Financial Aid - DDS & PPID

We have several financial aid options available and are here to help you in navigating through the process of applying for assistance.

Although it may be possible to fund your entire education with financial aid, we recommend a conservative approach to borrowing. We also encourage you to save as much as possible before you enter dental school so that you can avoid a heavy debt burden once you graduate.

For the DDS Program, there are several types of financial assistance: loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study. Approximately 90 percent of our financial aid is in the form of loans. These loans must be repaid with interest via a payment plan, which usually does not commence until six months following graduation or separation/withdrawal from the program. The remaining 10 percent of the financial assistance is in the form of grants, scholarships, and funds received for work-study, none of which will need to be repaid. 

Please note: Your eligibility for some of these options depend on your citizenship/residency status.

Students enrolled in the Professional Program for International Dentists (PPID) are eligible to apply for financial assistance, primarily in the form of loans. Once enrolled, they can apply for the dental scholarship application, which is typically available during the fall quarter. Through this application, students will be considered for merit-based, donor-funded scholarships. Additionally, we encourage students to explore external scholarship opportunities.

Our Financial Aid staff is here to support you virtually through Zoom or the Message Center—please note that we are not offering in-person assistance at this time. All required financial aid documents should be submitted through MyUCLA.

We are committed to guiding you through the financial aid process and encourage you to explore our website for additional helpful resources.

Virtual Appointments:
Appointments are available for Zoom meetings from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. If needed, we can also schedule Zoom appointments after 5:00 p.m.

When reaching out to the SOD Financial Aid Office, please include your full name, 9-digit student UID number, and email address along with your message for efficient assistance.

For questions or further support, please contact us through the Message Center.

Connie Steppes, Financial Aid Director
UCLA School of Dentistry