BLUE AND GOLD OPPORTUNITY PLAN
AN INITIATIVE TO GIVE FINANCIAL AID TO ASPIRING UNDERGRADUATES AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
The new “Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan” was set up with an intention to give financial aid to all those aspiring undergraduates who wish to pursue education at University of California (UC). The plan covers system-wide fees of UC for all those students who belong to households with an annual income below $70,000.
Under the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, the system-wide fees over the complete period of four years are covered (for a two-year period in case of transfer students). Thus, all the California-based undergraduates having family income of less than $70,000 a year can get enrolled and study at UC with the help of this scholarship.
ELIGIBILITY
The eligibility criteria for qualifying for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan are as mentioned below:
- The student must be a resident of California.
- One must submit FAFSA – a financial aid application form and all the other documents requested so that the eligibility criteria are met and the income of the family of aspiring candidate can be verified.
- One may also apply for the Cal Grant if that is not being already offered.
- If the student is financially needy, as determined by the federal aid program criteria.
- The undergraduate student must be pursuing the first four years (or two years in case of a transfer student) at University.
- The student should be enrolled for academic year term (summer term is not included).
- If the annual income of the family of the aspiring undergraduate is below $70,000 as per the guidelines of the federal aid programs. For dependent students, this is applicable to parental income. For independent students, the measure of the student’s (and the spouse’s income, if applicable) will be taken.
- One needs to meet the requisite parameters for getting the UC grant assistance (e.g., one should be on-time, meet campus specific requirements, should show proper academic progress, should not have a prior bachelor’s degree, should not be a defaulter on student loans, etc.).
The scholarship and grant are calculated prior to being given. This ensures that every student gets only the financial aid that is required.
Integration of other Aid Programs with UC Aid Programs
The other financial aid programs from institutional, private and federal sources are also integrated with the UC Aid program to cover up the commitment of Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.
These outside agencies give scholarships or financial support to meet the additional educational expenses such as expenditure on books, transportation and the cost of living of the students.
Effective Date and Activation Plans
Until late fall quarter, the students who need additional financial grants to meet the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan are not identified. As per the guidelines, full UC system-wide fees are covered prior to this time and most of the eligible candidates already get adequate grant and scholarship support.
