UC Davis Undergraduate Scholarships: Eligibility and Requirements

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), a public teaching and research university, offers a multitude of scholarship opportunities to its undergraduate students. These scholarships, totaling millions of dollars, are designed to support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. This article delves into the eligibility requirements, application process, and other essential details regarding UC Davis undergraduate scholarships.

Scholarship Overview

UC Davis provides over $4 million in scholarships each year, with awards ranging from $100 to $14,000 per academic year. These scholarships are primarily merit-based, recognizing academic excellence and future promise. However, some scholarships also consider financial need, participation in extracurricular activities, specific college or major, career interests, geographic origin, high school or community college attended, parentage, perseverance, and many other personal characteristics.

General Eligibility Criteria

All undergraduate students, including national, international, undocumented, and AB540 students, are eligible to apply for scholarships, provided they maintain a minimum 3.25 UC cumulative GPA. While most UC Davis scholarships do not require demonstration of financial need, a small number of merit scholarships do consider it. Financial need is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). It is recommended that students apply for financial aid to maximize their educational funding options.

Application Process

The application process differs for prospective/entering students and continuing undergraduates.

Entering Students

Incoming first-year and transfer students are automatically considered for university scholarships when they submit their UC Application for Admission and Scholarships. No additional information is needed unless specifically requested. A minimum 3.25 GPA is required for all applicants for UC Davis-based scholarships.

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Continuing Students

Continuing students must complete the Undergraduate Scholarship Application online, which becomes available in the fall. As an example, students applying for the 2026-27 scholarship cycle would need to submit their application and at least one letter of recommendation by January 7, 2026.

Letters of Recommendation

For continuing students, the Undergraduate Scholarship Application requires at least one letter of recommendation. Applicants have the option to request two letters (a primary and a secondary) to increase the chances of receiving a letter by the application deadline. Letters from a secondary recommender will only be considered if a letter from the primary recommender is not received. The letter can come from any individual who knows the applicant well and can speak to their academics, work experience, or other qualities. Acceptable recommenders include professors, teachers, teaching assistants from high school or community college, employers, coaches, and community leaders. Letters from family members, relatives, or friends are not accepted. The letter of recommendation is submitted online by the recommender.

Awarding Procedures and Timeline

Continuing students apply for scholarships in the fall of the academic year prior to the awarding year. For example, recipients would need to have applied in the fall of the year prior to be considered. Applications are reviewed and scored in the winter, and notices are sent out in the spring and throughout the summer.

All UC Davis and outside agency/private scholarships are posted to the recipient’s UC Davis student account. When credited, the scholarship will first cover any unmet need, then replace the student’s self-help expectation, followed by loans and work-Study. Grants and other gift aid will be reduced last, if necessary.

Key Dates and Actions

Upon admission notification: Log in to MyAwards to review your aid package. Once you submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), you can begin accepting your offered aid and completing requirements.
March through September: Financial Aid and Scholarships continues to prepare, post, and adjust financial aid offers based on any additional information or resources.
April: Undergraduate and Prestigious Scholarships begins awarding scholarships to recipients who are not required to show financial need. Most initial scholarships to new students are announced before May 1. The remaining recognition awards will continue to be announced through August.
June-July: Check the status of your financial aid at UC Davis online at MyAwards to be sure you have completed all requirements by the June 15 deadline for entering first-year students, and the July 16 deadline for entering transfer students. If you are accepting loans, you can begin satisfying your requirements after July 1. Be prepared to meet your expected student and self-help contribution amount listed in MyAwards through outside scholarships, employment, and savings throughout the summer.
August: Cal Grants for entering first-year students are initially posted as estimates and will be updated in August once the amounts are confirmed with the California Student Aid Commission, or CSAC. Sign up at WebGrants 4 Students to track the status of your Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, or Chafee Grant. View the status under your grant panels and cards.
Late August: Billing statements are available online at MyBill. Authorized aid will show for students who have accepted aid and completed their requirements. Any financial aid funds remaining after all university charges have been paid will be disbursed to the student on the first day of instruction. Students can sign up for Direct Deposit online to have their financial aid refunds deposited directly into their bank accounts. Students with a balance owed will need to make sure they arrange for payment by the September 15 deadline. If necessary, you can consider signing up for the Deferred Payment Plan through Student Accounting.
September: Welcome to UC Davis! Be sure to enroll in at least 12 units (waitlisted classes do not count) to ensure complete financial aid authorization and disbursement. Confirm that your account in MyBill is paid in full by September 15 to avoid being dropped from your classes and assessed a late fee penalty. For eligible students, the Orientation Grant will be offered to offset orientation fees. Check Important Dates regularly to ensure you meet any upcoming deadlines.
October - March: Beginning in October, students can apply for financial aid by completing the annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, or the California Dream Act Application, the CADAA. For full financial aid consideration, students must submit their financial aid application by the priority filing deadline each year. Students who file after the priority filing deadline may jeopardize their eligibility for university or state grant funding. This information is subject to change. Please check back often for updates. For more information, visit Scholarships.

Work-Study Programs

UC Davis offers two types of work-study programs for undergraduate students: Federal Work-Study and institutional work-study. Both programs offer on-campus jobs and approved off-campus jobs. Work-study allows a student to earn financial aid through employment. Instead of a financial aid payment, the student's work-study aid is paid in the form of a payroll check for time/hours worked. All job listings are available online at Handshake.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is based on need and available for students eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility requirements include:

Being enrolled, or accepted for enrollment at UC Davis, and be in regular attendance in an undergraduate program
Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in coursework
Not owing a refund on a federal or state educational grant
Not being in default on a state or federal educational loan
Having a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $25,000 or less
Having an eligibility greater than or equal to $1,000

Work-study funds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students can obtain a Work-Study Eligibility Certificate (with a 30-day expiration date) through MyAwards.

Institutional Work-Study

Institutional work-study is offered based on need and is available to undergraduate students, including AB540 students who are eligible to work. For AB540 students who are also undocumented, need is determined by the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Eligibility requirements include:

Being an international or AB540 student who is eligible to work
CADAA applicants must also hold a valid work authorization status in the United States (e.g., certain individuals with pending asylum cases, Temporary Protected Status recipients)
Being enrolled, or accepted for enrollment at UC Davis, and be in regular attendance in an undergraduate program
Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in coursework
Not owing a refund on a state educational grant
Not being in default on a state educational loan
Having a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $25,000 or less
Having an eligibility greater than or equal to $1,000

Work-study funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible students can obtain a Work-Study Eligibility Certificate (with a 30-day expiration date) through MyAwards. Work-Study Eligibility Certificates become available July 1.

Community Service Work-Study

Students employed through the work-study program have the opportunity to work in positions that are designated by UC Davis as community service positions. Community service employers provide services designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, particularly low-income individuals. Most of these positions will be for employers who are located off-campus. UC Davis encourages its students to seek employment with organizations that provide community services.

Specific Scholarship Examples

UC Davis offers a wide array of scholarships with specific criteria. Here are a few examples:

2nd Lieutenant Warren R.: Restricted to entering freshmen students of American citizenship pursuing an agricultural major with demonstrated financial need.
Albert W.: Supports continuing undergraduate students of junior or senior standing with a declared major in either Animal Science or Animal Science and Management and an interest in companion animals.
Anita M. Oberbauer and James L.: This award is restricted to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need in the College of Biological Sciences studying Physiology (NPB).
Barbara D.: This scholarship is restricted to a child or grandchild of Antioch CA classroom teacher, regardless of the applicant or if the relative is still employed, retired or deceased. Undergraduate in senior standing who plans to pursue a graduate degree in preparation for a career in medicine or medical research. First preference is for student athletes (minimum two year participation in sport).
The Beeghly-Merritt Scholarship: Restricted to students from Davis or Woodland high schools who are accepted at UC Davis and plan to enroll within three years after the year of high school graduation. To be considered, students must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and have had significant employment during their high school tenure which demonstrated independence and self-reliance.
Ben A.: citizens and who are studying range management, plant science or international agricultural development with specialization in agronomy. A special committee from the Agronomy and Range Science Department has recommended you for this scholarship.
Ben L.: Restricted to students majoring in Biological Systems Engineering who are from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona or Utah.
Bert A.: Supports students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences studying agriculture.
Blanche L.: Recipients of this award are recommended by the University Farm Circle Scholarship Committee. The award is restricted to undergraduate students who have displayed scholarship, leadership, service and participation in extracurricular who demonstrated financial need. Citizens and are their family's first generation to attend a four-year college. Preference is given to students from Northern California.
Brian E.: Restricted to students in the College of Letters and Science who have declared German as their major or minor.
Carl L.: Awarded based on recommendation from the Department of Animal Science.
Cecilia E.: Restricted to students who have made upper division standing and are pursuing careers that require at least one additional year of graduate school. Students must demonstrate financial need.
Charles A. and Violet E.: Restricted to junior and senior year agriculture students with a demonstrated potential and passion for production agriculture.
Charles P.: Restricted to financially needy students who demonstrate the desire and ability to engage in the practice of democracy in their neighborhoods, cities and states.
Clare E.: Restricted to an undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics with demonstrated financial need.
Constant M. and Tempest B.: Restricted to students in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences majoring in sustainable agriculture with a preference for students who have demonstrated financial need and are from Marin County.
Daniel B.: Restricted to high achieving undergraduate students in Agricultural Economics-Managerial Economics.
David D.: Restricted to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need, in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences. The students must be majoring in one of the following programs: Biotechnology, Entomology, Plant Sciences, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, or Viticulture and Enology.
David L.: Restricted to California Native American students with financial need. Students are required to show documentation verifying tribal membership.
Dolores M.: Restricted to science majors in the College of Letters & Science and students in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences with a demonstrated interest in environmental/atmospheric studies.
Dr. Richard Noble and Dr. Susan A.: Restricted to students enrolled in, or accepted to, the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science in the College of Engineering, majoring in Chemical Engineering with a demonstrative commitment to community service.
Elizabeth G.: Supports College of Engineering students.
Elizabeth P.: Awarded to students from the state of California with first preference to students from Placer County.
Ellen C.: Restricted to incoming freshmen who are graduates of Calistoga High School or any other Napa or Sonoma County high school.
Elmer H.: Restricted to entering freshman in the field of animal science.
Eugene S.: Restricted to incoming freshman undergraduates who demonstrates financial need and have a declared major in electrical engineering. The student must be a California resident. Preference for students from either the San Joaquin County or Santa Clara County.
Evelyn K.: Restricted to upper-division students who are majoring in geology.
Frank G.: Restricted to incoming or continuing undergraduates with no residency requirements.
Fred S.: Restricted to students in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences studying agriculture and ranching, with demonstrated financial need.
Gary E. Hackney and Natalie A.: Restricted to students pursuing an academic curriculum related to civil infrastructure who have an interest in educating youth (in particular, K-12 age, when possible) about infrastructure issues and needs, in the hope of raising their level of interest in the field of civil and environmental engineering.
George H.: Restricted to students who are interested in production agriculture or agronomy and/or who are interested in a career in farming or agribusiness.
George W.: Restricted to students with a demonstrated interest in Agriculture. This scholarship is not college specific.
Glen R. and Tracy L.: Supports students majoring in cultural studies, fine arts, humanities or social sciences within the College of Letters and Sciences who graduated from a high school in California. Recipients must have demonstrated financial need.
Gregory A.: Restricted to students demonstrating financial need who are graduates of the Hayward Unified School District.
H. J.: Restricted to students in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who have financial need.
Harold W.: Restricted to students in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences whose chosen field of study is plant sciences.
Henry A.: Restricted to students enrolled in majors within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Once awarded, it will be renewed for three years as long as the student meets academic standards and maintains enrollment requirements. Jastro Recruitment Scholars are required to enroll full-time (at least 12 units per quarter) and complete no less than 39 units each year.
Henry W.: Awarded to needy students who are graduates of high schools in Del Norte County.
Howard B.: Supports students with demonstrated financial need who are interested in working to build communities and address poverty in California.
J. M.: Supports students who have graduated from Central Valley High School.
Jack T.: Restricted to outstanding students interested in pursuing a career in agriculture who have demonstrated leadership capabilities.
Jarena D.: Restricted to Juniors and Seniors.
John W.: Restricted to students with demonstrated financial need who are between the ages of 16 and 19 at the time they are first awarded the scholarship.
Judith A. Lamberti, M.D.: Provides support for two undergraduate students as follows: 1. A student majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field who has demonstrated financial need, with a preference for a member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) 2. Supports one student with demonstrated financial need who is a returning UC Davis Band Member.
Kathryn S. Hinchee-Rodriguez, Ph.D.: Supports students in the College of Biological Sciences with demonstrated financial need who are from Sacramento, Shasta or Merced County.
Lawrence E.:
Liliane D.:
Luther D. and Marie M.: Restricted to US citizens or permanent residents who are undergraduates in College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies.
M. L.: Restricted to students who are interested in mathematics and the sciences and who have financial need.
Malinda J.: Scholarship for students who transfer to UCD in junior standing from a community college in the California community colleges system. The student must have demonstrated financial need and be a California resident. Preference is for re-entry or nontraditional students.
Marjorie and Charles W.: Supports one student in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from the State of California with preference to San Francisco Bay Area students. This scholarship supports one student in the College of Engineering and one student in the College of Letters and Science who have plan a career in combining science and art and are from the State of California with preference to San Francisco Bay Area students.
Mary E.: Restricted to students with financial need who are majoring in fields traditionally considered home economics, including nutrition.
Michael T.: Supports to undergraduate students in the College of Letters and Science on the basis of financial need.
Mrak Student Award: Restricted to students in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences who are pursuing production agriculture-related majors or careers.

Additional Scholarship Information

Impact of Major Change: Changing your major may affect your eligibility for scholarships. It is advisable to report major changes directly to the Scholarships Office.
Planned Educational Leave Program (PELP): The scholarship offer assumes full-time attendance for all three quarters. If you attend only two quarters, your scholarship will be reduced proportionally. Students attending only one quarter are generally ineligible, although appeals may be considered for extenuating circumstances.
Full-time to Part-time Status: The impact of changing from full-time to part-time status depends on the specific scholarship and whether the change has been officially registered with the Office of the Registrar. Contact the Scholarships Office to confirm eligibility. Appeals may be considered for extenuating circumstances.
Study Abroad Scholarships: UC Davis does not offer scholarships solely for studying abroad. However, scholarships offered by the Scholarships Office can be used for UC-approved programs during the regular academic year. The Study Abroad Office may offer its own scholarships and recommendations for additional funding sources. UC Davis is also a top producer of Gilman Scholarship recipients, which Pell Grant recipients should consider applying for.

Addressing Common Concerns

Do I have to fill out this application to get the scholarship again? Yes, you need to complete the Undergraduate Scholarship Application to receive a scholarship again.
How will freshman scholarships be selected since SAT/ACT scores will no longer be used? The test scores will be removed from our method and instead move to solely using a holistic evaluation of the admissions application.
What can I do if I’ve missed the scholarship deadline? Sign up for our listserv to receive information about upcoming deadlines for outside scholarships. You may also want to consider applying to the various prestigious scholarships that are available.
Why didn't I get a scholarship? Our scholarships are competitive and, unfortunately, we have a limited amount of money to offer. That means there are far more outstanding students than there are scholarships available. So, receiving a scholarship is not guaranteed. Also, keep in mind that the applicant pool changes from year to year, and you have the option to update your scholarship application each cycle, so we recommend applying annually.

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