MeritPlaybook← All Colleges

UCLA · California

UCLA Merit Aid

A public research university where nearly all undergraduate aid is need-based. Only about 4% of freshmen receive non-need institutional merit, averaging $8,557. The Regents Scholarship ($2,000/year honorarium plus priority enrollment and mentorship) is awarded to approximately 75 entering freshmen. The UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers tuition for CA families under $100,000.

Verified Apr 2026Analyst cc-web
Merit tiers1See requirements
Get merit aid4%First-year students, CDS 2024-2025
Last verifiedApr 2026Analyst cc-web

Who this school is for

California families who need to understand that UCLA is primarily a need-based aid school. The Regents Scholarship is prestigious but only $2,000/year for students without financial need. Out-of-state families should know that UCLA offers essentially no merit aid to offset the $39,270 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. In-state families under $100,000 can attend essentially tuition-free through Blue and Gold.

Tuition / cost of attendance: Approximately $45,353 for 2025-2026. In-state on-campus COA: tuition and fees $16,706, food and housing $19,779, books and supplies $1,554, transportation $942, personal $2,685, health insurance $3,687. Out-of-state COA is approximately $84,623 (adds $39,270 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition). 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.

$2,000/year ($8,000 over four years). If the scholar has additional financial need, UCLA awards university grants to cover the remainder of demonstrated need.

Regents Scholarship

ApplicationRenewable for four years (12 academic quarters). Requires 3.0 cumulative GPA.

RequirementsInvitation-only. Approximately 75 entering freshmen per year. Top applicants identified from the admissions pool — no separate application. Candidates receive an email with a unique application code.

The primary value for non-need students is prestige and priority enrollment, not the $2,000/year cash award. For students with need, Regents status qualifies them for additional UCLA grants. Benefits include guaranteed housing, faculty mentorship, and priority enrollment.

Source

Outside scholarship stacking policy

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

UC system policy: when outside scholarships create an overaward, UCs follow a student-friendly displacement order. 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 from all sources not to exceed the cost of attendance.

Source

Common Data Set snapshot

From the UCLA Common Data Set 2024-2025:

SAT mid-50%1290–150025th / 75th percentile
ACT mid-50%29–3325th / 75th percentile
Receive institutional merit4%First-year students
Average merit award$8,557Across recipients

Source: Common Data Set

Lesser-known scholarships at UCLA

Named awards that don’t always surface on the main financial aid page. Each one has its own eligibility rules.

Amount$4,000-$20,000 per year (multi-year possible)EligibilityAdmitted students. Requires separate application with essay and interview after admission. Application opens late March through the UCLA Scholarship Application portal.

Often overlooked because the application opens after admission decisions. Families who celebrate admission and forget to check the scholarship portal in late March miss a real opportunity.

Source

Common mistakes at UCLA

  1. UCLA does not award automatic scholarships based on GPA or test scores. Nearly all undergraduate funding is need-based. Out-of-state families paying ~$85,000/year often assume merit will offset the $39,270 NRST. Only 4% of freshmen receive any non-need merit, averaging $8,557.

  2. Blue and Gold covers systemwide tuition and fees for CA families with income under $100,000. It is a need-based guarantee, not a merit award. It does not cover housing, food, books, or the NRST for out-of-state students.

UCLA merit aid FAQ

  • Does UCLA offer merit scholarships?

    Very limited. Only about 4% of freshmen receive non-need institutional merit, averaging $8,557. The Regents Scholarship ($2,000/year for non-need students) goes to ~75 freshmen by invitation. UCLA Alumni Scholarships ($4,000-$20,000) require a separate application. No automatic merit awards based on GPA or test scores exist.

  • What is the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan?

    Blue and Gold is a UC-wide need-based guarantee covering systemwide tuition and fees for California residents with family income under $100,000. Not a merit award. Does not cover housing (~$19,800), food, books, or the NRST ($39,270) for OOS students. Requires FAFSA filing.

  • Is UCLA worth the cost for out-of-state students?

    At ~$85,000/year with minimal merit available, OOS families should compare carefully. Only 4% of freshmen receive merit averaging ~$8,600. Selective privates with generous need-based aid may cost less net than UCLA OOS.