Paying for College

Student Finances Made Easier

Money isn't the most important thing in your life. But, being a good money manager and understanding your finances can make the rest of your life go a lot more smoothly. If you’re new to managing your own money, this is your chance to start off strong. If you’ve been paying bills and balancing your budget for years, we've got the tools to help you successfully add student finances into the mix.

Tuition and Fees

It’s smart to want to know what you’re paying for, whether it’s a pair of shoes or your college education. When you’re informed about your university tuition and fees, you can do a good job managing your finances and avoid money problems down the road.

Billing and Payments

Financial Aid

Every year that you're a you’re a student you need to make sure you understand how to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You complete and submit your FAFSA in the winter or spring for the following fall semester and it should take you about a half an hour to complete. After submitting your FAFSA, you may get a message asking for more documentation, like verification and appeals forms. You can also see if additional documents are needed by checking your to-do list in your UCDAccess​ student portal

Scholarships

ScholarLynx+ is your hub for scholarships with one search portal for both university and private scholarships.

You can find out if a scholarship has been awarded yet in ScholarLynx. Check your email for notifications of scholarships you’ve received. If you get a scholarship from a private donor, give them the address of the scholarship office, so they can mail a check to the university.

Veteran and Military Benefits

Military veterans, active duty, reservists, and other military-connected students are eligible for education benefits. As part of your compensation, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will fund two years of college or vocational education for you and your dependents through the GI Bill. There are many different VA education benefit programs—they’re called “chapters.”

Common VA Education Benefit Chapters

Financial Resources