Hi, everyone. I'm currently a junior and I've been eyeing UCSD. One thing unclear to me is the annual cost. How much do students usually pay per year after grants and scholarships? Is it manageable with a part-time job? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!
The annual cost of attending UCSD can differ quite significantly based on in-state vs out-of-state status and on financial aid packages.
For in-state residents, the total cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses is around $42,639 per year. For out-of-state residents, you'd be looking at around $76,839 per year. These are rough numbers and vary based on things like housing choices and meal plans.
Financial aid can play a big role in reducing these costs. UCSD provides grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans to eligible students. UCSD estimates that nearly 70% of their undergraduates receive some type of need-based financial aid, and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $25,700.
With that said, managing costs with a part-time job can be practical for some students. Many students work on campus or in nearby locations, but it's important to consider how much you'd be able to earn. Most part-time jobs will not cover all your expenses, so you wouldn't necessarily be able to solely rely on that income for tuition and living expenses.
Remember too that working a part-time job comes with time commitment and potential stress, so it's important to balance it with your studies and downtime.
Keep in mind that every situation is unique. The numbers I mentioned are estimates, and individual costs can vary. If you are considering UCSD and are concerned about the cost, I encourage you to use their net price calculator, which can provide a more personalized estimate of your expected cost of attendance after factoring in your family's financial situation and potential financial aid (https://fas.ucsd.edu/forms-and-resources/financial-aid-estimator/index.html).
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