Chancellor's Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

UC San Diego awards Chancellor's Scholarships to entering freshmen on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Chancellor's Scholars receive an honorarium of up to $5,000 per year in each of their 4 undergraduate years (up to $20,000 total), plus special privileges as outlined below.

Eligibility requirements

• Entering freshman (both California residents and non-residents)
• United States citizen or permanent resident
• Demonstrated academic excellence (strength and breadth of your high school academic program, test scores, grades and other academic criteria)
• Financial need
• Other factors, including:
  • Your personal statement on your UC application
  • Extracurricular and community activities
  • First-generation college attendance
  • Educational environment and economic background

How to apply

• File your UC Application for Admissions and Scholarships by the Nov. 30 deadline.
• File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 2 to demonstrate financial need.
  • Read more about FAFSA.
• You don't need to file any other paperwork.
• UCSD notifies recipients of Chancellor's Scholarships in March, along with the admission notice.

Awards

Up to $5,000 per academic year for 4 years (up to $20,000 total).

Your FAFSA establishes your financial need.

Chancellor's Scholarship benefits

• Priority enrollment appointments

  You'll enroll in your initial Fall Quarter courses at freshman orientation. But after that, Chancellor's Scholars have priority enrollment appointment times beginning the first Winter Quarter and continuing each quarter through 4 years of attendance at UCSD.

  • View your enrollment appointment time each upcoming quarter by checking the announcements on TritonLink's home page.
  • UCSD announces enrollment appointment dates and times for the next quarter on Monday of Week 5 of the current quarter.
  • If you don't receive an enrollment time on the first day of priority enrollment, contact the Scholarship Office, (858) 534-3263.

• Extended housing benefits for 4 years

  Chancellor's Scholars who annually meet all housing application, contract, and payment deadlines are guaranteed campus housing for 12 consecutive academic year quarters (compared to 6 consecutive academic year quarters for non-Chancellor's students).

  • If you move off campus for any length of time (other than breaks, summer, or the UCSD exchange program), you'll void this housing guarantee.
  • Contact the Housing Department, (858) 534-1114, if you have questions about extended housing benefits.

• Study abroad program

  The Programs Abroad Office provides an assigned advisor who personally guides Chancellor's Scholars toward optimal study-abroad options.

  • Your advisor helps ensure you're eligible and have choices among the best study-abroad options offered by UCSD.
  • Your advisor provides information about financial aid and scholarships for study-abroad programs.
  • Visit the Programs Abroad Office to learn more.
  • Questions? Contact Study Abroad Director Kim Burton, (858) 534-5791.

• Chancellor's Scholars Program

  As a Chancellor's Scholar, you'll be expected to participate in a leadership development program that includes faculty and peer mentoring, developing leadership and professional skills, and social and community service activities with other Scholars.

  • Read more about the Chancellor's Scholars Program.

• Faculty Mentor Program

  As upper-division students, Chancellor's Scholars have an opportunity to become better prepared for graduate and professional school through the Faculty Mentor Program. The program offers valuable research experience, assistance with a research proposal and paper, and graduate school and fellowship information.

  • You'll work as a research assistant for UCSD faculty members at least 10 hours per week during Winter and Spring Quarters.
  • A faculty mentor assigns and supervises your research projects, which align with your research interests.
  • Read more about the Faculty Mentor Program.

Questions? Contact the Scholarship Office, (858) 534-3263.