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 · Los Angeles, CA
How students pay for UCLA
Sticker price $41,373 a year. After grants, the average student pays $14,659, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $7,755 to $32,922.
- 9%admitted
- 33,475undergraduates
- 93%graduate
- 43%get a grant from the school
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 $53,331 a year versus $15,729 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.
43%grant from UCLAavg $11,285
26%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,916
38%state grantavg $11,535
21%federal student loanavg $4,696
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 →From the school
UCLA grants and scholarships
43% of first-years get one · average $11,285
Most need-based aid comes automatically with your FAFSA. Merit and departmental scholarships often have their own deadlines.
UCLA financial aid office →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Los Angeles
| Studio | $2,150/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,400/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,480/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 90095. 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
$13,750median federal debt≈ $156/month over 10 years
$88,581median earnings10 years after enrolling
93%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 UCLA
How much does UCLA really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $14,659 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $7,755 to $32,922. The full cost of attendance before aid is $41,373.
Does UCLA give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 43% of first-year students received a grant from UCLA itself, averaging $11,285. 26% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,916).
How much is rent near UCLA?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (90095) is $2,400 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,960 for a two-bedroom, about $1,480 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at UCLA?
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 UCLA graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $13,750, about $156 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $88,581.
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-Los Angeles. How these pages work.
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