Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Irvine, CA
How students pay for UC Irvine
Sticker price $39,170 a year. After grants, the average student pays $13,866, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $6,160 to $30,831.
- 29%admitted
- 30,197undergraduates
- 87%graduate
- 56%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
Who: California residents from families earning up to $100,000 who file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form on time What: Most such students receive enough grant and scholarship money to cover UC tuition
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $53,837 a year versus $16,235 for California residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
56%grant from UC Irvineavg $10,164
35%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,644
54%state grantavg $11,446
24%federal student loanavg $4,573
Scholarships from UC Irvine
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Regents' Scholarship
California-resident freshmen, or transfers from a California Community College, who are U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens or qualify under AB130/AB131; renewable for 3 more years (freshmen) or 1 more year (transfers).
- Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship
California-resident freshmen, or transfers from a California Community College, who are U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens or qualify under AB130/AB131; renewable for one more year.
- Directors' Scholarship
Out-of-state domestic students and international students on an F1 visa entering UCI; renewable for the years on the award letter.
- UC Irvine campuswide scholarships (ScholarshipUniverse)Varies
Full-time undergraduates (12+ units a quarter) pursuing a first bachelor's degree with at least a 2.5 GPA; FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application needed for need-based awards.
- University of California Grant (Blue and Gold)Based on financial need
Students who complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and show financial need.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · California
Cal Grant A
Up to $15,588 a year at a UC campus and $6,838 at a CSU campus (2026–27 tuition awards)
Who qualifies: California residents who meet the income, asset and minimum-GPA limits.
How: File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and submit your GPA by the 2 March priority deadline.
Official rules →State grant · California
Middle Class Scholarship
Varies: covers part of the cost left after other aid at UC and CSU
Who qualifies: California residents (or AB 540 students) at a UC or CSU campus with family income and assets up to $250,000 each.
How: Automatic with the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by 2 March.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Irvine
| Studio | $2,580/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,610/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,530/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 92697. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$16.90/hour minimum wage in California
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $7,605 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: statewide since 1 January 2026; many cities set a higher local minimum. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$12,821median federal debt≈ $146/month over 10 years
$83,432median earnings10 years after enrolling
87%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for UC Irvine
Does UC Irvine offer free tuition?
Yes: UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. California residents from families earning up to $100,000 who file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form on time Most such students receive enough grant and scholarship money to cover UC tuition.
What scholarships does UC Irvine offer?
Regents' Scholarship (Not published on the aid site); Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship (Not published on the aid site); Directors' Scholarship (Not published on the aid site); UC Irvine campuswide scholarships (ScholarshipUniverse) (Varies); University of California Grant (Blue and Gold) (Based on financial need). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does UC Irvine really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $13,866 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $6,160 to $30,831. The full cost of attendance before aid is $39,170.
Does UC Irvine give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 56% of first-year students received a grant from UC Irvine itself, averaging $10,164. 35% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,644).
How much is rent near UC Irvine?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (92697) is $2,610 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,060 for a two-bedroom, about $1,530 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at UC Irvine?
Yes. The minimum wage in California is $16.90 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $7,605 before tax.
How much debt do UC Irvine graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $12,821, about $146 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $83,432.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of California-Irvine. How these pages work.
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