The University of California Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan makes college more affordable for California residents. The plan helps you cover your UC systemwide tuition and fees if you are a California resident with an annual family income of less than $80,000 a year and are eligible for financial aid.
An Opportunity Like No Other
If you qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, your financial aid awards will include scholarships or grants to cover your UC systemwide tuition and fees. Please note that you cannot receive more awards under the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan than your calculated financial need. Students with greater financial need can qualify for even more grant support to help pay other educational expenses (like books, housing, transportation, etc.).
The plan combines all sources of scholarship and grant awards you receive (federal, state, UC, and private) to count toward covering your fees. If the total of your gift aid from all sources is more than your UC systemwide tuition and fees, then the Blue and Gold promise as been satisfied. However, if the total of your gift aid from all sources don’t fully cover your UC systemwide fees, your Blue and Gold award will make up the difference with UC grant money.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What is the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan?
The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is a University of California award that helps students cover their UC systemwide tuition and fees up to their calculated financial need.
2. Does Blue and Gold take into account all of my financial awards?
Yes. If, for example, you receive a Pell Grant, a Cal Grant, and private scholarships that don't fully cover your UC systemwide tuition and fees, your Blue and Gold award will make up the difference with UC grant money.
3. How do I know if I qualify?
If you qualify for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, your financial aid awards will include scholarships or grants to cover your UC systemwide tuition and fees. Please note that you cannot receive more awards under the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan than your calculated financial need. If the sum total of all of your grant aid exceeds the amount of UC systemwide tuition and fees, your Blue and Gold promise has been satisfied.
4. If I am eligible, when will I receive my award?
Blue and Gold awards are calculated as part of your original financial aid package. If you receive additional gift aid from an outside source after the Blue and Gold gift aid has been added to your awards, your awards from UC may be reduced.
5. Who is eligible for Blue and Gold?
To be eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan:
Meet all other financial aid deadlines and criteria, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Be classified as a California resident, or be eligible for an AB 540 waiver.
Have financial need (as determined for federal need-based aid programs).
Be enrolled at least half-time and not in default on student loans.
Have annual income below $80,000 as determined for federal need-based aid programs. This is a measure of parents' income for dependent students. It is a measure of student's (and spouse's, if applicable) income for independent students.
Be in the first four years (two, if a transfer student) of your undergraduate attendance.