Gather Your Documents

After your host UC campus is determined, you will receive instructions on how to request your certificate of eligibility (DS-2019) and submit financial documentation. This step does not apply to US citizens or US permanent residents.

A DS-2019 certificate of eligibility can be issued only after you demonstrate that sufficient funds will be available to you while in the US. Your actual expenses may vary, depending on your lifestyle and extra activities. (Travel is not included in these estimates.)

While you are in the US, do not plan to work to meet your financial needs. You are not eligible for UC financial aid.

Funding Sources

Your financial support can come from one or a combination of sources.

Personal Funds/Family or Individual Sponsor's Funds

Provide bank verification of the funds available with a letter on official bank letterhead or recent bank statement showing the name of the account holder, the date of issue and the amount of funds available.

Sponsoring Organization, Government or School's Funds (including loans)

Provide verification of the funds available accompanied with a letter on official sponsoring organization's letterhead, including your name, the amount of the award available to you, and the period when you will be eligible to receive the funds.

    Documenting Available Funds

    All financial documents must:

    • Indicate that funds are readily available to you and offered by the sponsor;
    • be less than three months old;
    • bear official letterheads, signatures and stamps;
    • be accompanied by translations if not in English.
    Accepted documents
    • Checking account statements
    • Savings account statements
    • Term deposits (e.g., certificates of deposit) with a maturity date before you begin your program
    • Stock holdings or investment portfolios if accompanied by documents indicating accessibility of funds
    • Internet statements
    Documents not accepted
    • Credit card statements or credit card overdraft letters
    • ATM (Automated Teller Machine) receipts
    • Declarations of earnings or potential earnings
    • Tax returns
    • Payroll records
    Retain Your Original Documents

    Keep original financial documents for your personal records and to present as required (e.g., US embassy/consulate, US port-of-entry, etc.).

    2024-2025 UC Costs

    Undergraduate Estimated Costs

    UC Campus 1 Quarter
    or
    1 Semester    		 2 Quarters 3 Quarters or 2 Semesters
    (Academic Year-9 months)    		 Calendar Year
    (12 months)
    Berkeley† $12,729 --- $25,458 $32,658
    Davis $8,500 $17,000 $25,500 $34,000
    Irvine* $7,667 $15,333 $23,000 $30,667
    Los Angeles* $7,500 $15,000 $22,500 $30,000
    Merced†   $10,751 --- $21,502 $24,536
    Riverside $8,539 $17,077 $25,616 $31,924
    Santa Barbara* $7,000 $14,000 $21,000 $28,000
    Santa Cruz $9,411 $18,822 $28,233 $37,644
    San Diego $7,890 $15,860 $23,470 $31,560

    * Amounts do not include the cost of mandatory UC student health insurance.

    †Semester Campus

    Graduate Estimated Costs

    UC Campus 1 Quarter
    or
    1 Semester    		 2 Quarters 3 Quarters or 2 Semesters
    (Academic Year-9 months)
    Berkeley*† $15,678 --- $31,356
    Davis* $10,250 $20,500 $30,750
    Irvine $7,333 $14,667 $22,000
    Los Angeles $7,500 $15,000 $22,500
    Merced*† $6,641 --- $13,282
    Riverside* $9,366 $18,733 $28,099
    Santa Barbara $7,000 $14,000 $21,000
    Santa Cruz $11,063 $22,125 $33,188
    San Diego* $10,721 $21,242 $31,763

    *Amounts include the cost of mandatory UC student health insurance.

    †Semester campus

    Campus-Required Minimum Monthly Living Expenses

    UC Campus Single With Spouse With Spouse and 1 Child With Spouse and 2 Children
    Berkeley $2,000 $2,600 $3,000 $3,400
    Davis* $2,000 $2,600 $2,900 $3,200
    Irvine $2,400 $3,000 $3,600 $4,200
    Los Angeles $2,525 $3,025 $3,247 $3,469
    Merced* $1,800 $2,300 $2,600 $2,900
    Riverside* $1,700 $2,200 $2,400 $2,600
    San Diego* $2,400 $3,200 $3,600 $4,000
    San Francisco $3,141 $3,516 $3,891 $4,266
    Santa Barbara* $2,800 $3,300 $3,800 $4,300
    Santa Cruz* $2,200 $3,400 $4,100 $4,800

    *Amounts include the cost of UC health insurance.

    Summer Estimated Costs

    UC Campus Expense
    UC Berkeley $6,300
    UC Los Angeles $4,650