University of California-Santa Cruz: student discounts, grants and aid

University of California-Santa Cruz is a public four-year college in Santa Cruz, California. California residents studying here may qualify for 13 state grants and scholarships, and every student can use our 212 checked student discounts. Here's what applies, from official sources.

What it costs, by the numbers

Average net price: $17,890 a yearWhat first-time, full-time students who get grant aid pay after grants and scholarships. Families earning under $30,000: $8,717.
Tuition and fees: $16,005 a year (out of state: $50,205)The sticker price, before any aid.
Students with a Pell Grant: 32% of undergraduatesA Pell Grant is federal money you don't pay back. File the FAFSA to see if you qualify.
Typical debt at graduation: $16,666 in federal loans (median)

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (data released 2026-06). Your own price depends on your aid: try the school's net price calculator.

California FAFSA deadline (2027-28)

State Financial Aid Programs

For most state financial aid programs, submit your FAFSA form no later than March 2, 2027 (date postmarked).

Cal Grant

Cal Grant requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2027. For additional community college Cal Grants, submit your FAFSA form by Sept. 2, 2027 (date postmarked).

California grants and scholarships you can use here

For California residents. Each one is checked against its official page.

Cal Grant A2026-27 max: UC $15,588 (2026-27 cohort), CSU $6,838, CCC bachelor's program $3,024, private institutions $4,000-$9,358
Cal-HBCU Transfer Grant Programup to $5,000 (one-time)
Cal Grant B2026-27: $1,648 access award (first year); from year two also tuition/fees up to $15,588 at UC, $6,838 at CSU, $4,000-$9,358 at private schools
Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)varies (based on cost of attendance, other aid, and state funding)

For specific fields of study

Nursing, teaching and other careers. Some pay for school in exchange for working in that job afterward.

Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG)up to $20,000 (special education, Cohort 5); up to $10,000 (high-need field or PPS, Cohort 4); half that at out-of-state online-only schools
Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program (BSNSP)up to $10,000
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)up to $4,500 per academic year
Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship Program (MBH-SP)up to $240,000 total (prescribing licensed), $180,000 (non-prescribing licensed), $120,000 (non-licensed)

For specific students

Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each page says who qualifies.

Live somewhere else?

State grants usually follow where you live, not where your school is. Many states let residents use their aid only at in-state colleges, so check your own state: find money you qualify for, or see federal aid open to everyone.

All California grants and scholarships →

Student discounts for University of California-Santa Cruz students

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See all 212 student discounts →

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