PICTURE YOUR FUTURE AT UCSC
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CONNECT WITH US THIS SPRING
Banana Slug Day: April 13, 2024
Connect with current students, faculty, staff, and other admitted students! We’ll have:
- Resource fair booths staffed with academic and student life representatives
- Talks from campus colleagues about housing and student success
- Community events: LatinX Breakfast, Black Excellence Breakfast
- Opportunities to connect with admissions and financial aid staff
- Campus tours and tons of Banana Slug spirit
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Celebrate with Us Near Your Home!
- Chicago, Illinois, March 17
- New York City, March 23
- Houston, Texas, March 23
- Washington, D.C. area, March 24
- Portland, Oregon area, March 28
- Oakland, California, March 30
- Boston, Massachusetts area, March 30
- Seattle, Washington area, March 30
- Beijing, China, March 30
- Shanghai, China, March 31
- Shenzhen, China, April 1
- Sacramento, California, April 2
- Inland Empire, California, April 4
- Mumbai, India, April 5
- New Delhi, India, April 6
- Los Angeles, California, April 6
- Boulder, Colorado, April 6
- Bengaluru, India, April 7
- Phoenix, Arizona, April 7
- Transfer: Northern California, May 2
- Transfer: Southern California, May 4
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Other Events for Admitted Students This Spring
- Admitted Student Tours: April 8-19, on campus
- Native American Student Panel: TBD
- Transfer Fridays: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 2024
- Transfer Banana Slug Day: May 11, 2024
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International Students Living in Mainland China: Join our WeComm Group!
We have lots of events planned for you and your family this spring. Join our WeComm Group to connect with offer holders and learn more!
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WHAT’S NEXT? BECOME A BANANA SLUG!
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SLUG ORIENTATION ONLINE COURSE*
* Participation is mandatory
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THE MANY BENEFITS OF ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE ORIENTATION COURSE:
- Earn one academic credit
- Connect with advising resources
- Understand how to choose and enroll in your first fall quarter classes
- Meet critical campus deadlines
- Get started with respectful engagement in your inclusive and multicultural community
- Transition smoothly into a research university
- Learn how to get involved and be engaged with the campus
- Find answers to your important questions
- Become familiar with vital campus resources
- Connect with your Orientation Leader
- Have you and your family become part of the UC Santa Cruz community
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The Orientation Course will help you understand the resources you need to succeed academically and socially, and it acquaints you with your rights, responsibilities, freedoms, and opportunities as a UC Santa Cruz student. Throughout the summer, you will receive email messages from your Orientation Leader Team that will include important deadline reminders, helpful information to make your transition easier, and invitations to virtual group sessions where you can connect with other new students. Remember to check your UC Santa Cruz email regularly.
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The International Student Orientation program is designed to help you get to know other students from around the globe, learn more about the campus, and ease your transition to UC Santa Cruz, with a particular focus on international student challenges and intercultural adjustment. During orientation, you will get to arrive early on campus to familiarize yourself with your new environment. You will also meet Global Engagement staff and others from across campus who are here to support your studies and success.
Attendance is required for all first-year international undergraduate students, including those who attended orientation during First Year Edge.
Be on the lookout for email and other information sent to you from International Programs, within the Division of Global Engagement.
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SUMMER EDGE (OPTIONAL)
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Don't wait for fall—start strong with our Early Start Program! Get an edge on your education by diving into summer classes in person or online this summer. Whether you're pursuing major courses, fulfilling General Education requirements, or exploring your passions, start your journey to academic success with Summer Edge. Most classes are taught at an accelerated 5-week pace in Session 1 or Session 2, and you’ll get full academic credit in half the time. Join the Edge Residential Experience and live on campus in Session 2. You’ll have dedicated Peer Mentor support while you take classes and learn how to navigate the campus. You’ll also have an opportunity to participate in exciting social and academic programs run exclusively for new Slugs.
Save $$! All high-need incoming students are guaranteed the Summer Edge Promise Award, which will cover 7 credits of Summer Tuition and the Campus Fee.
Earn credits towards your degree.
Early access to your student accounts and campus resources.
“I was motivated to take courses through Summer Edge because I wanted to get ahead and complete some of my major requirements. Additionally, I wanted to get accustomed to the campus. Living on campus added to my experience by helping me adjust to dorm life and allowing me to make meaningful connections.”
— Anita Taha (Summer Edge 2023)
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FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
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UC Santa Cruz distributes over $295 million a year to 77% of our undergraduates. Financial aid packages vary depending on family financial need and may include grants, loans, work-study, and/or scholarships.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Office Contact Information: finaid@ucsc.edu, (831) 459-2963
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Grant Programs
Grants are awarded to students demonstrating the greatest financial need and do not have to be repaid if all eligibility criteria are fulfilled. There is a broad range of federal, state, and institutional grants, all with differing eligibility criteria, and in most cases, meeting various documentation deadlines may impact eligibility. There is also a Summer University Grant for those students who choose to take Summer Session courses.
The UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan has been developed to ensure that California residents whose total family income is under $80,000 receive enough gift aid from all sources (e.g. grant, outside scholarships, fee waivers) to cover UC tuition and fees each year for four years of study for freshmen. Students must qualify for financial aid, have financial need, and meet application deadlines each year.
Scholarships
Most scholarships are based on merit and financial need. As a new student, you will be automatically considered for UC Santa Cruz scholarships. We strongly encourage you to apply for scholarships from other organizations.
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U.S. Students from Outside California
While you may apply and qualify for financial aid, you should plan to pay non-resident and systemwide tuition and fees (about $46,000 each year) in addition to other costs such as room and board, transportation, and books and supplies. A limited number of Undergraduate Dean's Awards are offered.
After submitting your FAFSA or Dream application, please check your MyUCSC portal and UC Santa Cruz email periodically to receive updates or any additional requirements. Answers to many of your potential questions can be found on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website and social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Familiarizing yourself with these resources will provide vital financial aid information as you are moving forward.
International Students
Undergraduate Dean’s Scholarships and Awards
This award recognizes the academic achievement of non-resident students. Entering non-resident students will be considered for the Undergraduate Dean's Scholarships and Awards ranging from $12,000 to $40,000 (split over four years for freshmen) or $6,000 to $20,000 (split over two years for transfers), depending upon several factors from your admissions application. The award is intended to offset non-resident tuition and will be discontinued if the student becomes a California resident. Students are automatically considered for the award—no separate application is required. You must maintain all of your conditions of admission, enroll full-time, and maintain satisfactory academic progress (includes credits earned and GPA requirement).
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does UC Santa Cruz offer scholarships for international students?
If admitted to UCSC, international students will be automatically considered for the Undergraduate Dean's Scholarships and Awards.
As an international student, do I qualify for financial aid?
To qualify for financial aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students on an F1 or J1 visa do not qualify for financial aid outside of the Undergraduate Dean’s Scholarships and Awards.
How do I know if I must pay resident or non-resident tuition as an international student?
Please refer to the residency requirements for tuition purposes page on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
Can I get a job on campus to help pay for my expenses?
Yes—each year about 4,000 students (both international and U.S. citizens) work in various positions on campus. Students may work up to 20 hours per week during regular school terms and full-time during school breaks such as summer vacation. International students who are employed in on-campus jobs can help pay their costs for studying and living at UCSC. Money earned through on-campus jobs should not be included in the financial certificate for first-year undergraduates.
THE NEXT STEP: BECOME A BANANA SLUG!
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DID YOU ALREADY ACCEPT YOUR OFFER? THIS IS HOW YOU WILL KNOW:
Go to my.ucsc.edu to accept your offer and become a Banana Slug!
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WHY I SAID "YES!" Aravind (First-Year)
WHY I SAID "YES!" Lia (Transfer)
FAVORITE UCSC MEMORIES What Will Yours Be?
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SHARE YOUR SUCCESS! TAKE A PHOTO OF YOURSELF, TAG IT WITH #YES2UCSC, AND SHARE IT!
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