UC San Diego · California

UC San Diego Merit Aid

UC San Diego awards non-need institutional merit to approximately 3% of freshmen, averaging $14,948. UCSD has the most generous Regents Scholarship in the UC system at $5,000/year ($20,000 total). The Triton Scholars program ($5,000-$20,000/year) is a rare UC merit program specifically targeting out-of-state students.

Verified Apr 2026Analyst cc-web

Merit tiers3See requirements

Get merit aid3%First-year students, CDS 2024-2025

Last verifiedApr 2026Analyst cc-web

Who this school is for

Families who should know that UCSD is the most merit-friendly UC campus. The $5,000/year Regents is the most generous cash honorarium in the UC system (UCLA is $2,000, Berkeley is $2,500). The Triton Scholars program specifically targets out-of-state students with $5,000-$20,000/year, making UCSD the rare UC where OOS merit aid is possible. California families benefit from Blue and Gold and Cal Grant as at other UCs.

Tuition / cost of attendance: Approximately $37,000 for 2025-2026. Estimated in-state COA approximately $37,000. Out-of-state COA approximately $69,574 (adds ~$34,200 NRST for the 2024 cohort). UCSD uses a Tuition Stability Plan with cohort-based pricing. Health insurance (SHIP) $2,961/year. 2026-2027 COA not yet published. Source

Institutional merit aid tiers

Every tier below is sourced to the school’s own published financial aid pages. Renewal terms apply only if the student maintains the stated GPA.

$5,000/year for four years ($20,000 total). The most generous Regents cash honorarium in the UC system.

Regents Scholarship

ApplicationPaid annually over four years. Requires 3.0 cumulative GPA and Satisfactory Academic Progress.

RequirementsAll UCSD applicants automatically considered via UC application. No separate application. Test scores NOT considered (test-free selection). Based on academic excellence in coursework and grades.

Benefits: first-choice college assignment, priority enrollment, research program in first quarter, Faculty Mentor Program in sophomore year. Test-free selection is notable — UCSD does not use SAT/ACT for Regents.

Source

Up to $5,000/year for four years ($20,000 total).

Chancellor's Scholarship

ApplicationRenewable for four years with Satisfactory Academic Progress.

RequirementsCalifornia residents only. Requires demonstrated financial need. Automatic consideration through UC application and FAFSA.

Need-based merit hybrid for CA residents. Benefits: guaranteed housing, priority enrollment (starting Winter quarter), study-abroad advising, mentorship, leadership development. Distinguished from Regents by requiring need and CA residency.

Source

$5,000-$20,000/year (up to four years).

Triton Scholars Program

ApplicationRenewable for up to four years. Specific renewal requirements not published.

RequirementsSpecifically for non-resident (out-of-state and international) students demonstrating academic excellence. Automatic consideration through UC application.

One of the few UC programs targeting OOS merit students. At $20,000/year, offsets roughly 60% of the $34,200 NRST. Families who dismiss all UCs as 'no merit for OOS' miss this.

Source

Outside scholarship stacking policy

Outside scholarships first reduce need-based loans and work-study. Only as a last resort do they reduce UC grants and institutional scholarships.

UC system policy: outside awards first reduce need-based loans and work-study. Only as a last resort are grants and institutional scholarships reduced. Federal regulations require total aid not to exceed the cost of attendance.

Source

Common Data Set snapshot

From the UC San Diego Common Data Set 2024-2025:

SAT mid-50%1330–151025th / 75th percentile

ACT mid-50%29–3425th / 75th percentile

Receive institutional merit3%First-year students

Average merit award$14,948Across recipients

Source: Common Data Set

Common mistakes at UC San Diego

Overlooking the Triton Scholars program for out-of-state students.
Most UC campuses offer nothing for nonresidents. UCSD's Triton Scholars ($5,000-$20,000/year for OOS students) is a rare exception. At $20,000/year, it offsets nearly 60% of the $34,200 NRST.
Confusing the Regents Scholarship with the Chancellor's Scholarship.
Regents is pure merit — $5,000/year with no need requirement, open to all applicants. Chancellor's requires financial need and CA residency. Both are up to $5,000/year but serve different populations.

UC San Diego merit aid FAQ

Does UC San Diego offer merit scholarships?
Yes — UCSD is the most merit-friendly UC campus. The Regents Scholarship ($5,000/year, largest cash honorarium in UCs) is automatic. The Triton Scholars ($5,000-$20,000/year) targets OOS students. The Chancellor's (up to $5,000/year) is for CA residents with need. About 3% of freshmen receive non-need merit averaging ~$14,948.
How does UCSD's Regents compare to UCLA's and Berkeley's?
UCSD's Regents pays $5,000/year ($20,000 total) — more than double UCLA's $2,000/year and double Berkeley's $2,500/year. All three offer priority enrollment and mentorship. UCSD's selection is explicitly test-free (no SAT/ACT).
Can out-of-state students get merit aid at UCSD?
Yes — through the Triton Scholars program ($5,000-$20,000/year). This specifically targets nonresident students with academic excellence. At $20,000/year, it offsets nearly 60% of the $34,200 NRST. All OOS applicants are automatically considered.