Apply for Aid

Complete both FAFSA & UCSF Financial Aid Application

FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UCSF's school code is 001319. Create an account (FSA ID) if needed.

International students (neither U.S. citizens nor Permanent Residents) are excluded from completing the FAFSA, but must still complete the UCSF Financial Aid Application at the Financial Aid Portal.

UCSF Financial Aid Application

Complete the Online Financial Aid Application at the Financial Aid Portal. New students should follow the above financial aid portal link and click on "Get MyAccess" in order to register as a new user. Those who already have a MyAccess account can simply login to access the financial aid portal.

Applicants will need to choose either the Basic Funding, Full Funding, or Non-UCSF Funding Only option when completing the UCSF Financial Aid Application. Applying for Full Funding generally requires submission of parental information and provides a broader level of funding consideration than the Basic Funding.

• Basic Funding

  Basic funding consists of federal Title IV funds (Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct (Stafford) Loan, and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS) and may include minimal institutional grant funding, depending on your eligibility. It does not include full consideration for need-based campus funds. Unless instructed otherwise, Basic Funding consideration does not require parental information or the CSS Profile form.

  Students in the following programs are eligible for Basic Funding ONLY:

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN Entry-Leadership Focus)
  • Global Health Sciences
  • Graduate Academic
  • International Dentistry Program (IDP)
  • Master's in Advanced Studies program
  • Master's in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI)
  • Master's in Training in Clinical Research (ATCR)
  • Nursing Doctoral Program
  • Nursing Post-Master's Program
  • Online Master's in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership (MS-HAIL)
  • Postgraduate Dentistry Programs
• Full Funding

  Full Funding reviews your financial background in more detail to consider you for additional aid, including all need-based Health Professional Loans and a potentially larger need-based grant. We consider parents' information on the CSS PROFILE to obtain a complete picture of your financial situation. We provide this extra step in our review for the following populations:

  • Students under 30 years old by December 31st of the application cycle
  • Students in the School of Medicine regardless of age

   

• Non-UCSF Funding Only

  The Non-UCSF Funding Only option is for students who do not want to be considered for any UCSF funding or Federal loans. Students with the following circumstances should choose the Non UCSF Funding Only option:

  • Students who will using Veterans Benefits only.
  • Students who will be using the CalVet Fee Waiver only.

   

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Complete the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE

CSS Financial Aid PROFILE

UCSF's CSS school code is 7152.

Who Should Complete the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE?

• Entering students applying for Full Funding consideration.
• Continuing students who are applying for Full Funding consideration for the first time.
• Continuing MEPN students matriculating to the master's program who are applying for Full Funding consideration

Who Should NOT Complete the PROFILE?

• Applicants for Basic Funding consideration
• Applicants for Full Funding consideration who are 30 years of age or older by December 31st of the application cycle and are not in the School of Medicine
• Continuing students renewing financial aid, except for continuing MEPN students under age 30 and applying for Full Funding for the first time
• International Students
• Students enrolled in the following programs:
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN Entry-Leadership Focus)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN Entry to DNP — Advanced Nursing Focus)
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Global Health Sciences
  • Graduate Academic
  • International Dentistry Program (IDP)
  • Master's in Advanced Studies Program
  • Master's in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Drug Discovery and Development (MS in AICD3)
  • Master's in Biomedical Imaging (MSBI)
  • Master's in Health Data Science
  • Master's in Training in Clinical Research (ATCR)
  • Nursing Doctoral Program
  • Nursing Post-Master's Program
  • Online Master's in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership (MS HAIL)
  • Postgraduate Dentistry Programs

Student Loans

In compliance with SB 1289, we are providing the following disclosure about loans.

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  Due to the Federal Budget Control Act of 2011 passed by Congress, graduate students are eligible for the unsubsidized loan only. The interest rate for this loan is set by Congress and adjusted annually on July 1. The current interest rate (7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023) is fixed at 6.54%. The current loan fee as of October 1, 2021 is 1.057%. Interest accrues on the Direct (Stafford) Unsubsidized Loan during periods of enrollment and non-enrollment, the six-month post-enrollment grace period, and periods of eligible deferments. Repayment begins six months after student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

  This loan is reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by student, guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

  Only for students who have exceeded their annual or aggregate Direct (Stafford) Loan limit

  Some students may require additional funding beyond what their annual or aggregate Federal Direct (Stafford) limit allows. The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan is available to students who have not met their full financial aid budget for the year and have met the limits on the Federal Direct (Stafford) Loan and other financial aid resources. The maximum loan amount students can borrow is the school’s approved cost of attendance minus other financial aid (i.e., scholarships, grants, Federal Direct Loan, and other loans). This loan is not based on financial need.

  The interest rate for the Federal Graduate PLUS is set by Congress and it is adjusted annually on July 1. The current interest rate (7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023) is fixed at 7.54%. The current loan fee as of October 1, 2021 is 4.228%. Repayment begins 6 months after borrower graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

  The Department of Education requires a credit check for the Graduate PLUS. Students who are denied due to adverse credit (i.e., 90 days or more delinquent on any debt, or credit report showing default, loan discharge, foreclosure, repossession, and bankruptcy) are notified directly, along with their options. Students can appeal if the adverse credit information is incorrect, or provide document to the Department of Education if there are extenuating circumstances relating to their adverse credit history. Click here for more information. Students may also be able to apply with an endorser (co-borrower) who satisfies the credit requirements. Students should contact Applicant Services for Grad PLUS Loan Borrowers at 1-800-557-7394 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET), Monday to Friday, if their loan is denied.

  UCSF IS UNABLE TO OFFER ANOTHER LOAN TO REPLACE THE GRADUATE PLUS. Students who are unable to borrow a Graduate PLUS are expected to cover the remainder of their educational expenses with their own resources or family assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to secure adequate funding to cover cost of attendance before beginning school.

  This loan will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and will be accessible by student, guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.

  Resource

  The Department of Education COD Applicant Services Department (800/557-7394) is available to assist Direct PLUS Loan borrowers and endorsers in a variety of ways including:

  Providing information about credit status and denied credit decision appeals. Providing information about obligations/responsibilities to endorsers of Direct PLUS Loans.

• Private Education Loan

Please note: Before loan funds are disbursed, first time Direct and/or Graduate PLUS Loan recipients at UCSF must complete applicable Master Promissory Notes (MPN) as well as a joint online student loan Entrance Counseling session at studentaid.gov. This should take about 20 minutes to complete. The Student Financial Services Office will automatically receive confirmation once you've completed these items.

Documentation

Please login at the UCSF Financial Aid Portal to view your missing documents after completing the online financial aid application.

Documentation may be required by your financial aid advisor. Please keep your mailing address and email address current with the Office of the Registrar (OAR) to receive communication from our office.

If you are required to complete the PROFILE, please submit your parents' Tax Return to the "IDOC" service using the instructions received via email after completing the PROFILE.

Follow Up

Student Aid Report (SAR)

After submitting the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the federal processor by email. Read the SAR carefully! If all the information is accurate and UCSF is included in the school list section, you have completed this part of the application process. If UCSF is not listed, we will not receive your application information. You must follow SAR instructions for submitting a school change or addition. If the data you reported is incorrect or failed any of the database matches, you must follow the instructions given to correct or resolve matters. The most common causes of database mismatches are incorrect names, birth dates and citizenship status. Do not submit the SAR to UCSF, but do ask for our assistance if you need help resolving any problems.

Communication from the Student Financial Services Office

Once you submit the Financial Aid Application, FAFSA, and PROFILE (if required), you will be contacted if additional information is needed.

We will inform you by email when your financial aid offer is available beginning in late March, depending on your curriculum and when your application was completed. Access to your offer letter will be online at the Financial Aid Portal, which will list your financial aid awards and explain how funds will be disbursed.

Appeal Procedure

Students who have unusual circumstances or are not satisfied with a financial aid decision may appeal to the Director of Student Financial Services or the Financial Aid Review Committee, which consists of the Student Financial Services Office professional staff. Contact us for additional information.