Financial Aid & Tuition

State of California Disclosure

Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.

Students considering student loans need to be aware of the differences between federal student loans and private student loans:

Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options including, but not limited to, income-based and income-contingent repayment plans, as well as loan forgiveness benefits that private lenders are not required to provide.
Federal direct loans are available to most students regardless of income. Other qualification criteria do apply. For more information, visit studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility.
Private student loan lenders can offer variable interest rates that can increase or decrease over time depending on market conditions.
The interest rate on a private loan may depend on the borrower’s and/or co-signer’s credit rating.
Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of, and any fees associated with, the private student loan included in their financial aid award package before accepting the loan. Students should contact the lender of the private student loan or their financial aid office if they have any questions about a private student loan.

Tuition and Resources

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Admissions Committee awards need-based scholarships on a holistic evaluation, taking into consideration your overall application including academic achievement, work experience and extracurricular activities. All completed applications are automatically considered for need scholarship; no additional application is needed. If you are selected as a scholarship recipient you will be notified upon admission.

2023-2024 MDS Program Expense Estimates*

Mandatory Student Fees:

Please visit our UCI University Registrar Website for Comprehensive list of fees.

MDS offers a full-time and part-time pathway. The program fee, campus-based fees, and student services access fee are assessed each quarter, including the summer quarter.

† All registered graduate students at UC Irvine are automatically enrolled in UC GSHIP. This fee is included in total registration fees. If you are covered by another health insurance plan that complies with UC’s waiver criteria, then you may apply for the waiver.

For detailed information about housing please refer to the on-campus housing site and the off-campus housing site.

Financial Aid

For information on financial aid, please review the Financial aid website:

http://www.ofas.uci.edu/content/GraduateEntering.aspx

Federal Resources

UCI Resources

External Scholarship Resources

If some or all instruction for all or part of Academic Year is delivered remotely, will there be a reduction to tuition or mandatory fees?

Some or all instruction for all or part of Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and mandatory fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year.Some or all instruction for all or part of Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and mandatory fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year.

Must I be accepted for admission before I apply for financial aid?

No. You may apply for financial aid as early as October 1 for the next school year.

How do I pay my registration fees?

UC Irvine’s official billing statement, the ZOT Bill, will be e-mailed to you prior to the beginning of each quarter. Your ZOT bill will indicate the quarterly tuition, the due date and any financial aid credit(s) which may be applied to your account. Tuition will be paid automatically for students who receive financial aid that covers the full cost of tuition and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 units. The university also offers a variety of payment options, from easy and secure online payments to a plan that allows you to pay in installments

Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA and/or private loan application each new academic year.

How will I know if my financial aid application file is complete?

You can check the status of your financial aid application file on My Aid.

When will I receive my financial aid award?

If you have been awarded a scholarship, you will be notified in your Letter of Admission. We begin emailing all other financial aid award notifications in June. When you receive your financial aid award email depends on your admission date and when you completed your financial aid file.

What if I borrow more than my tuition?

You may use funds in excess of your tuition to pay for indirect educational costs such as living expenses, books, supplies, etc. After your aid has been applied toward your tuition fees, any remaining financial aid will be disbursed to you on the first day of the quarter. Federal regulations do not allow UCI to disburse the funds prior to the beginning of each quarter. You can request the funds be electronically deposited by providing your bank account information at Electronic Refunds (DEFT) on your ZOT account.

What are the scholarship opportunities for admitted Graduate students?

Scholarships from the program are limited in funding and are issued on a need-basis. Various other scholarships may be available, including departmental and external opportunities.

Is there a fee waiver for applicants? And who is eligible?

Fee waivers may be available for domestic applicants who demonstrate financial need you may review more information on the UCI Graduate Division Website.

Am I eligible for financial aid and offer any advice on financing my education?

Yes, financial aid options are available for eligible students. For specific advice on financing, it’s best to consult the Financial Aid Office. Interest rates can vary depending on the type of loan.

What are the options for students that want to apply for a TA/RA position?

TA (Teaching Assistant) and RA (Research Assistant) positions are often available but competitive. To apply, you usually need to submit a separate application and possibly undergo an interview.

Academic Year

If some or all instruction for all or part of Academic Year is delivered remotely, will there be a reduction to tuition or mandatory fees?

Some or all instruction for all or part of Academic Year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and mandatory fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year.

International Students

There are several private loan options available for our international graduate students. International students interested in applying for a private loan may view the UCI private loan lender list that is based solely on factors related to the borrower’s best interest. To begin your search, enter “University of California, Irvine” in the School field and select “International” from the drop down menu.

Federal and Private Loans

US citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal need-based financial aid in the form of student loans to cover all educational expenses including tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel and miscellaneous expenses up to the cost of attendance. In order to be considered for federal financial aid as a graduate student, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request that your information be sent to the University of California, Irvine, school code 001314. Once you have received your Financial Aid Award Notification, you need to go to the UCI financial aid website and choose “Log on to My Aid” to complete the process.

There are a number of lenders who provide private loans. UCI has developed a system-wide private loan lender list that is based solely on factors related to the borrower’s best interest. To begin your search, enter “University of California, Irvine” in the School field and select “Graduate” from the drop down menu.