UCSD Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

Learn about scholarships that are administered by UCSD for high school seniors and entering freshmen.

Please note:

• In addition to the UCSD scholarships below, also apply for Outside Agency Scholarships.
• Foster youth (or former foster youth) should apply for the Guardian Scholars Program.
• Remember that all scholarships are awarded on a very competitive basis.

How to apply

Follow these instructions to apply for the UCSD freshman scholarships listed below:

1. File your UC Application for Admissions and Scholarships by the November 30 deadline.
2. File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 2 to demonstrate financial need for restricted scholarships.
   • Read more about FAFSA.
3. Based on the information you provided in steps 1 and 2 above, UCSD will consider you for any UCSD scholarships you qualify for.
4. Eligibility is limited to United States citizens or permanent residents (green card holders).
5. UCSD will notify you of any scholarship awards between March 30 and April 30. Check your application status online using MyApplication.

Types of scholarships

You may qualify for 2 types of scholarships: merit scholarships and restricted scholarships.

1. Freshman merit scholarships: Merit scholarships are based solely on academic achievement as reflected in your UC admissions application. Link to details about these merit scholarships:
   • Regents Scholarship
   • Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship
   • National Merit Scholarship (no longer sponsored by UCSD)
2. Freshman restricted scholarships: Restricted scholarships are awarded on academic merit plus additional criteria such as demonstrated financial need, field of interest, or leadership. If selected, you may need to provide supporting documentation to verify how you meet the restricted criteria. All personal and medical information remains confidential. Link to details about these restricted scholarships:
   • UCSD Athletic Scholarship
   • James Avery Scholarship
   • Black Alumni Scholarship
   • Clayton H. Brace Scholarship
   • Chancellor's Freshman Scholarship
   • Computer Science and Engineering Scholarship
   • CREATE Undergraduate Scholarship
   • Herbert & Renita Greenberg Scholarship
   • Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship for Community Service
   • Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Scholarship
   • Kelly J. Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship
   • Ledell Family Scholarship
   • Claude and Irene McFarland Scholarship
   • Dr. A.R. Moossa Scholarship
   • Sheila Owens-Collins Scholarship
   • George Parker Memorial Scholarship
   • Gerald and Inez Grant Parker Foundation Scholarship
   • Mary Pillot Scholarship
   • Preuss School Scholarship at UCSD
   • Ray and Betty Ramseyer Scholarship
   • Rose Foundation Scholarship
   • Shimotori Memorial Scholarship
   • Student Foundation Scholarship
   • Ludwig and Ada Strauss Scholarship
   • Mary S. and Joseph W. Watson Scholarship
   • Allene Huanani Wong Scholarship

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• Regents Scholarship

  The Regents Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded to undergraduate students at the University of California. Regents Scholarships are merit scholarships, selected on the basis of academic excellence, and receive an $8,000 honorarium paid at $2,000 per year in each of their 4 undergraduate years (plus other special privileges).

  • Read more about the Regents Scholarship: who's eligible, and a detailed list of awards and privileges.

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• Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen based on academic merit.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

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• National Merit Scholarship

  UCSD no longer sponsors National Merit Scholarships.

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• UCSD Athletic Scholarship

  • Awarded to: UCSD intercollegiate student-athletes who meet required academic criteria at admission, upon approval by the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. Renewal requires a cumulative UC GPA of 2.50 for sophomores, 2.60 for juniors, and 2.70 for seniors, plus continued participation in intercollegiate athletics. This is a 1-year award that is renewable up to 5 years if criteria are met.
  • Award: $500 per year.

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• James Avery Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering African-American student in Thurgood Marshall College pursuing studies in the performing or visual arts.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

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• Black Alumni Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering African-American students based on academic merit.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

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• Clayton H. Brace Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering freshman with an interest in communications.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $1,000.

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• Chancellor's Freshman Scholarship

  The Chancellor's Scholarships are awarded to entering freshmen on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Chancellor's Scholars receive an honorarium up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year in each of their 4 undergraduate years (plus other special privileges).

  • Read more about the Chancellor's Scholarships: who's eligible, and a detailed list of awards and privileges.

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• Computer Science and Engineering Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen majoring in computer science and engineering who show great promise for achievement in this field.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

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• CREATE Undergraduate Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen who've graduated from a San Diego high school participating in the UCSD CREATE program.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $500.

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• Herbert & Renita Greenberg Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need.
  • Award: Varies.

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• Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering students based on demonstrated academic merit and financial need, with a preference for first-generation college students.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

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• Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering students based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
  • Award: Varies up to $5,000 per year.

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• Kelly J. Kolozsi Memorial Scholarship

  Preference given to students diagnosed with a learning disability. Recipients are chosen by the Kolozsi Scholarship Selection Committee.

  • Awarded to students in the following priority:
    1. Graduates of Menlo Atherton High School
    2. Graduates of a high school in the Sequoia Union High School District
  • Award: Varies.

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• Ledell Family Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen based on academic merit.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

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• Claude and Irene McFarland Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering Native American students.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $10,000, paid at up to $2,500 per year.

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• Dr. A.R. Moossa Scholarship

  • Awarded to: A pre-medical student who plans a career as a physician, has demonstrated financial need, and is a full-time student with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $8,000, paid at up to $2,000 per year.

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• Sheila Owens-Collins Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering African-American student pursuing studies in the life sciences.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $4,000, paid at up to $1,000 per year.

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• George Parker Memorial Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen with financial need who were orphaned for at least 3 years prior to the age of 18, and/or to students who were raised in foster care for at least 3 years immediately prior to the age of 18.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $8,000, paid at up to $2,000 per year. The scholarship is renewable each year, provided you continue your full-time undergraduate enrollment at UCSD and remain in good academic standing.
  • Other: You must show evidence of financial need and evidence of orphan or foster care status.

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• Gerald and Inez Grant Parker Foundation Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An outstanding UCSD entering freshman from a San Diego or Imperial County high school who has made valuable contributions through community service.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $3,000.

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• Mary Pillot Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Meritorious graduates of San Jose High Academy in San Jose, California, as nominated by the high school principal.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $500.

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• Preuss School Scholarships at UCSD

  • Awarded to: Graduates of the Preuss School who've been admitted to UCSD and who have high financial need.
  • Award: Varies.
  • The following scholarships are part of the Preuss School Scholarship Program:
    • Janice and Steven Chaffin Scholarship
    • Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship
    • Herbert and Renita Greenberg Scholarship
    • Rebecca E. Lytle Scholarship
    • Preuss School Scholarship

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• Ray and Betty Ramseyer Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering student with an interest in the social sciences.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

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• Rose Foundation Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Graduates of San Diego County or Imperial County high schools who are historically underrepresented at UC campuses. Students must have demonstrated financial need, be full-time students, and must have at least a 2.5 GPA.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $20,000, paid at up to $5,000 per year.

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• Shimotori Memorial Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering freshman with academic merit and demonstrated financial need.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $5,000 per year.

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• Student Foundation Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering students based on community service, with a preference for demonstrated financial need.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $2,000.

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• Ludwig and Ada Strauss Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An academically outstanding entering freshman, with preference given to a student with demonstrated financial need.
  • Award: A 1-year award up to $4,000.

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• Mary S. and Joseph W. Watson Scholarship

  • Awarded to: Entering freshmen with financial need, from San Diego or Imperial County, with preference given to students who:
    • Received their K-12 educations in San Diego or Imperial County
    • Are first-generation college students
    • Are not receiving other privately funded UCSD scholarships
    • Are majoring in physical sciences or arts and humanities
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $8,000, paid at up to $2,000 per year.

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• Allene Huanani Wong Scholarship

  • Awarded to: An entering freshman from Hawaii, with a preference for students majoring in science or engineering.
  • Award: A 4-year award up to $40,000, paid at up to $10,000 per year.

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