• are U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and other eligible noncitizens
• have a valid Social Security number
• are enrolled at least half-time
• are in an undergraduate or graduate program that leads to a degree or certificate
• if male, are registered with the Selective Service
• are not in default on a federal educational loan and who do not owe a refund on a federal grant
• are making satisfactory academic progress
• demonstrate financial need (except for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students PLUS Loan and some scholarship programs

• International students who are in the country temporarily
• Other categories of non-immigrant students
• Students on Limited or Special Status
• Graduate students with no degree objective
• An exception is available for students admitted on Limited Status who are required to take prerequisite coursework prior to full admission into the Graduate Division. If you fall into this category, please submit documentation from the Graduate Admissions Office confirming that you are taking prerequisite coursework for graduate admission.
• Students who take classes through University Extension only
• Undergraduate students who have been enrolled for the equivalent of 18 quarters or longer

Students studying for a second baccalaureate degree are eligible for one or two years (depending on the terms of their admission) of limited funding from loan programs only. Students who have been enrolled for the equivalent of 16 quarters or longer will lose eligibility for UCR Grant.

Students who do not meet the eligibility criteria above may qualify for alternative loan programs and some scholarships.

Calculating your financial need

Approximately one to three weeks after you submit your FAFSA, UCR will receive your application information electronically from the federal processor. Respond promptly to any requests for supplemental information or documents. Once your file is complete, UCR will review all of the information provided to determine your financial eligibility and the types of aid for which you qualify.

Your eligibility for financial aid is the difference between the established UCR expenses for the academic year and your expected family contribution (EFC). Your EFC is the number used in determining your eligibility to receive financial aid funds.

Following is the basic formula for determining eligibility:

The amount of your award depends on several factors, including the following:

• Your financial need
• Your GPA (for Cal Grant and some scholarship programs)
• Your family's total income and assets
• When your FAFSA was filed (See Important Dates)
• When your financial aid application file was completed with the UCR Financial Aid Office (See Important Dates)
• Other resources, such as scholarships, VA benefits, graduate financial assistance, fee waivers, etc., that you are receiving

If you receive additional funding from any other sources after you are awarded, you must report the source and amount of each award to the Financial Aid Office. This information may be provided in writing or reported on the financial aid review website on GROWL. Records from the Graduate Division and outside agencies are matched to financial aid records to account for other assistance that you have received. Be sure to also inform us if there will be changes in your housing plans or enrollment status. UCR will send you notification of a revised award if any adjustment is needed based on changes in your financial need or information we receive about other sources of funding for which you qualify.

Appeals for special circumstances

A special procedure is in place to accommodate applicants who will have a reduction in family income of at least $1000 between the year for which income is reported on the FAFSA and the following calendar year. Parents or students may request re-evaluation of eligibility using projected year income by completing a Change of Income Form, available from the Financial Aid Office. Applicants must explain the nature of the income change between the two years, and indicate whether the reduction of income is for the student, the student’s spouse, the student’s father, or the student’s mother.

The Change of Income Form requests projected calendar year income from the following sources:

• Income from earnings, wages, tips, business income, etc.
• Pension or retirement income (identified as taxed or untaxed)
• Other taxed income (unemployment compensation, rental income, interest or dividend income, taxable Social Security benefits, early withdrawal of retirement funds, severance pay, etc.)
• Other untaxed income (Social Security benefits, Welfare benefits/TANF, child support, military or clergy housing allowance, payments to 401(k) or 403(b) pensions, disability income, etc.)

Applicants may be requested to submit a letter of termination from the employer and/or copy of the last payroll check stub, verification of unemployment benefits, a copy of the student’s or parents’ prior year federal income tax return, and verification of any prior year untaxed income.

Students or parents requesting a recalculation of eligibility based on a lost of income should return the Change of Income Form by August 1st. Once this form has been approved, the parent or student will be sent an Agreement to Use Estimated Income contract to sign. This agreement acknowledges your responsibilities and identifies the conditions of the revised award. A revised financial aid offer that reflects the adjustment in the student’s financial aid eligibility will be available to accept on GROWL after the signed agreement has been received.

It is UCR policy to review projected year income cases after the tax return has been filed for the calendar year in which the projected income was used. Parents or students are required to submit a copy of their tax return during the month of March. A hold will be placed on spring aid disbursements until the applicable tax return has been submitted, projected data has been compared to actual data, and any recalculations performed.

The student’s financial aid award may be revised on the basis of actual family income received, and spring aid disbursements adjusted or cancelled. It is important that your estimates be as accurate as possible. Grossly inaccurate estimates will result in a bill for financial aid already disbursed in prior quarters. Therefore, if you would like to change the amount of your original estimate, please indicate the amended amount on the Agreement to Use Estimated Income contract before returning it to the Financial Aid Office.

Further information regarding appeals for special circumstances may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or by scheduling an appointment to speak with a counselor.