Graduate Aid

To apply for student loans, please complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA. Graduate students may receive a Direct Unsubsidized loan or a graduate PLUS loan as a FAFSA filer. The FAFSA is available for US citizens and eligible non-citizens (ie, permanent residents).

Please reach out to the MAS CSP financial aid liaison Renee Moore (remoore@ucsd.edu) at the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office if you have any questions.

• Eligibility & Enrollment Requirements: Learn what you need to do to maintain eligibility for the loan programs.
• Cost of Attendance: Use this estimated cost of attendance to help decide how much money you'll need to attend UC San Diego and how much financial aid you may need to meet that goal.
• Packaging Policy: Learn how the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office calculates how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, and in what order awards are made.
• How You Receive Your Financial Aid: Link to resources that can help you manage your financial aid award.

Have you secured a scholarship from a non-UC San Diego organization? Learn more about where to send your check for processing.

Continue your scholarships search with these additional scholarship resources.

Military Affiliated Students

Review Military benefits at UC San Diego and please reach out to the Military-Connected Benefits Coordinator, Jay Nelson (vao@ucsd.edu) for assistance.

Depending on the type of benefits you are receiving from the Veterans Administration, UC San Diego may offer financial aid that can work in conjunction with your VA benefits.

Stop by the Registrar's Office for assistance so you receive your benefit claims as soon as possible. The Registrar's Office helps you take full advantage of the programs, services, and benefits available by:

• Processing your paperwork for VA claims so you'll receive your payments on time
• Certifying your student enrollment for the VA
• Preparing the necessary forms for unit or address changes

Federal Benefits

Apply through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its website will guide you through the process, and the VA will notify UC San Diego of your eligibility. The Registrar's Office processes your claims and other paperwork required so you receive your payments on time. Review the types of federal aid available here.

Mandatory Enrollment Verification

Once you've applied and been approved to receive your educational benefits from the VA, and you've enrolled in your classes, you must complete the enrollment verification e-form. This form is required by the VA, and must be submitted on a quarterly basis and/or if you make changes to your schedule or withdraw from the term. You'll be asked to read and understand the UC San Diego VA Notification of Requirements (PDF) when you submit your completed e-form.

International Students

International Students & Engagement Office (ISEO)

ISEO's team of expert staff provides the highest levels of knowledge and expertise in advising and immigration services to international students at UC San Diego. Advising is provided in person, through virtual Zoom Advising, email, and our online advising guides.

Have questions about preparing for life in the United States and at UC San Diego? Attend ISEO'S pre-arrival webinars, which cover a variety of topics in depth, including:

• The visa application process
• On and off-campus housing
• UC San Diego health and immunization requirements
• Funding as an international student
• …and much more!

Past and future pre-arrival webinars can be found here, as well.

Contact: Incoming students with inquiries, or questions from departments that are student- or case- specific, should be directed to ISEO via our Contact Form: iContact.ucsd.edu. Students should include name and PID, if known. It is important to note that we are an Early Start Program, also seen as Summer Special Session III. Please tell the advisors you speak to that you are in an Early Start program. This is the best way to ensure they will give you the correct information! 

Students can register for these webinars by visiting iNewStudentWebinars.ucsd.edu. All webinars include a time of Q&A with ISEO and other campus partners. Webinar recordings are also posted for students to review or in the case they cannot attend live.

STEP 1: Apply for F-1 or J-1 Status

Requesting your Form I-20/DS-2019 and applying for your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp; or transferring your SEVIS record. Learn more here.

• International students admitted to the MAS in Climate Science and Policy will be required to upload a copy of their official acceptance letter as part of their iPortal New Admit request for immigration documents. iServices is currently open for newly admitted students for newly admitted international students to request their immigration documents. Please visit iNewStudent.ucsd.edu for information and instructions on how to prepare for and submit their requests.
• International students showing proof of admission to the MAS in Climate Science and Policy, along with successful completion of their iServices New Admit request, will be issued the Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) with the Program Start Date: 25-July-2025.
• F-1 and J-1 students may enter the US no more than 30 days in advance of the Program Start Date listed on their Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1). (Note this is under the assumption that they have successfully obtained their F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, and successfully clear customs inspection upon arrival to the United States.)
• Additional resources: You can attend virtual advising here, and we encourage that you sign up for the iNewStudent Newsletter by contacting iprograms@ucsd.edu to request to be added to the distribution list (UCSD email required).

STEP 2: Prepare for Your Arrival to UC San Diego

Travel arrangements, housing, and completing UCSD health and enrollment requirements.  Learn more here.

STEP 3: Arrival to the U.S. and UC San Diego

What to expect at Customs, activating your F-1 or J-1 status upon arrival to UC San Diego, and International Student Orientation. Learn more here.