More than $7 million in merit scholarships is available for continuing students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships opened the 2025-26 Continuing Undergraduate Scholarship Application Oct. 1 and offers several online information sessions to help students with the application.

Merit scholarships range from $100 to $16,000 per academic year, said Ron Bynes, assistant director for Undergraduate and Prestigious Scholarships. Most scholarships are for one year only, so students must reapply each year for consideration.

According to Bynes, scholarship criteria vary from scholarship to scholarship. However, merit scholarships do not require students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to be considered.

“A small number of merit scholarships do have a financial need consideration though,” he advised. “So, we recommend students apply for financial aid to maximize their funding options.”

Each student completes just one application to compete for more than 500 awards, Bynes said. The process is fairly simple for students who fulfill three criteria:

• Students need a cumulative UC Davis 3.25 GPA by the end of fall quarter.
• Submit one letter of recommendation from a professor, counselor, teacher or community member who can speak highly of you.
• Plan to enroll for at least two quarters in the next academic year.

Twofold reasons to apply 

Applying for scholarships can result in receiving one; but the application process is also a valuable learning experience, similar to a graduate school or job application process, Bynes said. Applications require a letter of recommendation, a resume and a personal statement. Additional essay questions ask students to provide academic and career goals, as well as share personal experiences.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships application carries over from year to year, so each student updates their responses in the application system in the following years. 

Bynes said his team offers several Sit Down with Scholarships online information sessions to answer student questions and guide them through the application process. While the process is fairly straightforward, he advises students to start soon.

“The letter of recommendation is submitted online by the recommender,” Bynes said. “It’s important to provide your recommender plenty of time to complete the submission.”

Applications close Jan. 8 and the recommendation letter must be submitted by then as well.

“It’s a good idea to begin the process before the Thanksgiving break,” Bynes said. “Trying to complete that process late in the year can be challenging with the holiday breaks.”

Because scholarships are awarded on a merit basis, advisors cannot estimate students’ chances of receiving one or more scholarships.

“There’s no chance at all if you don’t apply,” Bynes said.  And, he added, even a small $100 award can make a difference.

“$100 can buy a lot of Top Ramen,” he joked.

Learn more and register for a remote Sit Down with Scholarships session.