Tuition & Financial Aid FAQs

Tuition and Billing

How much does the online MBA program cost?
Course fees are based on the number of units for which you register each quarter.

Are there additional fees assessed on top of course fees (lab fees, program fees, registration fees, student fees, placement fees, activity fees, etc.)?
In addition to course fees, you will be charged a residential fee of approximately $500 per residential. You are responsible for covering transportation to and from residential locations, lodging, meals, and local transportation while in attendance.

If you register after the original registration deadline, you will be assessed a $125 registration penalty fee, and if you pay your quarterly bill after the due date, you will be assessed a $125 penalty fee.

Students are automatically charged the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) fee unless they receive a waiver. See below for more details.

Am I required to have health insurance?
All registered UC Davis students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) to meet the UC Board of Regents mandate that all UC students have health insurance coverage as a nonacademic condition of enrollment.

However, if you are already covered by an equivalent health insurance plan, and do not wish to be enrolled in UC SHIP, you can apply for a waiver by submitting a waiver application before your first quarter of enrollment and again prior to the start of each subsequent academic year.

Waiver applications need to be submitted each academic year so that we have the most up-to-date information regarding your insurance coverage. For more information on the SHIP waiver, go to the SHIP webpage.

How much is the enrollment deposit?
A nonrefundable $1,000 deposit is required to confirm your enrollment in the UC Davis MBA program. This payment is applied to your first quarter charges.

Can I use financial aid or other funds to pay the deposit?
Because the enrollment deposit represents your personal commitment to enroll, you cannot use other funds such as financial aid, employer funding or outside scholarships to pay the deposit.

Will I be able to view my award package before submitting the deposit?
Yes, you will be able to view your award prior to submitting the enrollment deposit.

When is my tuition payment due?
You are responsible for paying tuition, fees and any outstanding account balance by the Student Fee Payment Deadline:

  • Fall Quarter: Sept. 15
  • Winter Quarter: Dec. 15
  • Spring Quarter: March 15
  • Summer Quarter: July 15

Payments can be made either electronically using MyBill by 11:59 p.m. (PT) or in person at the Cashier’s Office by 4 p.m. (PT).

You can view your outstanding account balance using MyBill.

Monthly billing statements are courtesy electronic statements that are issued on the 22nd of each month. They are static and do not reflect charges and payments made directly after that billing period. For the most accurate information, always refer to your MyBill account activity.

Will my registration be canceled if the bill is not paid when classes begin?
If you do not pay your bill by the due date, we will place a hold on your records and assess a registration penalty fee. If you have not paid your bill by the first day of the quarter, we may drop your classes for nonpayment. Please contact the GSM registrar by email at GSMRegistrar@gsm.ucdavis.edu if you know you will have difficulty meeting the payment deadline.

What are the accepted forms of payment?
UC Davis accepts most forms of payment. Note that there is an additional service fee for payments with a credit card. For a current list of payment options, please visit the Cashier’s webpage.

How does my employer pay UC Davis directly?
If your employer requires UC Davis to bill for your charges, please visit the Sponsorship webpage.

Does UC Davis offer payment plan options?
The UC Davis Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) allows for eligible tuition and fees to be paid in monthly installments due by the 15th of each month. If you owe at least $150 in tuition and qualifying fees after all discounts, financial aid and other credits have been applied to your account, you can choose to use the Deferred Payment Plan. A nonrefundable application fee applies to participate in DPP. More information is available on the DPP webpage.

What is the process if I’m eligible for a refund?
Financial aid refunds are available after the first day of the quarter. Refunds for dropped courses or overpayments are available after the 10th day of instruction. Please refer to our refund schedule for more information.

To expedite your refund, we strongly encourage you to sign up for direct deposit. It is the fastest, most secure way to receive refunds at UCD. To sign up for direct deposit, please visit the direct deposit webpage at directdeposit.ucdavis.edu.

For students without direct deposit, a paper check can be picked up at the Student Accounting office, 2100 Dutton Hall. To have the check mailed, you must call 530-752-3646 or email myaccount@ucdavis.edu to place a request and confirm the correct address.

Financial Aid at UC Davis

Are internal scholarships available for this program?
Yes. See our scholarships page and contact your Admissions Counselor for more info on available scholarships.

Are there any school-specific supplemental financial aid forms I need to complete?
There are no UC Davis-specific financial aid forms or applications. If you plan to apply for federal student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UC Davis financial aid will receive a copy of your FAFSA application and package you with a financial aid offer. Once you accept the offer you will be led to complete the electronic entrance interview and Master Promissory Note. To learn more about the required loan documents please visit the Federal Student Aid website. Complete loan counseling on the Federal Student Aid website.

Are there academic requirements to receive and maintain financial aid?
To be eligible for financial aid, you must meet certain academic standards. Student academic progress (GPA, pace of progression and maximum time frame) is evaluated annually based on the term in which you first enrolled. For example, you must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Failure to maintain these standards will result in suspension of your financial aid eligibility. However, you have the option to appeal to regain eligibility.

What is the minimum number of credits required to receive federal student aid?
You must be registered for a minimum of six credits per quarter to be eligible for federal student aid.

Once admitted, how long will it take to receive my financial aid award?
You can expect to receive your financial aid notification approximately a month prior to the first day of instruction, if your FAFSA is complete.

How will I receive my financial aid notification?
You will be notified via your UC Davis email. To view your financial aid notification, you should log in to MyAwards.

How do I accept my financial aid award?
You will review and accept your financial aid award on the MyAwards website.

Am I required to accept the full amount that I am offered on my award letter?
No, you may reduce or decline any or all of your aid offer.

Does my Direct Loan eligibility cover the entire cost of the program?
Assuming you are eligible for both the Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you may borrow for tuition and fees in full for the academic year.

How soon will loans disburse to my student account?
Federal student loans will disburse to your student account by the start of classes. See the GSM website for specific disbursement dates for each quarter.

Can I use loans to cover additional expenses (housing, books, supplies, etc.)?
The total cost of attendance (COA) for the academic year includes tuition, fees and living expenses. If you have eligibility for additional loan funds based on your COA, you are able to use those resources to cover expenses such as books, supplies and other miscellaneous expenses.

Can I use loans to cover residentials?
If you have eligibility for additional loan funds/refund, you are able to use those resources to cover residential expenses.

Who can I contact at UC Davis for financial aid questions?
If you have questions about your financial aid eligibility, contact gradmail@ad3.ucdavis.edu. Financial Aid also holds office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 am-12 pm PST. Zoom link and Meeting ID: 287 235 3660

FAFSA

What is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application the Department of Education uses to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid.

Where can I find the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is available online on the Federal Student Aid website. The FAFSA is a FREE application. You will not be asked to pay.

What is the university’s FAFSA school code?
The UC Davis FAFSA school code is 001313.

Do I need my parents’ tax information to complete the FAFSA?
As an MBA student, you are considered independent and do not need to include your parents’ information to complete the FAFSA.

What is the expected family contribution (EFC)?
The expected family contribution (EFC) is the amount that you are expected to contribute toward your educational costs as an undergraduate/dependent student. Graduate and professional students are considered independent for the purpose of federal student aid; therefore, income and need are not analyzed to be eligible, and you are not required to report parental information on the FAFSA.

When should I complete the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is available every October* for the upcoming academic year. If you are planning to use federal student aid, you should complete your FAFSA while applying for admission. The FAFSA must be completed each academic year to remain eligible for federal student loans. Please review the following table to determine which FAFSA you should complete:

Cohort StartTermFAFSA Year
January 2024
Winter 2024
2023-2024
April 2024
Spring 2024
2023-2024
June 2024
Summer 2024
2024-2025
September 2024
Fall 2024
2024-2025
January 2025
Winter 2025
2024-2025
April 2025
Spring 2025
2024-2025

*Generally, the FAFSA opens on Oct. 1 each year. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are an exception: those will be available in December 2023.

What types of federal student aid are available?
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available for MBA students. Learn more about the types of federal student aid.

Will I need to fill out the FAFSA each year?
Yes, you will need to complete the FAFSA for each academic year in which you plan on applying for federal student aid.

Why am I not eligible for the Pell Grant or Federal Subsidized Loan?
The Department of Education awards Federal Pell Grants and Subsidized Loans to eligible undergraduate students who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degrees and who demonstrate financial need. The Department of Education does not evaluate need or income for loans at the graduate/professional level. Therefore, graduate students are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant nor the Direct Subsidized Loan.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

What criteria are used to determine eligibility for federal student aid?
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is not based on income. To apply for federal student aid, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be registered with Selective Service if you’re male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25)
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree program
  • Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program (6 units per quarter)
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Not currently be in default on previous student loans borrowed through FSA
  • Not have exceeded the maximum aggregate loan limit

Learn more about federal student aid eligibility criteria on the Federal Student Aid website.

What is the aggregate loan limit?
The aggregate loan limit is the total amount that you may borrow for undergraduate and graduate study. In addition to borrowing limitations based on the cost of attendance for the program, students are also limited in terms of lifetime borrowing. The aggregate loan limit for all federal loans, including undergraduate and graduate study, is $138,500. You can learn more about aggregate loan amounts on the Federal Student Aid website.

How do I find out if I am near my aggregate loan limit or have defaulted on a federal student loan?
Log in on the StudentAid.gov homepage to view your federal student loan borrowing history and loan servicer details. Please note that private education loans are not listed on this site. Students in default are not eligible for additional federal loans. Contact your lender for default resolution options.

What is the difference between a Direct Unsubsidized Loan and a Direct Subsidized Loan?
Direct Subsidized Loans are available only to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on subsidized loans while students are enrolled in their undergraduate program. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. The unsubsidized loan begins accruing interest as soon as funds are disbursed. Learn more about the difference between unsubsidized and subsidized loans.

How much am I eligible for with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
Most graduate-level students are potentially eligible to receive up to $20,500 per academic year with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Learn more about graduate annual loan limits.

How do I apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
To apply for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, you must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

What is the current Direct Unsubsidized Loan interest rate?
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan interest rate is determined at the beginning of each academic year and is available on the Federal Student Aid website. It will be set each year and may change.

Are there any additional loan fees for the Direct Unsubsidized Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. Information on Direct Unsubsidized Loan origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

What is the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is a federal loan that graduate or professional degree students can use to help pay education expenses in addition to the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Learn about Direct PLUS Loans.

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is based on credit history. To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be registered with Selective Service if you’re male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25)
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree program
  • Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program (6 units per quarter)
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Not currently be in default on previous student loans borrowed through FSA
  • Not have exceeded the maximum aggregate loan limit
  • Not have an adverse credit history

Do Direct PLUS Loans affect my aggregate loan limit?
Only Direct Subsidized/Direct Unsubsidized Loans (formerly referred to as Stafford Loans) and federal loans made through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program count toward your aggregate loan limit.

What are the credit criteria to receive the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
One of the eligibility requirements to receive a Graduate PLUS Loan is that you must not have an adverse credit history. A credit check is performed to determine whether a Graduate PLUS Loan applicant meets this requirement. A list of what constitutes “adverse credit history” can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.

How much can I borrow from the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
If approved for the Grad PLUS Loan, you can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid as determined by UC Davis.

When can I apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
You can apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan up to 180 days before the start of your program or once you are enrolled.

How do I apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
To apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you have completed the FAFSA, you can apply for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan by completing the credit application on the Federal Student Aid website.

What are my options if I’m denied the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
If you are denied the Graduate PLUS Loan, you may reapply with an endorser or follow the instructions on the Department of Education’s website to appeal the denial (you must click through to the Grad PLUS section). You can also review this document about taking out a loan with adverse credit history.

What is the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan current interest rate?
The Direct Graduate PLUS Loan interest rate is determined at the beginning of each academic year, and is available on the Federal Student Aid website. It will be set each year and may change.

Are there any additional loan fees for the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan?
There is a loan origination fee that is a percentage of the total loan amount. The loan origination fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. Information on PLUS Loan origination fees can be found on the Interest Rates and Fees page of the Federal Student Aid website.

Loan Repayment

Do I have to repay my student loans while I’m in school?
You are not required to pay on your federal student loans while you are in school as long as you are enrolled at least half-time. Your unsubsidized loan will go into repayment six months after you graduate, fall below half-time status, take a leave of absence or withdraw from the program.

When do I have to repay my loan?
After you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repayment. During this period, you’ll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you will be notified of your first payment due date. Payments are usually due monthly. You are not required to pay while in school; however, if you choose to, there is no penalty to prepay. Learn more about repayment timelines.

What are the repayment plan options, and how do I select one?
The Department of Education (DOE) offers multiple options for repayment. You may visit the DOE website for more information on loan repayment plans.

Is there a repayment calculator or estimator that I can use?
Yes. Visit the DOE website for repayment calculators.

Can I consolidate my graduate loans and my undergraduate loans?
A Direct Consolidation Loan allows you to consolidate (combine) multiple federal education loans into one loan including both graduate and undergraduate loans. The result is a single monthly payment instead of multiple payments. Learn more about loan consolidation.

Are there any loan forgiveness options available?
Please review the Department of Education website for more information on federal loan forgiveness programs.

Military Education Benefits

How do I apply for military education benefits?
To begin the process of applying for military education benefits for which you are eligible, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Guidance related to enrolling at UC Davis is available on the Veterans Success Center website.

California residents: please note that this program is not approved for CalVet benefits.

What documents are required to process military education benefits?
Visit the Veterans Affairs website to complete the Education Benefits Application, which generates a request for the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Once approved for benefits, the VA will mail the COE to you six to eight weeks from submitting the application.

What is the current tuition and fee payment rate, and monthly housing allowance (MHA)?
The tuition and fee payment rate and MHA are determined at the beginning of each military academic year—on Aug. 1. The current rate table is located on the Education and Training page of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site.

What is the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP)?
The Yellow Ribbon Program allows degree-granting colleges and universities to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the national maximum per academic year.

Participating institutions choose their contribution amount, the VA matches that amount, and issue payment directly to the school. Additional information on the Yellow Ribbon Program available benefits and eligibility, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Does the online MBA program participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP)?
GSM will award up to $6,000 for tuition expenses not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill to up to two eligible MBA students; Veterans Affairs (VA) will match that amount dollar for dollar.

Who can I contact at UC Davis for questions about using military education benefits?
Our dedicated professional and peer staff is here to assist you in making a smooth transition to our university. Contact the Veterans Success Center at vaoffice@ucdavis.edu, or by phone at 530-752-2020. Office hours are listed on our website.

Tax Benefits for Education

How do I qualify for a tuition tax credit?
For detailed information on tax benefits for education, see IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Higher Education. UC Davis is unable to provide tax advice. We urge you to contact your tax advisor or the IRS (at 800-829-1040 or on the IRS website) if you have any questions regarding the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning tax credits.

What is the 1098-T Form?
It is an informational form filed with the Internal Revenue Service to report the amounts billed to you for qualified tuition or related expenses. The primary purpose of IRS Form 1098-T is to inform you that we have provided this required information to the IRS.

What information is included in the 1098-T Form?
Form 1098-T reports amounts paid for qualified tuition, scholarship and grants processed each year to students enrolled in courses at UC Davis for which they receive academic credit. The information reported on the 1098-T Form helps students evaluate whether they are eligible for an educational tax credit.