residency after meeting strict state requirements.
COA Mini-FAQ
Can grants cover full tuition? For eligible California residents, Cal Grant plus UC aid can meet more of the cost; coverage is not guaranteed.
Is there WUE or an OOS discount? No—UCLA isn’t in WUE and does not offer automatic nonresident waivers.
Do costs vary by major? Systemwide tuition is the same; some programs add modest course/lab fees.
Where do I estimate my net price? Use UCLA’s Net Price Calculator and submit FAFSA/CADAA by March 2 for best consideration.
Sources (COA):
UCLA Undergraduate Estimated Costs / Cost of Attendance: https://financialaid.ucla.edu/undergraduate/estimated-costs
UC Tuition & Fees (systemwide; NRST details): https://www.ucop.edu/operating-budget/fees-and-tuition/
UCLA Registrar — Tuition & Fees: https://registrar.ucla.edu/fees-residence/tuition-fees
UCLA Housing — Rates & Dining: https://housing.ucla.edu/rates/
UCLA Net Price Calculator: https://sa.ucla.edu/fao/npc
AB 540 (CA Nonresident Tuition Exemption): https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/california-nonresident-tuition-exemption
Automatic Scholarships
Unlike many other large public universities, UCLA does not award automatic scholarships based on GPA or test scores. There are no published “merit” tiers or auto-discounts for in-state or out-of-state students, no matter how strong the academic profile.
Nearly all UCLA undergraduate funding is need-based. To qualify for most aid, you must:
- Submit the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by March 2
- Have demonstrated financial need (income, assets, and family size are considered)
- Be a California resident for state and university grant eligibility
Out-of-state families should not expect automatic aid. You’ll need to pursue private scholarships, national programs, or competitive merit aid at other universities to help with costs.
📝 Does UCLA superscore?
Yes, UCLA will superscore the SAT for admissions decisions only. This means your highest section scores across test dates are considered—but because scholarships are not based on GPA or test scores, this won’t increase your institutional aid.
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does UCLA offer automatic merit scholarships?
-
No. There are no automatic merit scholarships for GPA, ACT, or SAT. All undergraduate aid is primarily need-based.
- Do California students get in-state tuition automatically?
-
Yes. Admitted students who are legal California residents receive the lower in-state tuition rate without a separate application.
- Can out-of-state students get auto aid from UCLA?
-
No. Even high-achieving out-of-state students won’t receive automatic scholarships or discounts from UCLA. Seek external or national scholarships instead.
- Does superscoring the SAT impact scholarships?
-
No. Superscoring affects admissions only—not aid or scholarships—at UCLA.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Most scholarships at UCLA aren’t flashy or automatic. They’re need-based, departmental, or donor-funded—and often require essays, applications, or recommendations. Some are only available once your student is already enrolled.
App Required
Regents Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 30 (UC application); March 2 (FAFSA or CADAA priority deadline for need-based supplement)
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
👥 ~Up to 100 per year (~500 active Regents Scholars at UCLA) winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable with outside scholarships and other UCLA aid. The $2,000 honorarium is paid regardless of need; if you also demonstrate financial need, UCLA layers in additional university scholarships or grants up to your full need. Outside awards must be reported to Financial Aid.
📄
How to Apply
Automatic consideration via the UC application; the strongest holistic-review admits are invited in early February to submit a Regents Scholarship application reviewed by the Faculty Committee on Honors, Awards and Prizes. Selection is finalized with the admission decision.
Selection criteria: Holistic review weighing academic excellence, leadership, and exceptional promise; school-by-school criteria vary (portfolio for arts schools, academic for L&S and Engineering)
💡
Strategic Detail
The $2,000/year stipend is the headline number, but the real value is the package around it: priority enrollment from your second quarter, guaranteed campus housing (if you meet Housing deadlines), guaranteed parking, and faculty mentorship through the Regents Scholar Society. Freshmen get 12 quarters of funding; transfers get 6. Up to 100 awarded annually; roughly 500 active Scholars on campus at any time. UCLA Regents cannot be transferred to or from another UC campus.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
UCLA's most exceptional admits across the holistic review — top academics, real leadership, and that 'exceptional promise' factor. For Arts & Architecture, Theatre/Film, and Music applicants, the portfolio carries enormous weight; L&S and Engineering lean academic.
Automatic
UCLA Achievement Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 30 (UC application); March 2 (FAFSA or CADAA priority deadline)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$500–$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable with most UCLA aid, but because it's tied to demonstrated need, the amount can shift year over year as your aid picture changes. Outside scholarships are coordinated against your overall need.
💡
Strategic Detail
$500–$10,000 per year for up to four years, sized to your demonstrated financial need. Eligible freshmen first see it on their Provisional Award Letter (PAL) during admission; the final Financial Aid Award Notification (FAN) confirms it after the Statement of Intent to Register. Renewal requires re-filing FAFSA or CADAA every year by March 2 and continued financial need — miss the deadline and you forfeit that year's funding.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: UCLA's top-ranked academic admits who also show clear financial need on their FAFSA or CADAA — this one is engineered for the highest-achieving need-eligible Bruins.
App Required
UCLA Alumni Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Typically February for freshman applicants; check the Prospective Scholarship Portal for exact cycle dates
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$6,000–$20,000
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable with Regents, Achievement, and need-based aid up to cost of attendance. Students who qualify for multiple Alumni awards receive only the largest one. Years 2–4 payments require completing at least 30 hours of service annually to UCLA or the Alumni Association — miss the service hours and the next year's installment is at risk.
📄
How to Apply
Separate application through the UCLA Prospective Undergraduate Scholarship Portal; one application is screened by alumni volunteers and Financial Aid for all three Alumni programs (Freshman Alumni, Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, and Legacy). Essays required; interviews used for many programs.
Selection criteria: Leadership impact, community engagement, academic record, and fit to the specific Alumni program track
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
Freshman awards run $6,000–$20,000 paid in equal installments over 4 years; transfer awards are $6,000 over 2 years. Students with demonstrated financial need can also receive up to $5,000 in additional need-based funding their first year on top of the merit award. Alumni Scholars get membership in the Alumni Scholars Club with leadership programming, alumni mentoring, and networking access.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Well-rounded Bruins with real leadership credentials — student government, sustained community work, founding something that mattered. Pure GPA without the impact story rarely wins this one. The Bunche track focuses on students who add to UCLA's diversity; Legacy is for students with a UCLA-graduate parent.
Automatic
Chancellor's Blue and Gold Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Nov 30 (UC application); March 2 (FAFSA or CADAA priority deadline)
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Approximately 350 active scholars winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable with other UCLA aid. Because this one is tied to a community-service requirement, the renewal mechanics are slightly different from pure merit awards — miss the hours and the next year's check is at risk.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000–$5,000 annually for up to 4 years (freshmen) or 2 years (transfers). Supports roughly 350 students with annual expenditures topping $1 million. Recipients must complete 20 hours of community service each year they receive the award — typical activities include recruitment and outreach to other LA-area students, workshop support, and giving back to their alma mater high schools.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving students from LA County high schools (or local community colleges, for transfers) that don't historically funnel many students to UCLA — this is UCLA's intentional bet on broadening access in its own backyard.
* 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.
📝 How does UCLA choose who gets scholarships?
Some (like Regents or Achievement) are determined automatically from the UC app—no extra steps needed. Alumni Scholarships and most department/honors awards require a separate application, essays, and sometimes an interview. Selection always looks beyond academics: leadership, service, life story, and your possible campus contributions count most.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does my kid get considered for the Regents or Achievement Scholarship?
-
Just submit the full UC application by November 30. No separate form is needed. Only a small group of top students with academics, essays, service, and need will be chosen—and the offer appears with admission, if selected.
- What is the Alumni Scholarship and who gets it?
-
This is one of UCLA’s few awards requiring a supplemental application, essays, and usually an interview. It is aimed at admitted Bruins showing leadership, service, and campus potential—often more about well-rounded impact than grades.
- Do first-generation or underrepresented students have a better shot?
-
Yes. Many scholarships value diversity, background, and overcoming challenges. First-generation and underrepresented students are encouraged to share their story and achievements honestly in their essays.
- Will these scholarships cover the full cost?
-
Not usually. Most competitive scholarships are in the $2,000–$10,000/year range. For in-state families, these can bridge a meaningful gap alongside Cal or Pell Grants; for out-of-state, the impact is often more modest.
🔎 Hidden Gem Scholarships & Opportunities
UCLA offers a wide range of scholarships outside the flagship programs—many for first-gen, departmental, identity-based, and arts-involved students. These awards aren’t as widely advertised but can be stacked to lower your costs.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
First Gen Alumni Award
📅 Deadline: April/May
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Criteria each year
📄
How to Apply
Supplemental application required; campus engagement; interview
Selection criteria: Service/campus involvement
✎ Essays🎤 Interview
💡
Strategic Detail
Multi-year, strong service/campus impact
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Active Pell-eligible students with campus leadership/impact
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Herb Alpert School of Music Award
📅 Deadline: Dec–Feb (music cycle)
✓ Renews
$1,000–$10,000
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable
📄
How to Apply
Music application and audition required
Selection criteria: Talent/ensemble
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes band/ensemble awards
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Active performing artists/band members, not just music majors
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UCLA Marching Band/Ensembles Grant
📅 Deadline: Mar–June (audition cycle)
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Band/ensemble audition and application; full-year participation
Selection criteria: Leadership/ensemble participation
💡
Strategic Detail
Renewable with participation
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Non-majors, all class years; leadership/service considered
App Required
Ola Zuckerman ‘39 Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 7
Non-Renewable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
📄
How to Apply
Portal application, essay, and reference letter after admission
Selection criteria: GPA/first-gen/promise
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Open to first-gen, aid eligible, freshmen
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-gen, high-need, academically strong freshmen
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UCLA Student Research (SRP) Awards
📅 Deadline: Varies (Jan–May)
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Research project/app with declared major; faculty mentor required
Selection criteria: Research/project/faculty
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
For research with faculty mentorship
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Undergrads working with faculty, especially underrepresented groups
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
UCEAP First Generation Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 1
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Essay and portal form required after acceptance to UCEAP
Selection criteria: First-gen status/aid
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes additional airfare stipend
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-gen students accepted to a UC study abroad program
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Department/Major-Based Awards
📅 Deadline: Spring/summer
✓ Renews
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Department portal/app required; faculty nomination or project submission
Selection criteria: Faculty/project
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded across all majors
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Active STEM, social science, arts, or humanities students with faculty buy-in
* 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.
Hidden Gem Scholarship Tips:
Most hidden gem awards require action after admission: connect with your department, band, or first-gen office early. Many are stackable, but you’ll need to track deadlines and confirm you meet all eligibility and renewal requirements—especially for programs that require essays, faculty sponsors, or proof of participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find out about hidden scholarships after I’m admitted?
-
Check your department’s website, the main UCLA Scholarship Portal, First-To-Go/First Gen Initiatives, and student performance groups early. Many deadlines happen right after SIR acceptance.
- Can I stack these awards on top of flagship scholarships?
-
Yes! These awards are often designed to stack with Regents, Achievement, or need-based aid, up to the total cost of attendance.
- Are these open to transfer students or just freshmen?
-
Many hidden gem, departmental, band, and research awards are fully open to transfers, sophomores, and juniors—not just new freshmen.
- What happens if I miss the first deadline?
-
Departments may reopen cycles in winter or spring or offer rolling micro-grants during the year. Check back for new opportunities, especially for research and performance stipends.
📘 Honors at UCLA: What It Is and Why It Matters
UCLA’s College Honors Program is for high-achieving students ready for advanced seminars, priority registration, close faculty connections, and special research support. It’s not automatic—students are invited or apply after admission, and eligibility is based on GPA, coursework, and potential for academic impact.
College Honors students get exclusive access to campus housing, priority class selection, and special scholarship opportunities described below. These awards, funded by donors and the university, are only open to students in the honors program and are highly competitive.
App Required⚠ Sophomore Only
Doris H. and Milton J. Chasin Endowed Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
👥 ~5 per year winners/yr🎓 Sophomore
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill for the following academic year. Stackable with most UCLA aid; coordinates with need-based aid through the FA office.
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application; matching is automatic once you confirm California residency, U.S. citizenship, and financial need in your application profile. ROTC/NROTC/AFROTC participants are excluded.
Selection criteria: Eligibility filters first, then academic merit and essay quality among eligible applicants
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$4,000 flat award, 5 recipients per year. The eligibility stack is restrictive: must be a College Honors student with sophomore standing or higher, a California resident, a U.S. citizen, demonstrate financial need, AND not be participating in ROTC, NROTC, or AFROTC. If all five line up, this is one of the most generous flat-amount Honors awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Five Honors students per year who hit all four filters: California resident, U.S. citizen, demonstrated financial need, and no military science participation. The ROTC exclusion is unusual and explicit — if you're in any ROTC track, this one is closed to you.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Honors Research Stipend
📅 Deadline: Feb 26 (application cycle typically opens late January)
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Approximately 20 stipends per year plus 1 outstanding-proposal bonus winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Treated as a research stipend rather than tuition aid — typically does not affect tuition-based financial aid calculations the way a scholarship would, but check with Financial Aid before counting on the full amount.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Honors Summer Research Stipend application packet (proposal + application form) via the Honors Programs online form. Your faculty sponsor emails their signed Faculty Sponsor Agreement separately to the Honors Scholarships Coordinator by the same deadline.
Selection criteria: Innovation and quality of research proposal; feasibility and scope; strength of faculty sponsor support
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000–$2,500 stipend (average around $1,000) funding summer research in any discipline — library, lab, or field-based. Approximately 20 awards per year, plus a single $500 bonus to the strongest proposal. Money can cover research expenses or offset work hours so you can focus on the project.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Roughly 20 Honors students per year with the sharpest, most feasible research proposals and a faculty sponsor willing to vouch for the work. The most outstanding proposal each year picks up an extra $500 bonus on top.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Honors Research Thesis Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (with Honors scholarship window); URSP application due in June separately
Non-Renewable
👥 ~3 awards total per cycle (1 per named scholarship) winners/yr🎓 Senior
✚
Stacking & Combining
Designed to layer with URSP funding and standard UCLA aid. The $5,000 supports thesis-related expenses and time, not tuition directly — so it generally doesn't reduce need-based aid the way a tuition scholarship can.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the College Honors Scholarships application and indicate senior thesis participation. Required: a short statement of endorsement from your faculty thesis advisor (on official letterhead) describing the general thesis topic. Recipients must also apply for the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) — that has its own June deadline.
Selection criteria: Strength of thesis topic and proposal; faculty endorsement; fit to named award preferences (major or need)
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Three $5,000 awards within this umbrella, each tied to senior thesis work: Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship (1 award, English major preference), Magda & Frederick R. Waingrow Endowed Research Scholarship (1 award, financial need preference), and Eugen and Jacqueline Weber Undergraduate Research Scholarship (1 award, European Studies / Central & East European Languages / History; French Studies preference). All require a 2026–27 senior thesis and concurrent URSP application.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Honors students with a real thesis project lined up for senior year, a faculty advisor who can vouch in writing, and a clear topic that fits the named award's preference (English for Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research; European Studies/Central & East European Languages/History for Eugen and Jacqueline Weber; financial need for Magda & Frederick Waingrow).
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Joan Palevsky Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (with Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
👥 ~2 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill for the following academic year. Stackable with most UCLA aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application — no separate standalone application is required. Faculty support strengthens the file but is not strictly mandated for this award.
Selection criteria: Academic excellence and quality of Honors prompt response
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Flat $2,500 award, 2 recipients per cycle. Awarded through the standard College Honors Scholarships process — students apply once and are matched automatically.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Two College Honors students per year with excellent academic records and a standout Honors prompt response. Listed under the 'Open Honors Scholarships' category — no class-year restriction in the master listing.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Major-Specific Honors Scholarships
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
🎓 Upperclassmen
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill. Stackable with most UCLA aid. Some awards have financial-need preference that can interact with your aid package — check with Financial Aid if you're heavily aided.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the single College Honors Scholarships application; matching to major-restricted named awards happens automatically. A few specific named awards require additional materials (faculty endorsement, supplementary statement) — prep these before the portal opens.
Selection criteria: Academic record within the qualifying major; departmental engagement; essay quality; demonstrated alignment with the named award's discipline
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Major-locked awards include: Rosalind W. Alcott Scholarship ($2,000, 2 awards — Poli Sci, Economics, Business Economics, or International Area Studies juniors); Bradford E. Burns Endowed Scholarship in History ($3,000, 1 award — History majors); Andrea L. Rich Honors Scholarship in the Humanities ($2,000, 1 award — Humanities/History upperclassmen with financial need); Helen Lane Merit Scholarship ($2,000–$4,000, 2 awards — foreign language including Greek, Latin, Hebrew); Morgan H. Harris Jr. Endowed Scholarship ($3,000, 3 awards — Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences majors; financial need, LAUSD-graduate preference); Bette and Don Prell Merit Scholarship ($2,500, 2 awards — open to all with Philosophy preference); Frederick R. Waingrow Peterson Publishing Company Scholarship ($4,000, 4 awards — students with interest in publishing, communications, or media; financial need).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors juniors and seniors whose declared major lines up with a named award's discipline lock. Departmental engagement (research with a major faculty member, departmental honors track) materially strengthens the file.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
👥 ~5–7 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill for the following academic year. Stackable with most UCLA aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application and complete the Honors prompt. No separate standalone application beyond the standard Honors form.
Selection criteria: Academic merit and quality of essay/personal statement
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Award range $2,000–$5,000, 5–7 recipients per cycle. Open to all Honors students with no major restriction (separate from the Rose Gilbert in Memory of Maggie Gilbert Scholarship and the Rose Gilbert Undergraduate Research Scholarship, which have their own preferences).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Five to seven Honors students per year with strong academic records and a thoughtful, personal Honors prompt response. Listed in the 'Open Honors Scholarships' category — no major or class-year lock.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Rose Gilbert in Memory of Maggie Gilbert Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
👥 ~5–7 per year winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill for the following academic year. Stackable with most UCLA aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application; automatic matching as part of the Open Honors Scholarships pool.
Selection criteria: Academic merit and quality of essay/personal statement
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
$2,000–$5,000, 5–7 recipients. A sister award to the main Rose Gilbert Honors Programs Scholarship — same application process, separate funding pool. Together the two Rose Gilbert awards can put 10–14 Honors students into significant scholarship territory in a single cycle.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Five to seven Honors students per year — same scale as the main Rose Gilbert award. Often goes to students with humanities or English leanings, though the listing is officially open.
App Required⚠ Senior Only
Senior Achievement Awards (College Honors)
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window); awards disbursed in spring of the current academic year
Non-Renewable
👥 ~1 award per named scholarship (2 total per cycle) winners/yr🎓 Senior
✚
Stacking & Combining
Paid in spring of the senior year (rather than rolling to the following year), so timing matters if you're coordinating with final-semester aid.
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application; graduating Honors seniors are matched automatically to the senior-only named awards. Joel Rothblatt Award asks applicants to flag first-generation status in their profile.
Selection criteria: Academic accomplishment in Honors and overall impact; for Rothblatt, first-gen status and financial need are weighted
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Umbrella covering the two senior-only Honors awards: Barbara Ladd Gates Award for Intellectual Accomplishment ($1,200, 1 award, graduating spring or summer senior) and Joel Rothblatt Award ($500, 1 award, junior or senior graduating spring/summer, first-generation college student, preference for financial need). Both are disbursed in spring of the current academic year rather than rolling forward.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: College Honors seniors graduating in spring or summer with exceptional academic records or — for the Joel Rothblatt Award — first-generation status with junior or senior standing and preference for financial need.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Special Eligibility Honors Awards (Umbrella)
📅 Deadline: March 23 – April 5 (Honors scholarship window)
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
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Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly via BruinBill. Stackable with most UCLA aid; the awards with need preferences coordinate with the FA office.
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How to Apply
Apply via the single College Honors Scholarships application; matching is automatic to the named award whose specific filters you meet (California residency, varsity athletics background, religious career intent). Some named awards within the umbrella require supplementary statements — prep these before the portal opens.
Selection criteria: Eligibility filters first, then academic merit and essay quality among matched applicants
✎ Essays
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Strategic Detail
Umbrella covering three named Special Eligibility awards: Irma and Jerome S. Miller Memorial Scholarship ($1,000, California residents); Gabrielle de Vellis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000, 2 awards, financial need plus high school varsity athletics); Reverend James A. Davidson & Elizabeth Beck Memorial Scholarship ($1,200, sophomore+ standing with preference for students pursuing a career in ministry or religious work). Each has its own narrow filter — make sure the relevant background detail is documented in your scholarship profile so the matching algorithm catches it.
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Who Actually Wins
Honors students with specific background facts that match the donor's intent — California residency for Irma and Jerome S. Miller, a high school varsity athletics record plus financial need for Gabrielle de Vellis, or stated commitment to ministry or religious work for Reverend James A. Davidson & Elizabeth Beck. The matching is mechanical, but you have to declare the relevant detail in the application.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College Honors Scholarships (General Honors Scholarships)
📅 Deadline: Application window typically March 23 – April 5 (with portal showing April 8 buffer); all materials due 11:59 p.m. on closing day
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Honors scholarships are disbursed quarterly via BruinBill and apply to the following academic year. They stack with most other UCLA aid, but receiving other awards can affect specific scholarship eligibility — check with Financial Aid before submitting if you're already funded heavily.
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How to Apply
Single application through the UCLA Financial Aid Scholarship Portal during the spring window. Students respond to the Honors Prompt (released in advance) and are automatically matched to every Honors scholarship they qualify for — no need to apply to each named award separately.
Selection criteria: Academic performance, extracurricular engagement, and quality of the Honors prompt response
✎ Essays
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Strategic Detail
One application opens you up to the full library of named Honors scholarships — typical individual awards run $500–$5,000, with the umbrella pool spanning $1,000–$20,000 across all programs combined. The Honors website lists the April 5 internal deadline, while the AcademicWorks portal shows April 8; treat April 5 as your real deadline and don't bank on the buffer. Most awards are open to all Honors students; only one in the catalog requires U.S. citizenship.
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Who Actually Wins
Current College Honors or College Scholars students who treat the Honors essay prompt like a real piece of work — thoughtful, specific, and clearly their own thinking. Lazy essays get filtered fast.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Named College Honors Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Application window March 23 – April 5; all materials due 11:59 p.m. on closing day
Non-Renewable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Disbursed quarterly through BruinBill and applied to next year's tuition. Stackable with most UCLA aid, but heavy financial aid recipients should check with the FA office before submitting because some scholarships shift your need calculation.
📄
How to Apply
Same single College Honors Scholarships application — students are automatically considered for every named award they qualify for. A handful require additional documentation (faculty endorsement letters, statements about religious career intent, etc.) that should be prepared before the portal opens in March.
Selection criteria: Academic record, leadership, essay quality, and fit to the named award's specific criteria; some require faculty endorsement
✎ Essays
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Strategic Detail
The named-award catalog includes Barbara Ladd Gates Award ($1,200 for graduating seniors), Joel Rothblatt Award ($500, first-gen senior preference), Joan Palevsky ($2,500), Richard Carleton Meeker Jr. Memorial ($2,000, need preference), Ira J. and Shirley Spoon Honors Collegium ($3,000), Stuart C. & Scott L. Waugh ($2,000–$5,000), Seymour and Mary Black Endowed ($2,000–$5,000), and others. Some named awards have specific eligibility (major, class year, need, citizenship) — the single Honors application sorts you into the ones you match.
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Who Actually Wins
Honors students whose academic record, essay, and (when required) faculty support all line up cleanly with a specific named scholarship's criteria. Because matching is automatic, the strongest applicants often pick up multiple named awards in a single year.
* 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.
Important Notes for Honors Candidates:
Most honors awards require a dedicated College Honors application (March–April); others rely on departmental nomination or project proposals. Research stipends often require a short faculty letter and proposal summary. Many are stackable, but recipients are expected to remain active in the program and maintain GPA requirements throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Honors Scholarship Questions
- How do you apply for these honors scholarships?
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All College Honors students are emailed about the annual application window in March. You’ll complete a profile, write an honors essay, and (for some awards) include a project proposal or faculty recommendation.
- Is it possible to win more than one?
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Yes, but awards are distributed to maximize impact—rarely does one student win multiple in the same year. Research stipends often come on top of another open scholarship.
- Are there honors-specific scholarships for transfer students?
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Yes. College Honors admits who transferred from another institution can apply for all the scholarships above—plus special senior awards reserved for high-achieving transfer graduates.
- Does being in honors help with grad school or fellowships?
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Yes! Honors status, scholarship wins, and research projects are all “signalers” for competitive grad schools and prestigious national fellowships during senior year.
🎯 What UCLA Is Known For
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public R1 Research University and one of the most prestigious public institutions in the world. Combining academic rigor with creative energy, UCLA leads in medicine, business, law, and the arts—and consistently ranks among the Top 20 universities globally for research, reputation, and innovation.
Standout Program: David Geffen School of Medicine
Ranked the #6 medical school for research and #10 for primary care (U.S. News 2025), UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine is internationally recognized for medical innovation, biomedical discovery, and community-based healthcare. It’s among the most competitive programs in the country, with partnerships across the UCLA Health system.
Institutional note: UCLA is a public R1 Research University and the most applied-to university in the nation, known for its global impact and world-class faculty.
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Samueli School of Engineering — Ranked the #8 public engineering school (U.S. News 2025) with elite programs in computer, electrical, and biomedical engineering.
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Anderson School of Management — Consistently ranked among the Top 15 business schools nationally, known for entrepreneurship, finance, and technology management.
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School of Theater, Film & Television (TFT) — Ranked in the Top 10 film schools worldwide (The Hollywood Reporter 2025), producing award-winning directors, writers, and producers.
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School of Law — Ranked #13 nationally (U.S. News 2025) with highly regarded programs in constitutional law, entertainment law, and public interest advocacy.
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College of Letters & Science — Home to Top 10-ranked departments in psychology, sociology, political science, and history, as well as top-tier humanities programs.
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School of Education & Information Studies — Ranked #1 among public education schools in California and #7 nationally, with leadership in urban education and equity research.
💬 Final Thoughts
UCLA represents the best of California’s public higher education—prestige, opportunity, and diversity all wrapped into one campus.
It’s easy to get caught up in the name, but what truly makes UCLA shine is its blend of academic rigor, creativity, and community.
Between state aid, departmental scholarships, and research opportunities, many families are surprised by how attainable it can be.
For students ready to dream big and work hard in one of the nation’s top public universities, UCLA offers an unmatched combination of challenge and possibility.
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