Applying for Aid

2024-2025 Academic Year

To apply for need based aid and loans:

Please complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Application Available: December 31, 2023

Historically, the FAFSA has been available beginning October 1st each year. However, because of significant changes to the application and the rebuild of the FAFSA processing system, the 2024-25 FAFSA available December 31, 2023. If you include the UC Davis school code (see below) on your FAFSA, we will not have access to your data until early February. Please print or save your FAFSA completion confirmation for your records.

Deadline to Apply: March 2, 2024 (prospective and continuing students)

You must complete a FAFSA each year.

Completing the FAFSA

  • Go to StudentAid.gov to create a FSA ID
  • After you have your FSA ID, follow directions to file the FAFSA (and signature page if directed to do so)
  • University of California Davis, Code #001313. There is no separate code for the School of Law.
  • File your FAFSA as soon as possible, do not wait until you have been admitted.  The IRS Data Retrieval Tool available through FAFSA can directly access your tax returns from a secure IRS web site to simplify providing income information.

With the new changes, including parental information on the FAFSA will no longer be an option. To be considered for need-based aid, we will be releasing a new Need-Based Aid Application which will require parent information unless you meet one of the exceptions below:

  • Natural parents are deceased
  • Student is 30 years of age or older by December 31, 2023.
  • Student is a veteran
  • Student is married  (those in registered domestic partnerships see further information below)
  • Student has legal dependents
  • Student was considered financially independent by his/her undergraduate institution by exception (Professional Judgement)

Provide your email address on the FAFSA. This allows the Federal Processor to send you e-mail when your FAFSA is received and processed and direct you to a web site to view your Student Aid Report (SAR) and make corrections.

Remember to allow enough time for the federal processor to receive your FAFSA by midnight on March 2. The federal processor is on Central Time and many students across the nation are trying to file their FAFSA in March so you need to file several hours or even a day early to ensure your FAFSA doesn't get “stuck” in a federal system slowdown.

When you file online, be sure to write down your confirmation number or print the confirmation page, which is provided when your FAFSA is accepted and submitted online. If you don't receive a confirmation number, your FAFSA has not been properly completed or filed.

If you do not want to apply on the Web, you can obtain a paper version from the FAFSA web site under the link “FAFSA filing options” or by calling 1-800-4FEDAID.

All applications must include the UC Davis school code #001313 and be received by the federal processor by March 2 for priority consideration for our aid programs.

If you are unable to use the tool, please refer to your copy of the IRS tax return to update the necessary fields.

Undocumented Students

Undocumented students who qualify under AB540 criteria can apply for financial aid by submitting the California Dream Act application. To be considered for King Hall grants and need-based scholarships undocumented AB540 eligible students should complete the following steps:

Registered Domestic Partnerships

Under California law, registered domestic partnerships (or equivalent legal partnership in other states) are treated the same as marriage for purposes of state-funded financial aid. If you are in a registered domestic partnership, please contact our office for assistance with completing the need application process.

Review Process

You may be asked at any time to submit additional documents to be used in the review of your application.

Please respond to any request as soon as possible; review of your file may be delayed until all requested documents have been submitted. The volume of material we receive can be substantial and we appreciate your patience during the review process.

Accuracy is important when you apply for financial aid. All information is subject to verification according to state and federal regulation. Any false statements or misrepresentations will be cause for denial, reduction, cancellation, or repayment of financial aid.