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πŸ’° University of California-Santa Cruz Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
26
Automatic
12
In-State Awards
$100-$68,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$100-$100,000/yr
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
Requirements vary by scholarship
Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on University of California-Santa Cruz's website
Visit School Website β†’

βœ“ Automatic Scholarships (12)

Automatically awarded based on academic criteria - no separate application required.

Campus Merit - Entering transfers
Award
$3,000/yr in-state
$3,000/yr out-of-state
Beginning 2026-27, award amounts are $3,000 per year and renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met. For first-year freshmen, that totals $12,000 paid over 4 years. For entering transfers, that totals $6,000 paid over 2 years. For prior year recipients, the award amount is $2,000.
Campus Merit - First-year freshman
Award
$3,000/yr in-state
$3,000/yr out-of-state
Beginning 2026-27, award amounts are $3,000 per year and renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met. For first-year freshmen, that totals $12,000 paid over 4 years. For entering transfers, that totals $6,000 paid over 2 years. For prior year recipients, the award amount is $2,000.
Campus Merit - Prior year recipients
Award
$2,000/yr in-state
$2,000/yr out-of-state
Beginning 2026-27, award amounts are $3,000 per year and renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met. For first-year freshmen, that totals $12,000 paid over 4 years. For entering transfers, that totals $6,000 paid over 2 years. For prior year recipients, the award amount is $2,000.
Deans' Award - First-year (total)
Award
$12,000-$100,000/yr out-of-state
For first-year students, awards range from $12,000 2 $100,000, paid evenly over four years ($3,000 2 $25,000 per year). For transfer students, awards range from $6,000 2 $42,000, paid evenly over 2 years ($3,000 2 $21,000 per year). The award is intended to offset the non-resident tuition and will be discontinued if the student becomes a California resident.
Deans' Award - Transfer (total)
Award
$6,000-$42,000/yr out-of-state
For first-year students, awards range from $12,000 2 $100,000, paid evenly over four years ($3,000 2 $25,000 per year). For transfer students, awards range from $6,000 2 $42,000, paid evenly over 2 years ($3,000 2 $21,000 per year). The award is intended to offset the non-resident tuition and will be discontinued if the student becomes a California resident.
General campus scholarship range (annual)
Award
$250-$10,000/yr in-state
$250-$10,000/yr out-of-state
UC Santa Cruz Scholarships range from $250 to $10,000 per year. (The average award is about $1,500.)
Merit and restricted scholarship upper range
Award
UC Santa Cruz Scholarships range from $250 to $10,000 per year. (The average award is about $1,500.)
Pister Award (total)
Award
$20,000/yr in-state
One or more students from each college are selected to receive the award, which provides $20,000 in total support$10,000 per year for two years. Additionally, Pister Scholars receive priority enrollment.
Regents Scholarship (annual)
Award
$5,000/yr in-state
$5,000/yr out-of-state
Award amounts are $5,000 per year and renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met. For first-year freshmen, that totals $20,000 paid over 4 years. For entering transfers totaling $10,000 over 2 years. In addition to a monetary award, scholars receive priority enrollment and are eligible for a housing guarantee, provided all housing requirements and deadlines are met.
Regents Scholarship (four-year total for freshmen)
Award
$20,000/yr in-state
$20,000/yr out-of-state
Award amounts are $5,000 per year and renewable as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is met. For first-year freshmen, that totals $20,000 paid over 4 years. For entering transfers totaling $10,000 over 2 years. In addition to a monetary award, scholars receive priority enrollment and are eligible for a housing guarantee, provided all housing requirements and deadlines are met.
Sabatte Family Scholarship (annual amount)
Award
$9,000-$17,000/yr in-state
This prestigious scholarship ensures high-merit students with financial need are fully funded after other grants and scholarships. It is considered a full ride scholarship, so that students financial aid packages are comprised solely of gift aid to cover the [cost of attendance] during the academic year. Award amounts vary annually and range from $9,000 to $17,000. Over the four years, the total value range is $36,000 to $68,000.
Sabatte Family Scholarship (four-year total)
Award
$36,000-$68,000/yr in-state
This prestigious scholarship ensures high-merit students with financial need are fully funded after other grants and scholarships. It is considered a full ride scholarship, so that students financial aid packages are comprised solely of gift aid to cover the [cost of attendance] during the academic year. Award amounts vary annually and range from $9,000 to $17,000. Over the four years, the total value range is $36,000 to $68,000.

πŸ“ Other Scholarships (14)

Chancellor's Award (per recipient)
From the Deans Award recipient list, the Chancellors Award recognizes the top three students from each division. These students are given an additional $500 award.
Dean's Award (per recipient)
In late spring, fifty undergraduate students, ten from each of the five academic divisions, receive the Deans Award of $100 for outstanding achievement in their division.
Delta Kappa Gamma Award (approx.)
The local chapter in Santa Cruz grants scholarships to assist students... One roughly $600 award is made in the final summer quarter.
Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship (annual)
Award: Up to $2,000
Goldwater Scholarship (annual maximum)
The Barry M. Goldwater Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding undergraduates... Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
John Halverson Scholarship (annual)
Scholarship Award: $3,500 per year* \n\n*The selected student will be awarded the scholarship for four years, with the option to extend to a fifth year, dependent upon demonstrated academic progress. \n\n**The award will be renewed up to $3,500 annually dependent on satisfactory academic progress and demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Dream application each year.
Kathryn Cheney Merriam Scholarship (approx.)
The scholarship provides about $1,000 for a graduate student with financial need in the M.A./C program during their final summer quarter.
Marilyn C. & Raymond E. Davis Memorial Scholarship (annual)
The Marilyn C. and Raymond E. Davis Memorial Scholarship is a funding opportunity ranging from $500 to $1,500.
Matthew Graviano Memorial Scholarship (annual)
Scholarship Award: $2000
Michele Guard Memorial Scholarship (annual)
Scholarship Award: $600 2 $1,200
Nancy Matlock Scholarship (approx.)
The roughly $1,000 award is based on academic merit and financial need.
Richard and Cindy Morley Award (approx.)
The award is based on financial need and academic merit and provides about $600 to two or more students each year.
Robert Dodge Student Service Award (per award)
Scholarship Award: $1,000
Student Research Project Funding (per award)
Scholarship Award: Up to $500

πŸ’‘ Tip: Check application deadlines carefully. Contact the school's financial aid office for current information.

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