Student Financial Aid
If you currently receive University Financial Aid, your financial aid package can be increased based on the higher cost of living in Washington, DC. If you do not currently receive University Financial Aid, the higher cost of living in Washington may make you eligible during the quarter you participate in the Washington Program. If you have questions about your eligibility contact the Financial Aid Office. For information regarding University Financial Aid for international students
Click Here. ALL University Financial Aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office.
UC Davis Washington Program Awards
In addition to standard financial aid provided by the university, the UC Davis Washington Program offers several awards during the academic year. Awards are NOT offered during the summer quarter. Students should not count on program awards as a way to pay for their housing or other costs because receiving an award is not guaranteed. Financial aid follows specific guidelines in managing the distribution of these awards. Awards may be used to offset student loans in your financial aid package and therefore may not result in a direct distribution to you. The eligibility requirements for each award are outlined below.
Once admitted to the program, all student participants are reviewed for award eligibility and are considered for the President’s, Opportunity and Wall awards. These three awards have no application requirement and are awarded by the Program to eligible students (see eligibility requirements below) shortly before the start of their program quarter in Washington, DC. Students must be eligible for financial aid in order to receive the President’s and Opportunity Awards.
Students MUST APPLY for the Building Bridges and Weil awards. Each quarter the program will notify program students when they can apply for the Bridges and/or Weil award. Our awards and eligibility requirements are outlined below:
University of California President's Washington Scholarship
The UC President's Washington Scholarship provides financial assistance for eligible middle-income and financially needy students participating in the Washington Program who meet the following requirements established by the UC Office of the President.
Students must:
- qualify for financial aid as determined by the University financial aid office
- have been accepted by the UC Davis Washington Program
- return to UC Davis for at least one quarter of academic study after participating in the Washington program or require the units earned while in Washington, DC in order to graduate and
- have a GPA of 3.0 or above
Washington Program Opportunity Award
The Washington Program Opportunity Award is part of the University's Pre-Graduate Mentorship Program, which facilitates research-related opportunities for economically disadvantaged students who intend to continue with graduate education.
Students must:
- qualify for financial aid as determined by the University financial aid office
- be accepted by the UC Davis Washington Program
- be a first generation college student
- have a GPA of 3.0 or above and
- have plans to attend post graduate education
Washington Program Scholarship (Wall Award)
Scholarships shall be awarded to a Washington Program participant from any major who has a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Financial need shall be considered when deciding between equally qualified candidates. Up to three scholarships may be awarded during the academic year.
The Blanche and frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award
The Blanche and Frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award will be granted to up to two students per quarter whose goals, while in the Washington Program, demonstrate an interest in increasing understanding and communication among disparate racial, ethnic and class groups. Student goals will be reflected in planned applications for internships, proposed research topics, or other intended activities in Washington, DC. Applicants for this scholarship program will be evaluated on the basis of how closely their goals for the quarter in Washington, DC match the ideals expressed in the lifelong work of Blanche and Frank Goldstein. Each grant is for $500. Students do NOT need to be eligible for financial aid in order to receive this award. Application announcements will be sent out each quarter notifying students how and when to apply.
While in Washington, DC each grantee will have the opportunity to meet and have lunch with Michael Goldstein, Professor and former director of the UCB Semester in Washington Program.
Joyce and Norman Weil Scholarship
A single award of $1500 will be granted during each academic year to an undergraduate student in the Colleges of Letters and Science who:
- is accepted and participates in the UC Davis Washington Program;
- has a cumulative UC Davis GPA of at least 3.0;
- has demonstrated leadership skills;
- displays a keen interest in politics and/or a political career
- accepts an internship on Capitol Hill (with a senator, congressman/woman, or a congressional or senatorial committee) or in the White House
Please Note: Application announcements will be sent out notifying students how and when to apply.