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     USS Equity Grant

    Grant Description

    The purpose of the USS Equity Grant is to remove financial barriers that keep undocumented students from participating in opportunities that support their professional development, preparation for graduate school, and leadership development.  

    Read application thoroughly. Failure to follow instructions may lead to delays or ineligibility.

    * In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.

    All eligible students are encouraged to apply. The Equity Grant does not consider race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories as part of the application and selection process. 

    More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

    More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.

  • What is covered and what is not covered:

    Expenses Covered Expenses not covered
    • Graduate school application fees (max. 3 per academic year) 
    • Graduate school test preparation course (max. 1 program per academic year)
    • Graduate school exam fees (GRE, LSAT MCAT etc.) (max. 1 program per academic year)
    • Graduate School Test Preparation Materials. See the message below. 
    • Professional conference attendance fees
    • UCSD extension courses geared toward professional development, grad school test prep courses, or leadership development
    • Laptops or ipads/tablets
    • Professional clothing attire
    • Professional headshots or pictures
    • Degree-related expenses such as student fees, tuition, and books/materials for classes are not covered.
    • Professional conference travel expenses (lodging, travel, and meals). 
    • Expenses for activities taking place in future academic years.
    • Expenses purchased prior to application approval (i.e. no retroactive reimbursements)

  • When is the Equity Grant available:

    - Application should be completed to cover expenses taking place within the 2025-26 academic year. This academic year ends June 12, 2026. Keep in mind the application for the 25-26 Equity Grant closes on May 22, 2026, so the application must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the end of the academic year.                                                                                       

     - All professional development activities need to take place and be purchased while the student maintains active status (evidenced by enrollment) with the university. Graduating students must use funding by graduation date.                                                                      

    - Activity(s) to be covered must take place within the academic term when the application is submitted. For example, an application submitted in the Winter quarter must be for an expense taking place in the Winter quarter. Exception: Students enrolled in the Spring quarter can participate in Professional Development activities in the Summer so long as they are still a student for the following academic year and submit their application before the deadline. 

    How much does the grant cover?

    - Eligible students may receive up to $500 in aid per academic year as long as funding remains available.

    - Students may use the full $500 at once or in pieces. For example, a student may be granted $250 in the fall quarter to cover graduate application fees and $250 in the spring to cover the cost of a GRE prep course. 

    Professional Development Activities: 

    Conference Registration Fees: 

    - These expense(s) are covered on behalf of the student.

    - Students do not receive the money, instead, one of our team members schedules a meeting with the student to pay for the expenses on their behalf.

    - You will receive a decision email from our team stating if you were approved or denied for the Equity Grant.

    - If approved, a meeting to pay for the activity is required, so students should consider activities that do not have short deadlines since staff may not be able to meet right away.

    - We recommend scheduling the meeting at least 2 weeks before the deadline - we will not rush applications/meetings to meet deadlines. 

    Graduate School Preparation/Exams:

    - These expense(s) are covered on behalf of the student.

    - Students do not receive the money, instead, one of our team members schedules a meeting with the student to pay for the expenses on their behalf.

    - You will receive a decision email from our team stating if you were approved or denied for the Equity Grant.

    - If approved, a meeting to pay for the activity is required, so students should consider activities that do not have short deadlines since staff may not be able to meet right away.

    - We recommend scheduling the meeting at least 2 weeks before the deadline - we will not rush applications/meetings to meet deadlines.

  • You qualify for the grant if you meet all eligibility requirements: 

    • An undergraduate or graduate student with current enrollment at UC San Diego for the current academic year in which you apply. UC San Diego Extended Studies student are not eligible to apply. 
    • Ineligible for federal financial aid (e.g., Pell Grants, Direct Loans). 
    • Have AB 540 California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption. 
    • Have a California Dream Act (CADAA) Application on file. 
    • Demonstrate sufficient financial need. 

  • Student information

    Double check that the information provided is accurate. 

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  • Proof of Financial Aid

    Please upload a screenshot of your current financial aid package to the link below.

    Here is a tutorial showing how to access your financial aid package!

    Note: In order to evaluate your application you must upload a screenshot of your current financial aid package.

  • Request Narrative

    Provide a narrative thoroughly describing how the activity supports your professional development, graduate school preparation, or leadership development. Please take the time to write a few sentences.

    Note: If you are seeking for more than one activity to be covered you will need to submit a separate application for each unless there is a direct relationship between the multiple activities (e.g., the coat of the GRE exam and the fee to send the exam scores to schools).  

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  • Request Details

  • Test prep options we recommend

    If you are requesting the funds to cover the cost of a test prep course but not sure what your options are, check out this list of test prep options we have curated for you.

    In addition, we offer different packages of test prep books and materials for the LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc. If you are interested in these packages, please click the option down below or email us at undoc@ucsd.edu letting us know you are interested. 

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  • Data Protections

    We take privacy seriously. Information provided on this form will not be shared with government agencies, including immigration enforcement agencies, unless required by law or for internal reporting purposes.

  • Program Agreement

    The funding used for this program requires that it be used to support the professional development and career readyness needs of UC San Diego students who identify as a recipient of AB 540, CA Dream Act, and/or AB 132) .

    By checking the box below you consent to use the funding provided, if any is provided to you, for the purpose intended by the grant. 

  • Hit submit to finish your application.

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