Student Finance

Paying for UCLA involves a few key systems: financial aid, the BruinBill account where charges are posted and paid, the BruinCard for on-campus spending, and resources for financial wellness and military-connected families. This page explains how each one works and where your student goes to manage it.

Before you can see your student’s financial records, your student must grant you Third Party Access. Federal privacy law (FERPA) prevents UCLA from sharing billing, financial aid, or grades with families without the student’s consent.

Financial aid and scholarships

All students can apply for financial aid, and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office helps students and families meet the cost of attending UCLA. The office is in A-129 Murphy Hall. Aid can include scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans, and need is determined by the application your student files each year.

Because of FERPA, the office cannot release information to a parent without the student granting Third Party Access. Students can track aid, view their Electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN), and submit summer applications under the Financial tab on MyUCLA. The FATV video library answers common questions any time.

File the FAFSA or California Dream Act application

Your student should file a FAFSA or California Dream Act application every year to be considered for aid. March 2 is the priority filing deadline; students who file by this date are considered for maximum eligibility.

The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal aid and is used by UCLA to build the financial aid package. The California Dream Act application lets students at eligible California institutions apply for state aid. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an estimate of what a family may contribute toward a year’s educational expenses, not a bill.

Types of aid

• Scholarships. Need- or merit-based awards that aren’t repaid. Entering students are considered based on their admission application. Continuing students can apply for need-based scholarships from January 1 through March 2 through the scholarship website. The Center for Scholarships and Scholar Enrichment lists restricted, merit, and need-based options.
• Grants. Need-based awards that aren’t repaid, including federal and state grants such as Cal Grants.
• Federal Work-Study. Qualifying students work up to 20 hours per week in an on- or off-campus job. See eligibility and jobs.
• Loans. Parents and students can qualify for federal loans through the Direct Loan Program, with a range of rates and terms.
• Blue + Gold Opportunity Plan. Covers educational and student services fees for California residents whose families earn less than $80,000 a year and qualify for aid. See the Blue + Gold Opportunity Plan.

Summer aid

In addition to the FAFSA, students complete the Summer Financial Aid Application on MyUCLA under Finances and Jobs. Deadlines vary by program:

• Summer Travel and Global Internships: March 1 to early April
• UCLA Summer Session or College Summer Institute for entering students: April 1 to late August
• UC Cross Campus: April 1 to mid-June
• College and Professional Summer Institutes: April 1 to early June

BruinBill

BruinBill is the account that records your student’s charges and payments, including tuition and fees, housing, parking and transit, and other charges like health insurance. Since the OneBill initiative launched in fall 2022, these costs appear on a single Regular Term Bill, and financial aid and scholarship disbursements factor into the balance automatically. Summer session fees remain separate.

Your student can manage BruinBill almost any time by logging in to MyUCLA and selecting BruinBill Accounts. To pay your student’s bill, you and your student set up Third Party Access, after which you can pay online, by check, or in person at 1125 Murphy Hall, and opt in to monthly e-Bill reminders.

Payment deadlines

Fees are assessed monthly and payment is due on the 20th of the month following the posting date. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the prior business day. Quarterly tuition and fee deadlines are:

• Fall quarter: September 20
• Winter quarter: December 20
• Spring quarter: March 20

UCLA may automatically drop a student’s courses if payment isn’t received on time, which can carry short- and long-term consequences. For questions, contact Student Accounts at (310) 825-9194 or Ask Student Accounts.

BruinPay Plan

The BruinPay Plan lets students and families pay term fees in monthly installments. Students enroll on BruinBill during the pre-term enrollment period each term, using a U.S. checking or savings account or a credit card. Third-party logins can’t enroll in the plan, and an account is ineligible if it’s fully covered by aid, carries an unpaid prior balance, or has certain returned payments, among other limits.

Do not enroll in the separate Auto Pay feature if you’re already in the BruinPay Plan. Auto Pay overrides the plan and withdraws the full balance on its own dates.

Fees, residency, and health fees

• Fee breakdown. Charges appear on BruinBill each quarter and online at Registrar fees. Full fee descriptions are on the admissions budget page.
• Establishing residency. Students who aren’t California residents pay nonresident supplemental tuition. See the Registrar’s residence requirements.
• Health fees. Students with other coverage may waive UC SHIP quarterly or annually, which removes that charge from BruinBill. See Student Health & Wellness for insurance details.

BruinCard

The BruinCard is your student’s all-purpose campus card. It serves as their ID, gym pass, library card, meal card, and building access card, covers laundry in the residence halls, and works as a debit card on campus and with participating vendors.

Families can add money to the card online or at machines across campus, and many use it to track a student’s spending. The card has two accounts: Easy Pay, for purchases anywhere the card is accepted, and Food Only, for on-campus dining. Funds remain on the card until six months after graduation; a refund request form closes the account and returns any balance. The BruinCard office is at 123 Kerckhoff Hall, (310) 825-2336.

Financial wellness

UCLA’s Financial Wellness Program helps students build financial literacy and navigate money in a way that supports their well-being. It offers workshops, individual coaching, and online resources, and encourages students to know who, when, and why to ask for help. The program also publishes a Financial Wellness Resource guide.

Veteran and military-connected families

The UCLA Veteran Resource Center supports military-connected students, including active-duty, reservist, National Guard, veterans, and the children, partners, spouses, and dependents of service members. The Center offers peer advising, tutoring, scholarships, career support, and guidance on educational benefits. It’s the first stop for connecting to campus and accessing these services. Reach the Center at veteran@saonet.ucla.edu, and submit VA or CalVet documents here.

Several benefits can help cover education costs at UCLA. Eligibility rules are detailed, so confirm the specifics with each program:

• California Veteran College Fee Waiver. Waives system-wide tuition for eligible dependents of veterans under four plans (A through D) with differing service, age, and income criteria. It does not cover books, parking, or room and board, and applicants must meet UCLA residency requirements. Apply through your local County Veterans Service Office.
• Chapter 35: Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA). Provides up to 36 months of benefits, paid monthly to the student, for children and spouses of veterans who died or are permanently and totally disabled from service. Apply through the VA.
• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship. For children and spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. Covers full in-state tuition, up to $1,000 a year for books, and a monthly housing allowance, for up to 36 months. Apply through the VA.