Grant & Scholarships

USRC Grant and Scholarships

We are thrilled to be able to support our scholars financially via our Opportunity Grant and scholarships. The applications for both our grant and scholarships will open and close quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring) until funds are depleted for the academic year. We invite you to read more about our resources in the following sections. Please note our financial resources are subject to change.

For this Fall Quarter 2025 all listed USRC applications below will close on November 14, 2025 at 10 AM. 

Apply to our USRC Grant and Scholarships

Opportunity Grant

The Opportunity Grant helps offset unexpected expenses through basic needs and legal filing fee support - based on financial aid eligibility. Scholars may request up to $1,000 in Opportunity Grant funding for the academic year, which can be used for either Basic Needs or Legal Filing Fees Support, but not both separately. 

We encourage UC Davis California Dream Act Application students enrolled in the current academic period (at least 6 credits/units) and UC Davis students with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office. Please allow up to 5 business days for us to process your application; we will contact you with any additional steps. 

Center Scholarships

Our center scholarships are one-time awards created to honor our undocu-scholars at UC Davis. Scholarship awardees are decided by an external USRC Scholarship Committee composed of UC Davis alumni, campus and community partners. 

Please note that our scholarships are one-time awards, you are no longer eligible to reapply to the same scholarship.

UndocuScholar Award

This is a one-time opportunity for undergraduate/post-baccalaureate UC Davis students to be awarded up to $1,000 to honor stellar academic performance.  

Eligibility Requirements to Apply:

  1. Enrolled in the current academic quarter as a UC Davis student with an AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office
  2. Must have 2.5 cumulative UC Davis GPA or higher
  3. Currently enrolled full-time in classes at UC Davis (12 units minimum)
  4. Have eligible space in your Financial Aid award package to receive this award. For help determining financial aid eligiblity, please set up a meeting with USRC Financial Aid Advisor Leo Flores.

Application Materials

  1. Short answer responses
  2. Copy of Transcript (Unofficial)

Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award 

The Graduate/Professional School Student Support Award is a one-time opportunity for graduate/professional school UC Davis students to be awarded up to $2,000 – based on financial aid eligibility – for academic excellence and/or stellar leadership/community service.  

Eligibility Requirements to Apply:

  • Enrolled in the current academic quarter as an undocumented graduate/professional school UC Davis student with or without AB540 verification and CA Dream Act Application on file with the UC Davis Financial Aid Office
  • Enrolled "full time" as dictated by your program
  • Demonstrate academic excellence, leadership experience, and/or stellar community service.
  • Be in "Good Academic Standing"
  • Students in their first quarter or semester of the program are not eligible for this scholarship, as a UC Davis transcript reflecting enrollment in the program and good academic standing is not yet available. We invite you to apply during our next cycle in January 2026. 

Application Materials: 

  1. Short answer responses
  2. Resume or CV

Other Resources Outside of Our Center

UC Davis Financial Aid Scholarships

Apart from the UC Davis scholarships available for eligible students to apply, the office has a list of Outside Scholarships students can browse through and apply for if eligible. 

Immigrants Rising Fellowships & Scholarships

Immigrants Rising is a renowned non-profit located in the Bay Area. Driven by and for immigrants, they aim to support students in achieving their educational and career goals. Via the following website, Immigrants Rising has compiled lists of fellowships and scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residence status in the United States.