UCI Financial aid - how generous?

Hi guys, I'm checking out UCI as one of my college options. I was just wondering if anyone knows how generous UCI is with their financial aid packages? Is it mostly need-based or do they offer merit-based scholarships too?

UCI, like most universities, has a combination of need-based and merit-based financial aid. Based on data from previous years, UCI does a pretty decent job of meeting the financial need of its students. Most students find that their need is met, with a somewhat heavier reliance on loans compared to grants in some cases.

Like all schools in the University of California system, UCI uses the FAFSA to determine your Student Aid Index (SAI) which replaces the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your SAI is used to calculate your demonstrated need, and UCI then puts together a financial aid package aiming to meet this need.

UCI also offers a variety of scholarships, some of which are need-based, and some of which are merit-based. The Regents' Scholarship, for instance, is the most prestigious scholarship award given to entering freshmen and is purely merit-based. Recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and exceptional promise.

However, do keep in mind that the best way to get a rough estimate of what you might be expected to pay is to use UCI's net price calculator on their financial aid website. It's a tool designed specifically to give you more insight into the true cost of attendance.

Finally, remember when you receive your financial aid offer, this is not always set in stone. You have the right to appeal your financial aid offer if you believe there are extenuating circumstances that were not considered during the initial award process. If your family's financial situation has dramatically changed since filing the FAFSA, I would strongly suggest reaching out to the financial aid office. They can advise you on the process for appealing your aid package.