Frequently Asked Questions Related to Financial Aid and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

UCR is enacting new policies and practices based on the concept of social distancing. The goal is to decrease the number of situations that require community members to gather in large groups and to minimize the time spent in close proximity with others. We understand that your financial aid funding remains critically important at this time and we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we all work together to proactively take steps to protect our community.

• Will the Financial Aid Office remain open?

  Yes. Our office is committed to supporting you during this time of uncertainty. We will continue to serve students by phone, email, and livechat. You can call at 951-827-3878 Monday-Friday from 9AM-4PM. You can email us at finaid@ucr.edu. We are currently responding to emails within 4-6 business days. Please be sure to have included your Student ID Number (SID) in your e-mail. It is a number that is nine digits long and usually starts with 86. 

  You can also connect live with a Financial Aid representative via Scottybot between Monday-Friday from 11AM-2PM. Wait times may vary. If you need assistance outside of these hours, Scottybot can still answer general questions 24/7!

  Visit our website or check our Instagram account at @ucrfinaid for more information on financial aid topics. Additionally, you can visit the Financial Wellness page for tips on managing your money! Follow us on Instagram @ucrfinwell to learn about credit, budgeting, and other money tips.

• If a student has sent an email, when should they expect to receive a response from the Financial Aid Office?

  Students should allow for about 5 - 10 business days for a response.  Please be sure to include your Student ID Number in your email.

• As a student, how can I apply for HEERF funding?

  We understand that you may have questions related to the HEERF funding that has been sent to our University. For general questions about your eligibility for HEERF funds, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 

• Will a student’s accepted financial aid be disbursed to their student account on schedule?

  Yes, the Financial Aid Office and Student Business Services (SBS) will be partnering to process student’s financial aid disbursements as usual. 

• Is there still time to sign up for direct deposit before the Spring 2020 financial aid disburses?

  Yes, students are encouraged to sign up immediately for a secure and quick way to receive their funds. Instructions can be found here. 

• If a student chooses to move off campus or change their living arrangements, does the student need to notify the financial aid office?

  If a student chooses to move off campus or change their living arrangements, does the student need to notify the financial aid office?

  Yes, the student must submit a revision request in R’Web and update your housing plans so that we can adjust your financial aid award accordingly.

• If a student needs to purchase a new computer in order to complete courses online, can they request additional loan funds through the Financial Aid Office?

  Students are encouraged to reach out to the Financial Aid Office to receive individualized counseling on how their financial aid award might be adjusted to accommodate a new computer purchase using loan funding.

• Will the temporary shift to online courses change the minimum number of credits required to receive financial aid?

  No, unit requirements remain the same, regardless of the method used to deliver curriculum to our students. 

• What if a student can't take 12 or more units and will be a part-time student? Can the student still receive financial aid for the term?

  Part-time students are eligible for some financial aid funds, although the award amounts may vary based on the number of units the student is taking in the term. To learn more, please review types of aid and eligibility requirements on our website.

• If a Federal Work Study eligible student is currently working for a UCR off-site school employer and their job is temporarily suspended, can the student look for another on campus job to continue earning their Federal Work Study award?

  Yes, we encourage any student who learns that their position has been suspended or ended in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, to reach out to our office to receive individualized guidance.

• If a student was enrolled or was supposed to begin a travel-abroad experience and either the student has been called back to the U.S. or was never able to begin the travel abroad experience, what will happen to their financial aid eligibility?

  UCR students should reach out to our office to speak to the Study Abroad Coordinator for individualized counseling. Our goal is to accommodate our students and to help them continue their education despite interruptions caused by COVID-19.

• If a student withdraws during term, due to a disruption from COVID-19, does UCR still have to follow the normal Return of Title IV Aid process?

  Yes, the an institution must return any Title IV funds for which it is responsible in accordance with the provisions of 34 CFR § 668.22 when a student withdraws. Currently, we do not have the authority to waive the statutory requirement for the return of unearned Title IV funds in the case where a student (who receives Title IV assistance) withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment after having begun attendance. To learn more, please review the guide posted on our website.

• Will students receive their 2020-2021 Financial Aid Award Notification according to the published schedule for 2020-2021?

  Yes, our office will send 2020-2021 Financial Aid Award Notifications out as scheduled.

  • Newly admitted students will begin receiving their preliminary financial aid offers beginning April 3, 2020. 
  • Current students returning in the Summer 2020 term who applied by the March 2, 2020 deadline and submitted any requested documentation by April 15, 2020 will begin receiving their Financial Aid Award Notification before June 1st. 
  • Current students returning in the Fall 2020 term who applied by the March 2, 2020 deadline and submitted any requested documentation by April 15, 2020 will begin receiving their Financial Aid Award Notification before July 1st. 

  NOTE: Prompt attention to requests for additional information will avoid delays in the processing of your financial aid. Students that have applied on time and submitted all required documentation by June 1st will be processed in time for financial aid to be credited to their UCR bills.

• Is a student still required to submit additional verification forms in addition to my financial aid application this year? Do I still need to submit the forms?

  Yes, UCR is still required to collect the documentation we requested in order to process your financial aid offer. No application verification requirements have been changed due to the COVID-19.

• What if a student is not able to meet the document deadline due to quarantine or illness?

  Our office will be happy to extend a student’s document deadline. Just email our office at financialaid@ucr.edu to request an extension.

• If a student didn’t complete a financial aid application because in the past years they did not qualify for any free grants, but there is a change in their family income due to coronavirus, can the submit a late application to be considered for 2020-2021?

  Yes, students may submit a late FAFSA or Dream Act Application and subsequently request a Change of Income Appeal to recalculate their Expected Family Contribution.

  Tip: UCR’s school code is 001316.

• If a student and/or their family experience a significant reduction in income, is it possible for the student to file a Professional Judgement Appeal to recalculate the Expected Family Contribution for the 2020-2021 financial aid award year?

  If a student and/or their family experience a significant reduction in income, such as in the case where an employer closes for a period of time as a result of COVID-19,  the student should contact the Financial Aid office to speak to a counselor.

• If the Financial Aid staff agrees that a student will qualify for a Professional Judgement Appeal, what will be required to complete the appeal?

  In making a professional judgement determination, a Financial Aid Counselor must obtain documentation to support the reduction in income and retain it in each student’s file. This documentation must substantiate the reason for any adjustment. Each student appeal will be reviewed on an individual basis, and the type of documentation required will be determined after the appeal has been carefully evaluated.

• If a student does not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards due to circumstances related to an outbreak of COVID-19, will the Financial Aid Office allow the student to appeal with appropriate documentation?

  Yes, a student may submit documentation to show that COVID-19 related reasons, including, but not limited to, the illness of a student or family member, compliance with a quarantine period, or the general disruption resulting from such an outbreak, were related to their failure to maintain compliance with UCR’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. 

Save Time - Update FAFSA

If you and/or parents filed taxes in 2017 but did not yet use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), please do so immediately to avoid delays in receiving a financial aid offer. Watch a tutorial video explaining how to use the DRT.

Announcements

Get the Latest Updates from Our Office

• File Your Financial Aid Application Every Year

  File your FAFSA or Dream Act Application every year (even if you don't think you'll qualify)! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

• Sending Your Outside Scholarship Check

  If you are sending the Financial Aid Office your outside scholarship check, please ensure that the scholarship check has the Student Identification number (SID) located on the check, the student's name, and made payable to REGENTS UC.  

  Please mail your scholarship checks to the UCR Student Business Services office at:

  UCR Main Cashiers Office 900 University Avenue Student Services Bldg, Rm 1111 Riverside, CA 92521

  Alternatively, you may drop off scholarship checks using the Cashier's Drop Box located on the east side of the Student Services Building.

• 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA

  This brief, simple tutorial, 7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA, will guide you step-by-step through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply by March 2, 2020, in order to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid to attend UCR in the 2020-21 school year!

• Summer Aid Application

  You do not need to submit a Summer Aid application to qualify for 2022 Summer Sessions Financial Aid.

  In order to be offered a summer financial aid award, you must:

  • Submit a 2022-23 FAFSA or California DREAM Application
  • Submit all documents required to complete your financial aid application. 
  • Enroll in a minimum of 6 units for Summer Sessions 2022
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above. 

  Summer Financial Aid Offers are prepared and emailed to students who have met the requirements in late May.

  If you are an undergraduate student, you may be eligible for grant funds. The Summer 2022 Financial Aid Estimator will be available on April 15 on Summer Sessions to calculate the amount of summer financial aid you may qualify to receive in grant aid.

• Loan Exiting Steps for Seniors

  12 Tips to Pave the Way for a Graceful Exit

• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

  UC's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will ensure that you will not have to pay system-wide tuition and fees out of your own pocket if you are a CA resident whose total family income is less than $80,000 a year (and you qualify for financial aid).

  You don't need to fill out a separate application to qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. You will receive the benefits automatically if you meet the following eligibility requirements:

  •  Submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2
  • Be a California resident or have AB 540 status
  • Demonstrate total family income below $80,000 and financial need, as determined for federal need-based aid programs
  • Be in your first four years as a UC undergraduate (first two for transfer students)
  • Meet other basic requirements for UC grant aid (for example, be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year, meet campus academic progress standards, not be in default on student loans, etc.)

  What's covered?

  If you're eligible, your system-wide tuition and fees will be fully covered by scholarship or grant money. The plan combines all sources of scholarship and grant awards you receive (federal, state, UC and private) to go toward covering your tuition and fees. Students with greater financial need can qualify for even more grant support to help defray other educational expenses (like books, housing, transportation, etc.).