UCLA Extension Grants

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A grant is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. UCLA Extension offers grants to U.S. citizens and Green Card holders (see eligibility requirements below) who are not otherwise eligible for federal aid programs. Our grants are awarded based on your financial need (see below) and your ability to effectively convey your educational objective.

Basis of Financial Need: Gross income cannot exceed $1,800 per month for a household of one. This threshold increases 10 percent for each additional person in the household.

For example, household size: 1 = $1,800/month; 2 = $1,980/month; 3 = $2,340/month, etc.

Grant Eligibility Requirements

Students applying for UCLA Extension Grants are required to hold U.S. citizenship or a Green Card. 

However, the following categories of students are not eligible for a UCLA Extension Grant despite holding citizenship or a Green Card:

  • High school students
  • Candidates in certificate programs who qualify for federal, state, or private agency financial aid
  • Students who are receiving partial and/or full tuition funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program
  • Continuing students in degree programs at UCLA or other institutions of higher education
  • Students who are in default or in pre-claims status on federal student loans
  • Previously enrolled UCLA or UCLA Extension students who have academic and financial holds on their student account. Once holds have been cleared, students may reapply for a UCLA Extension Grant

Establishing Financial Need

As part of the UCLA Extension Grant application process, you will be required to submit:

  • A signed photocopy of your/your spouse's 2022 Federal Income Tax Return (IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, or 1040TEL) with all schedules and worksheets (or that of your parents if you were claimed as a dependent). Parental tax returns are required for applicants born after January 1, 2000. An IRS filing extension does not exempt an applicant from submitting the required financial documents.
  • A photocopy of your/your spouse's most current payroll check stubs dated within 30 days of the application deadline (or that of your parents if you were claimed as a dependent).
  • If you are currently unemployed and/or receiving public assistance, current documentation dated within the past 30 days verifying source of income and monthly entitlement is required.

Awards

UCLA Extension Grants are awarded in the form of fee waivers of no more than $400 per quarter. You will be responsible for paying the balance not covered by your fee waiver, as well as any tangible materials fees included in your tuition.

UCLA Extension Grants are not guaranteed from one quarter to the next and may not be retroactively applied to courses taken in previous quarters of enrollment. If interested in receiving future UCLA Extension Grants, you must reapply every quarter (you may apply for grants to cover up to eight courses; one course per quarter), and you must have earned a grade of “C” or better in each grant course taken.

Academic Requirements for Extension Grants

  • All courses are to be taken for credit and a letter grade. 
  • Even if you withdraw from a course, the course will count as one of the eight courses you are eligible to use toward a UCLA Extension Grant. 
  • You may only transfer to a course other than your grant-funded course if the course you selected is canceled or closed prior to processing your grant application. Contact the UCLA Extension Financial Aid Office for approval of course substitutions. For other assistance, contact the specific program department for your course of interest.

Course Eligibility
The following course categories are not eligible for a UCLA Extension Grant: 

  • UCLA regular session courses or concurrent enrollment
  • Courses numbered 700–900–999.99
  • XL 10 Statistics course
  • Coding Boot Camp classes/programs
  • Courses in which a student is already enrolled

 

How to Apply

Only complete packets will be accepted. Deadlines are firm. Late applications will not be considered. 

All applicants are notified of approval or denial within three weeks after the dates below.

2023-2024 Application Deadlines

Summer 2023: May 1–May 16, 2023 (4:30 p.m.)

Fall 2023: July 31–August 15, 2023 (4:30 p.m.)

Winter 2024: November 6–21, 2023 (4:30 p.m.)

Spring 2024: February 5–20, 2024 (4:30 p.m.)

 

Planning for Your Grant Award

Once you are awarded a UCLA Extension Grant, you are eligible to apply the award toward any course that meets the eligibility criteria outlined in Academic Requirements for UCLA Extension Grants. Because your enrollment will not be finalized until your tuition has been paid in full, we recommend you plan carefully.

  • Select your courses as soon as they become available for enrollment in your desired quarter. Be sure to budget for any excess dollar amount you will need to cover out-of-pocket if you exceed your $400 grant maximum. 
  • Course availability is not guaranteed, so enroll as soon as you receive notice that your UCLA Extension Grant has been approved. 

Important

UCLA Extension does not reimburse enrollment fees if you receive a UCLA Extension Grant but have already paid for the class out-of-pocket. Applicants who have not received a UCLA Extension Grant in the previous two quarters will be given priority.

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