Student fees at the University of California have been steadily
increasing over the last few years due to budget cuts suffered by
the university, leading many students to seek financial aid.
Because of the state’s budget woes, the UC Board of
Regents voted 14-2 in May to increase undergraduate student fees by
another $700 for the 2004-05 school year.
Resident undergraduate fees will increase 14 percent ($700) per
year beginning in summer 2004, bringing mandatory system-wide fees
to $5,684. Campuses also charge additional miscellaneous fees,
which bring the total average fee to $6,230.
The fee hike was announced after a compact was made in May
between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and UC officials, including UC
President Robert Dynes. Under the compact, the UC loses $372
million in state funds.
“We are striving, to the best of our ability given the
state’s fiscal crisis, to preserve quality, accessibility and
the university’s contributions to the economy, health and
quality of life of California,” said Dynes in a statement
released after the fee increases were approved by the regents.
Though incoming freshman have no responsibility for the
state’s budget situation, students across the state are being
footed with the bill to help balance the budget.
For students looking to lessen the burden of the current
financial situation, a place to turn to is the UCLA Financial Aid
Office.
Many forms of financial aid are available to students from low-
and middle-income families, and information about them can be
obtained at the office.
For recipients of Cal Grants ““ money awarded to low-income
students that does not need to be repaid ““ the
governor’s May revision of the budget includes funding for
the grants to cover the 14 percent increase for eligible students.
The governor’s January budget proposal did not do so.
Information about Cal Grants, as well as the federal Pell Grant
is available at the Financial Aid Office.
Need-based scholarship information is also available at the
office. Some scholarships are only available to incoming freshman,
including the $1,500 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, available
to California residents.
Other programs for lower-income students have helped cover some
expenses not associated with fees.Â
Peter Bautista, a second-year undeclared student who works in
the book lending program said he saves $200 a quarter using the
program, which is run through the Financial Supports commissioner
of the undergraduate student government.
Other types of financial aid include both work-study and federal
loans.Â
In order to apply for any of these types of financial aid, the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid must be completed.
Applications can be picked up at the Financial Aid Office.
“For students still concerned about getting loans
together, it’s important to check with the Financial Aid
Office over the summer to make sure they have the right amount of
aid they should be receiving,” said Alex Gruenberg, the
Financial Supports commissioner.
“Occasionally, somebody makes a mistake filing paperwork,
and that can still be worked out with the FAO,” he said.
“There are several resources on campus that students are
urged to be aware of, including private scholarships on a rolling
basis,” he added.
Students without recognized financial need can look to the
Scholarship Resource Center, which is located in Covel
Commons.Â
Many scholarships are available that do not require financial
need or a 4.0 grade point average, and the center provides
one-on-one counseling to help UCLA students find
scholarships.Â
Though little can be done about the fee increases, many believe
it is possible to help lessen the strain on financial resources by
applying for financial aid and scholarships
The Financial Aid Office is located at A129 Murphy Hall. The
Scholarship Resource Center is located at 233 Covel
Commons.