Types of Aid | UCLA Dentistry

Need- Based Grants (DDS Only)

Grants are awarded based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. UCLA grants are funded through the School of Dentistry and the University.

Dentistry Grant is derived and funded from the return-to-aid collected from students registration Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) Fee.

Work Study (DDS Only)

The Federal Work-study Program is awarded to students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with financial need and is earned through part-time employment. Students secure employment through on-campus or off-campus agencies and may work up to 20 hours per week during the quarter.

However, because the School of Dentistry program is so rigorous, we recommend that students do not work while enrolled. Therefore, we rarely award work-study to dental students. Students can apply during the first week of orientation in the School of Dentistry Office of Student Services.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on academics and other achievements and may or may not be need-based.

University Scholarships consist primarily of private scholarship funds donated to the School of Dentistry. Information regarding these scholarships will be provided during the academic year.

Non-University Scholarships are from various organizations, agencies, companies, or private individuals and are not administered by the University. Students are required to meet various agency restrictions, which may include academic achievement, special talent, leadership abilities, and group affiliation. Additional scholarship information may be obtained in your local library’s reference section. There are also a few sites on the internet that might assist you in your search.

In most cases, the School of Dentistry Financial Aid Office will send notifications to students about scholarships via email. Incoming students are generally not eligible for scholarships until they have begun the program. Please remember that you are not limited to seeking scholarships from those listed.

In addition to the scholarships listed, we also encourage students to seek out scholarship opportunities that may not be known to us. For example, a student may be eligible for an award from a corporation where a family member works. When searching for a scholarship, be very careful to avoid scams aimed at getting your money and/or personal information.

We have done a great deal of searching to find scholarship opportunities for our students. If, however, you know of a scholarship opportunity that is not listed here and may benefit our students, please send an email to the Financial Aid Office.

If applying for scholarships opportunities that requires Dean Enrollment Verification. Please do not enter the school Dean on the school information section. The request would be from our Associate Dean of Student Service for any outside scholarship opportunities requesting any type of enrollment verification.

The Scholarship List PDF has general contact information for organizations that have provided or may provide scholarship funds for our students.

Fast Web

Scholarship Resource Center

Scholarship List with Contact Details (109.86 KB)

What to Do if You Receive a Scholarship?

If you receive a scholarship from an outside donor, make sure you follow these 3 simple steps:

Request that outside scholarship checks are made payable to UC Regents
Give your donor your 9 digit UCLA identification number (UID) and ask them to include it with your award
Have the donor include a letter explaining the award terms when the scholarship check is sent to UCLA / Make sure to report any outside scholarships on your Financial Aid Notification (FAN) or contact the Financial Aid office to report the award.

Please mail scholarship checks to:

Payment Solutions & Compliance Office
University of California Los Angeles
Box 957089, 1125 Murphy Hall
405 Hilgard Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90095-7089

Federal vs. Private Loans

Students considering student loans need to be aware of the differences between federal student loans and private student loans.

Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options including, but not limited to, income-based and income-contingent repayment plans as well as loan forgiveness benefits that private lenders are not required to provide.
Federal direct loans are available to most students regardless of income. Other qualification criteria do apply, more information about Federal Student Aid.
Private student loan lenders can offer variable interest rates that can increase or decrease over time, depending on market conditions. The interest rate on a private loan may depend on the borrower’s and/or co-signer’s credit rating.
Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of, and any fees associated with, the private student loan included in their financial aid award package before accepting the loan. Students should contact the lender of the private student loan or their UC campus’ financial aid office if they have any questions about a private student loan.

Application Procedure for Private Alternative Educational Loans

The paperwork required for private loans varies between lenders. More information about private loans and a list of lenders is here (insert here the link for the private loan page). We encourage you to compare the various loans available through private loan sources. The federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan is now available to provide funding in most cases where a private loan was needed in the past.

Deadline: It is requested that incoming students complete and submit all required aid application materials within 20 days of receipt of notification to begin the application procedure.

Federal & University Loans (DDS & PPID)

Federal loans are available to students who are US citizens, permanent residents, or US nationals with a valid Social Security number. Those with a valid I-94 form showing refugee or asylum status or also eligible. These loans must be repaid with interest, usually after graduating or separating from the education program. Awards include long-term, low-interest loans.

Repayment of the principal and interest of these loans is usually deferred until six months after graduation or withdrawal. Some loans are eligible for internship/residency deferment while others only allow for forbearance. When you are offered a loan, you will be given additional information to assist you with your final decision to accept or reject long-range indebtedness. Private University funds may require one or two co-signers. Interest rates vary, depending on the particular loan source.

Please note: Students in the U.S. on student visas are NOT eligible for federal loans.

For more information about the different types of federal loans, please refer to the items below.

Federal Direct Loans (PPID and DDS Program)

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides low-interest unsubsidized (interest accrues while in school) loans financed by the US Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. Loans are available to students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens. Loan repayment begins six months after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.

The government will set the interest rate for each July 1st through June 30th of the following year. The interest rate for a loan, once established, will apply for the life of the loan – that is, the loan will be a fixed rate loan. As a result, it is likely that many borrowers will have a set of fixed-rate loans, each with a different interest rate for the Direct Loans.

Federal Direct Loan Interest Rates and Loan Fees

Federal Subsidized Direct Loans have been discontinued for graduate and professional students.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are available to all students regardless of income. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement, but the extra costs of accrual can be avoided by making regular interest payments while in school. The unsubsidized amount may be used to meet the difference between the student budget and financial aid awarded (i.e., to replace the student contribution and/or parental contribution).

Because graduate/professional students are not eligible to receive Direct Subsidized Loans, the annual loan limit for the new graduate/professional Direct Unsubsidized Loan includes the amount that would have been previously offered for a Direct Subsidized Loan.

Health professions students qualify for greater amounts of Unsubsidized Direct Loan funds than other disciplines. Including the amount that would previously have been offered in Direct Subsidized Loans, health professions students can receive up to $40,500 in our 9-month first year. In subsequent years, when students are here year round, that eligibility rises to $47,167. The combined aggregate limit for both the subsidized and unsubsidized loans is $224,000.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loans (PPID and DDS Program)

Federal Direct PLUS Loans are now available for graduate and professional students as Direct Grad PLUS Loans. The interest rate for the Grad PLUS Loan is fixed annually in the same manner as listed above for other Direct Loans. Interest accrues from the day the funds are released.

To be eligible for a federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan, you must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security number, must not be in default on a federal loan or liable for a grant or federal Perkins Loan overpayment, and must meet a minimal credit eligibility as determined by the Department of Education. A federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan may only be considered after Direct Loan eligibility has been determined through the financial aid application process. Direct Grad PLUS eligibility may cover the full cost of attendance minus the amount of other financial aid received.

Health Professions Student Loans & Loans for Disadvantaged Students (DDS Program only)

Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL) and Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) are provided by the federal government for dental student financing on a priority basis. First priority is given to those students with no personal and/or family financial resources. The interest rate is 5 percent with a ten-year repayment period. HPSL and LDS loans may be deferred (interest and principal) during periods of advanced training, including internships and residencies.

University/Regents McCoy Loan (DDS Program only)

University/Regents McCoy Loan are available to students with financial need. The McCoy Loan interest rate is 5 percent. There is a ten-year repayment period with a minimum repayment of $90 per quarter. No interest or principal is due until six (6) months after graduation or less than half-time enrollment at an institution of higher education. NOTE: A CO-SIGNER NOTARIZED SIGNATURE REQUIRED IF UNDER 18 FOR THIS LOAN.

California DREAM Loan Program (DDS Program only)

The California DREAM Loan Program allows for UC and CSU campuses to administer non-federal loans to undocumented students who meet the DREAM Act Application requirements.

Students who demonstrate financial need can borrow up to $4000 through the Dream Loan Program.

Interest rates will be fixed at the same rates as Federal Direct Loans, with no loan fees. You must submit your DREAM application by the March 2nd deadline to be eligible for a DREAM loan.

Please note: All Federal and State Programs are subject to change, and all students should read their promissory notes for details on any loan program.

Private Loans

Some students may find it necessary to finance a portion of their education through private loan sources. Students must apply for private loans (aka. Private Alternative Educational Loans) on their own. Students often elect to apply for a private loan for the period during which they are studying for the state boards and/or for expenses incurred while applying for a residency program. Interest rates vary according to the lenders.

Because private loans are generally not federally guaranteed, the borrower must demonstrate credit-worthiness. This is based on an applicant’s personal credit history, including factors such as prior loan repayment records and current personal debt.

If you believe that you will need to seek private loan funds to help meet your education expenses while attending dental school, we suggest that you request a credit history report as soon as possible to evaluate your ability to secure private loan funds. Generally, a request for a credit history report requires four weeks to complete. Listed below are national credit reporting agencies that you may find helpful:

TransUnion
Equifax
Experian
Free credit report at Annual Credit Report

Students may refer to the UC Preferred Lender List which includes lenders that have been extensively evaluated by the University of California Office of the President and found to provide competitive rates and loan terms to students.

International students who are able to secure a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer may apply for a Private (Alternative) Education Loan through our list of preferred lenders:

UC recommended private loan lenders for health professions students.
UC recommended private loan lenders for international students.
UC Code of Conduct regarding preferred lender arrangements.

Private Loans (No U.S. co-signer required)

Please note: We recommend that all eligible students use the federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan instead of a private loan if additional funds are needed.

International students who are able to secure a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer may apply for a Private (Alternative) Education Loan through the list of preferred lenders.

International students who are not able to find a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer may be able to secure educational funding through their home country or other international lender.