Cost
You Can Afford a UC Degree!
Thanks to available benefits, scholarships, and grants, most student veterans pay little or nothing out of pocket to attend UC Riverside. One reason is because our Financial Aid office is dedicated to working with you, the VA, and UCR to help make sure you receive all the benefits for which you’re eligible.
Beyond military benefits, our specialists also provide information on available scholarships and loans and can even help you apply.
Financial Aid can even help you strengthen your financial future by providing tools and resources designed to help you make informed choices for managing money, understanding credit, loans, saving, and investing.
VA Application Deadlines:
- To access benefits for summer 2021, submit all forms by June 15, 2021.
- To access benefits for 2021–22 academic year, submit all forms by Aug. 1, 2021.
Start the Financial Aid Process — It’s Easy!
Our Financial Aid counselors have military-specific knowledge and experience to clearly explain and help you apply for GI Bill Benefits plus a variety of grants and scholarships. Complete the financial aid application and follow the VA benefits certification steps to have a funding package customized to your eligibility.
86%
of UCR undergraduate students who applied received some form of financial aid.*
97%
of financial aid recipients received gift-aid (grants and scholarships).*
300
veteran and military-affiliated students currently attend UCR.
*Source: Financial Aid Office, 2020–21
Transfer Dates & Deadlines
July 1–31
Submit your UC application for winter admissions. (Classes begin January of the following year.)
Oct. 1
Access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and grade point average (GPA) form to apply for financial aid. (UCR school code: 001316)
Nov. 1–30
Submit your UC application for fall admissions. (Classes begin September of the following year.)
Jan. 1
Access the California Dream Act Application (DREAM) at dream.csac.ca.gov. (UCR school code: 001316)
March 2
Deadline to submit your for FAFSA or DREAM application and verify that a certified GPA was submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by your community college.
Contact Your UCR Financial Aid Counselor
Financial Aid
VA School Certifying Official
(951) 827-6162
vasco@ucr.edu
Financial Aid FAQ
-
How do I obtain military tuition assistance?
Military service members must obtain authorization for tuition assistance through their branch of service. Contact your education services officer for further information.
- How do I apply for the GI Bill and related benefits?
-
How do I apply for VA Vocational Rehab & Employment (Chapter 31) benefits?
If you already have a VA disability rating:
- Sign in to your eBenefits account.
- Select Apply.
- Click Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits.
- Select the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefit you’re applying for.
- If you’re eligible, the VA invite you to an orientation session at your nearest VA regional benefit office.
If you haven’t yet received a service-connected disability rating:
- Fill out VA Vocational Rehabilitation - Getting Ahead After You Get Out (VA Form 28-0588). Download VA Form 28-0588
- After you apply, the VA will schedule a meeting for you with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to find out if you have an employment handicap and if you’re eligible for VR&E benefits and services.
-
Once I’m a student here, am I eligible for a deferred payment plan fee exemption?
As a student veteran or servicemember, you may be eligible for exemption from the Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) $25 processing fee and the first late fee ($50) each quarter. Through DPP, you can pay your tuition and fees in three installments each quarter with no interest. Waiver of the application fee and first late fee will happen automatically if you were certified for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits through Financial Aid. For questions, please contact vasco@ucr.edu
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Who can apply for the California College Fee Waiver?
Under the California Education Code, dependents of veterans whose death or disability was service-connected may be eligible for exemption from many university fees.
Contact your local county veterans service office to obtain applications, information, and to apply for benefits under this program. The Riverside County veterans’ services office is located at 4360 Orange St., Riverside California, 92501 and can be reached at (951) 276-3060. Always try to apply for these benefits prior to attending school. Benefits are awarded on an academic-year basis and students are required to reapply each year for ongoing benefits.
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Do I qualify for Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)?
You may qualify for VA educational benefits under Chapter 35 if your parent or spouse died or is permanently and totally disabled as a result of his or her military service. Call the VA's toll-free number 1 (888) 442-4551 to determine if you are eligible for assistance. Be sure to have your parent's or spouse's VA file number available when you call.
