Financial Aid Eligibility and FAQs

For Federal Financial Aid: Direct Loans & Pell Grants

PLEASE NOTE

Due to the evolving situation with COVID-19, all UCLA Extension buildings are closed until further notice. Walk-in services are not currently available at the Financial Aid Office. All supporting information and documents should be submitted via email to finaid@uclaextension.edu.

The Financial Aid Office may be reached via phone and email during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PT).

Federal Direct Loans

Federal Directs Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized, must be repaid with interest.

The Subsidized Federal Direct Loan is based on financial need determined by a federal formula. A loan is subsidized when the interest is paid by the government until six months after you leave school or drop below half-time status.

The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is not based on financial need and is available to you regardless of income. Interest accrues from the date of the loan disbursement. In order to be considered for the Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, you must apply for the Subsidized Federal Direct Loan.

Approved UCLA Extension certificate programs

Pre-Medical and General Science Studies
Undergraduate Certificate; Direct Loan, both subsidized and unsubsidized

Landscape Architecture
Graduate Certificate; Direct Loan, unsubsidized only

Paralegal Training Program
Graduate Certificate; Direct Loan, unsubsidized only

UCLA Post-Baccalaureate Program in Classics
Graduate Certificate; Direct Loan, unsubsidized only

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you:

Have earned a high school diploma or GED*
Are a U.S. or eligible non-citizen (must be documented)
Are enrolled in one of the approved UCLA Extension programs listed above
Have not defaulted on any educational loan or do not owe a refund on any state or federal student aid grant
Have registered with the Selective Service, if required
Are enrolled in at least six units of an undergraduate or four units of a graduate program per quarter to maintain at least a half-time student status each quarter, as follows:

Enrollment Status Undergraduate
Units Needed Graduate
Units Needed
Full-time student
Half-time student 12
6-8 8
4-5

*If you have not completed this requirement, call your local high school for information regarding GED completion and testing schedule.

How to Apply

Please download the Federal Financial Aid Guide & Application Packet (pdf).

If enrolling in the Paralegal Training Program, download additional information (pdf).

Federal Financial Aid Guide & Application Packet

Federal Pell Grants

Grants are need-based and do not have to be repaid.

The Pathway Learning and Life Skills program is the only UCLA Extension program that qualifies for a Pell Grant.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this need-based grant is determined by the federal government according to a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Education and approved annually by Congress. It is awarded to students who are enrolled in a qualified program and have not earned a bachelor’s degree. When you file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are automatically considered for a Pell Grant. Awards may range from $400 to $6,195 per year. The Pell Grant award is adjusted according to your enrollment status.

In order to receive Federal Student Aid, students must:

Have a documented intellectual disability as defined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008
Be enrolled in the program full time (at least 12 unit equivalents per quarter)
Maintain passing grades (“C” or better or Pass) in all enrolled classes
Complete the program in six quarters

Download application instructions for Pathway

Note: Students enrolling in the Pathway Program are NOT eligible to apply for the Federal Direct Loan program and therefore should NOT complete the master promissory note (MPN) and/or supplemental certification form.

Important Notice

Enrollment Conditions

To meet requirements, you must be enrolled in your eligible program for the entire quarter in which you are receiving aid, and you must be enrolled in required courses for your program.

If you were to completely withdraw and/or drop below half-time enrollment, you may no longer be eligible for the full amount of federal aid that you were originally scheduled to receive. Our Financial Aid team will use the date of your withdrawal to calculate how much of your financial aid you “earned” from the beginning of the quarter until the date you dropped or were cancelled from your course(s).

If you received more financial aid funds than you were entitled to, you will be required to repay to UCLA all federal financial aid funds received for the quarter in which you withdrew or from which your enrollment was cancelled. Please note that withdrawing may affect your eligibility to receive financial aid in subsequent quarters/terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's: Eligibility & How to Apply

What paperwork do I need to complete in order to apply?

See page 8-9 of the Federal Financial Aid Guide & Application Packet

Do I apply as a graduate student if I already have a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree?

Status is defined by the certificate.

If you are applying for the Paralegal Training Program (graduate track), Landscape Architecture, or the Post-Baccalaureate Program in Classics, you apply as a graduate student.

If you are applying for the Pre-Medical and General Science, or Paralegal Training (undergraduate track) Programs, apply as an undergraduate student even if you already have an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree.

Please note that in order to enroll in a certificate program, students must meet certificate prerequisite(s).

What is a professional student?

A professional student is someone doing a post-graduate program. This category does not apply to UCLA Extension students or programs. Do not check this category on any of your forms.

Do I need to list all schools on Form 591, even if I attended but never completed?

Yes, you must list all schools at which you have registered, even if you never attended the classes, or attended and did not complete classes, or are currently attending.

If I am attending two colleges at the same time, can I receive financial aid from both colleges?

No. You may only receive federal aid from one institution at a time. However, private loans may be available to meet any gap in your educational financing needs.

I understand that if I am 24 or older I am considered independent, but what if I am under 24 and I am independent?

You need to contact the Financial Aid Office to request the "Independent Appeal Form."

How long does it take to be approved for financial aid?

It can take up to four months.

Do international students qualify for federal financial aid?

No.

I only want to apply for the Pell Grant. Do I have to complete the FAFSA?

Yes. Since financial need is a criterion, you must complete a FAFSA.

Pell Grants are only applicable to the Pathway program.

FAQ's: Student Aid Report (SAR)

Do I need to send my SAR to the UCLA Extension Financial Aid Office?

Yes. We do not receive an electronic report of your SAR.

I received my SAR. Do I need to review it?

Yes. You must review the entire document. If there are any errors, follow the directions on the first page. If you are not sure what to do, call the UCLA Extension Financial Aid Office at (800) 825-9711 or email finaid@uclaextension.edu.

Will UCLA Extension electronically receive all corrections I have made on my SAR?

No. UCLA Extension does not receive anything electronically. You must wait to receive a new SAR.

I went to another college and UCLA is not listed under the school section on my SAR. What should I do?

You need to call (800) 433-3243 and have the federal processor add UCLA’s name and school code 001315 to your SAR. Request that a new SAR be emailed to you.

FAQ's: Once you've applied

Once I am accepted for financial aid, how long is it good for?

No, you must reapply for Financial Aid every year. A year is July 1 through June 30.

To meet the deadlines, you should reapply by early spring of each year.

Do I need to pay the school anything before receiving my financial aid?

Yes, UCLA Extension does not defer fees. You must pay your certificate candidacy fee and course fees at the time of registration.

Candidacy fees can be found on your certificate’s webpage and paid by clicking 'Apply Now.'

How is the amount of money I will receive determined and who determines it?

The amount is determined by a very complex formula set by the U.S. Department of Education.

Can I apply for an Extension Grant if I am receiving federal financial aid?

No.

Do concurrent courses qualify for federal financial aid?

No.

How and when do I enroll in UCLA Extension courses?

You may enroll in classes approximately six weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter. To enroll in classes via our website, a valid major credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, JCB, Visa, or debit card) is required. In order for your financial aid check to be released, you must be enrolled in a minimum of six units in an eligible undergraduate and/or four units in an eligible graduate certificate.

Note: Only courses that are a part of your certificate curriculum are eligible for funding.

Special note to students enrolling in the Pre-Medical and General Science Certificate: Courses numbered in the 400, 700-900 series, as well XLC concurrent and online courses are not eligible for funding.

What if I drop or withdraw from my course or program?

How can I view my Financial Aid history?

You can use the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to view information on any federal student aid you have received, including loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, loan status, and disbursements. You can also look up your loan servicer using NSLDS.

You can access NSLDS by visiting www.nslds.ed.gov. You will need to provide your Social Security number (SSN), the first two letters of your last name, your date of birth, and your FSA ID in order to use the site.

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student aid. It receives data from schools, agencies that guaranty loans, the Direct Loan program, and other U.S. Department of Education programs. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants that are tracked through their entire cycle; from aid approval through closure.

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