There are many factors that affect a student's eligibility. We encourage everyone to apply no matter what your income may be.

Financial aid is characterized as either need based or non-need based. Our office determines if a student qualifies for aid that is based on need, i.e. the expected family contribution (student and/or parent contribution) is less than the cost of attendance at UCSB (estimated to be $25,067 in 2007-2008 for a California resident living in a UCSB residence hall).

The qualification process is lengthy. In order to determine if someone is eligible, they need to apply.

You should never assume that you do not qualify for financial aid (unless, of course, you are independently wealthy). While you may not qualify for need-based financial aid, much aid at the doctoral level is based on merit. There are numerous fellowships, scholarships, and grants, both internally (through the particular program and university) and externally (through independent foundations, organizations, and even individuals).

Every family's finances vary. There is no preset income figure that qualifies a family for aid. There are numerous factors considered - family size, assets, debt, number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges, as well as caring for an elderly parent. It may be in your best interest to apply for financial aid (at least once) to find out your financial aid eligibility.

You are not eligible for a PELL grant, FSEOG, or CSG. But you may be eligible for Work Study. You may also be eligible to apply for a Federal Stafford student loan. q Have earned a high school diploma, passed the General Educational Development (GED) test, or obtained a passing score on an independently administered Ability to Benefit test approved by the U.S. Department of Education. (At CCA, this is the assessment test given in the CCA Testing Center). q All male citizens of the U.S.

No, there is no income cut-off for financial aid. While income is a factor when determining eligibility for need-based aid, there are other factors also taken into account, such as household size, number in college, and the age of the oldest parent. We strongly recommend that all students file for aid in order for their eligibility to be evaluated using all of the necessary information.

Most student's are eligible for at least an Unsubsidized Loan, even if their parents’ income is too high to qualify for a Pell Grant, or other need-based aid. The following are criteria to be eligible for Federal Student Aid:

Yes. Eligible non citizens may also qualify for financial aid. Generally, you are an eligible non citizen if you have: an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with designations: “Refuge”, “Asylum”, “Parole” or “Cuban-Haitian Entrant”. If you are not an eligible non citizen, you are not eligible for federal student aid, however, you may qualify for state or college student aid. Please contact your financial aid office for more information.

Summer aid is mainly limited to students who have remaining federal Pell Grant eligibility from the current academic year because of less than full-time enrollment during the previous fall and spring terms. You can also apply for a part-time scholarship. These are available on a limited basis. Financial aid is based on the principle that students and their parents have the primary responsibility for paying for their postsecondary education.

Upon being accepted by Admissions and paying a tuition deposit, a financial aid packet, (including online FAFSA information) is mailed out to the student along with "time lines" to assist you in planning.