Budget Adjustment Request
Request for Financial Aid Budget Adjustment
Students may request an increase or adjustment to their financial aid budget to cover additional expenses incurred during their enrollment period. In most cases, funding is provided as loans. To initiate this process, log in to the Bruin Financial Aid Portal—UCLA’s new financial aid system beginning in Summer 2025—and submit a Budget Increase Request under “Appeal: Budget Increase Form” in the Documents section. Within the form, itemize each expense, circle relevant charges on receipts, and upload all required supporting documentation—requests will not be processed without it.
Allowable expenses include:
- Childcare
- Out‑of‑pocket medical or dental expenses
- Computer purchases (once per degree, up to $2,000)
- Rent or housing adjustments if actual costs exceed budgeted amounts
Once approved, the increase will be funded with additional loans. Please submit your request and documentation exclusively through the Bruin Financial Aid Portal.
Bruin Financial Aid System:
Bruin Financial Aid will be the platform for managing your financial aid. Helpful resources such as videos, guides, and FAQs can be found on the Bruin Financial Aid Help Webpage.
HOW TO SUBMIT APPEAL FORMS ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025:
Please submit your request two weeks before the end of your enrollment period for processing.
Currently enrolled students can submit a Budget Appeal for consideration via the links provided below.
Online Log on to MyUCLA -> click Finances and Jobs tab -> under Financial Aid and Scholarships click -> View All Documents.
Request for Budget Increase to Accommodate Additional Funding
If you are requesting a budget increase to accommodate additional funding from your department or an outside donor without causing an over-award to your existing financial aid, please note this on your online form. SOD Financial Aid will not provide additional assistance in this case. The increase will only serve to adjust your Cost of Attendance, enabling aid from other sources to be posted to your account and preventing an over-award of financial aid.
Requests to increase your financial aid budget will be submitted via the Bruin Financial Aid Portal (BFA). Please review the instructions provided below carefully before submitting your request and supporting documentation via the BFA Portal. Once you access BFA, select "Documents" and proceed with the instructions provided below:
- Select “upload a non requested document”
- From “Document Name” select Appeal: Budget Increase Form and select the owner (student) and the award year
- Provide information in “Enter Document Data” fields
- Use “Add an Additional Document” button to attach the required supporting documentation (requests will not be processed without supporting documentation)
Please upload acceptable forms of verifying documentation for each category mentioned below. Itemize all expenses and circle items on supporting documentation/receipts before uploading.
Additional information from the UCLA Financial Aid Office 'Forms and Publications'
Child Care
Parenting students are eligible to add the out-of-pocket cost for childcare expenses. Expenses may be split between a two-parent household. Private school tuition is not covered.
Expected Aid: If federal student loans are maximized, a small grant may be awarded based on eligibility.
Documentation
Submit a personalized contract or a letter from your childcare provider describing the services offered and their costs. Also, please provide proof of payment (such as cleared checks, money orders or copies of receipts) for at least two consecutive months.
Medical /Dental Expenses
Expenses incurred and paid out of pocket (not covered by insurance) for the student during the enrollment period will be considered.
Estimates of procedures will not be accepted. Additionally, cosmetic surgery or procedures such as braces will not be covered. *Some procedures may require an explanation from a physician indicating that the procedure is required.
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover allowable out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Documentation
Multiple transactions require an itemized statement by date and amount paid. Proof of payment, such as copies of receipts, credit card statements, or cleared bank checks, are required (front and back copy).
Computer Purchase
This expense will be allowed only once during a student's enrollment per degree at UCLA. Computer and computer-related expenses include one computer (desktop, laptop, or tablet), insurance, and basic software such as Microsoft Office. A maximum of $2000 can be considered.
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover your computer expenses.
Documentation
Submit a copy of a receipt verifying proof of purchase for the computer. The receipt must be in students' names, or credit cards may be used to verify purchases. If purchased by a parent, you will need to provide a statement from the parent indicating aid will be used to reimburse them for the cost of the computer.
Rent Expenses, or change to Housing Status
If your actual rent/mortgage, or UCLA Housing expense exceeds our monthly standard below, we can increase your attendance cost by the difference over your academic year enrollment period.
25/26 academic year submissions
- Graduate monthly standard $1,591
Expected Aid: You will be offered additional loans to cover your housing/rent expense.
25/26 academic year submissions
Please upload your rental or lease agreement and proof of payment to the Bruin Financial Aid Portal.
Submission Due Date
Please submit your request two weeks before the end of your enrollment period for processing.
For questions and assistance send us a message via Message Center:
- With MyUCLA Login (Continuing Students)
- With MyUCLA Login (New Admit)
- Without MyUCLA Login