Can I appeal UC financial aid when two kids attending? Only got one Middle Class Scholarship

Yes, you absolutely can appeal! I went through this last year when my twins both got into UCs. The process is called a "special circumstances appeal" and each UC handles it differently. You'll need to contact each financial aid office directly. For our situation, we needed to provide: - A detailed letter explaining our circumstances - Proof of both children attending college (acceptance letters, enrollment verification) - Recent pay stubs - Documentation of any unusual expenses (medical bills, etc.) - Our completed FAFSA SAI calculation We were able to get additional grants for both kids after the appeal. Make sure you emphasize that you have two children in college at the same time - this is a legitimate special circumstance they consider.

Yes, you have to appeal to each UC financial aid office separately. The decisions are completely independent - one doesn't affect the other. Make sure you start the process ASAP because it can take several weeks to process.

The whole UC financial aid system is broken!!! I have three kids, two in UCs and one in community college, and they expect us to pay almost $50,000 a year!!! How is that even possible??? The Middle Class Scholarship is a JOKE. It covered like 20% for one kid and nothing for the other. I tried appealing and they basically told me "too bad, so sad." The whole system is rigged against middle class families. Either be super poor or super rich. Anything in the middle and you're SCREWED.

my daughter got into UC santa cruz last yr and we got the middle class scholarship but it only covered like 25% of tuition. we tried calling the financial aid office for weks and couldnt get thru to anyone. so frustrating!!

I work in college financial counseling, and here's what you need to know about UC appeals: 1. Each UC has their own appeal process and forms - check each school's financial aid website 2. The key factor will be the "multiple children in college" circumstance. This doesn't get fully captured in the FAFSA calculation for Middle Class Scholarship eligibility. 3. Appeals for 2025-2026 typically require: - The special circumstances form from each UC - Letter explaining your situation - Documentation of both children's enrollment - Current tax documentation beyond what was on FAFSA - Evidence of expenses (mortgage/rent, medical, etc.) 4. Timeline: Submit ASAP as funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis 5. Be aware that Middle Class Scholarship amounts vary by UC campus and by year depending on state funding The success rate for appeals with multiple children in college is actually quite good compared to other types of appeals. Don't get discouraged!

Appeals can technically be submitted anytime, but I strongly recommend doing it before May 1st (the enrollment deposit deadline). And yes, accept the current package while appealing - you can always decline later if needed, but missing deposit deadlines could cost you the spot altogether.

my son is at UCI too!! we appealed last yr and got an extra $2500 which helped but still not enough tbh. make sure u check out the specific UCI scholarships too sometimes theres money that doesn't show up in the main financial aid pkg

To answer the question about budget breakdowns - yes, absolutely include this! Financial aid officers need to see the gap between your resources and the expected costs. Be specific about monthly expenses like mortgage/rent, utilities, car payments, insurance, groceries, etc. This concrete evidence helps them understand your situation. And regarding specific UC scholarships - each department within each UC often has their own scholarship programs that aren't automatically considered in the main financial aid package. Contact your student's specific college/department (Engineering, Letters & Science, etc.) to ask about additional scholarship opportunities.

I'm in a similar situation with my daughter starting at UC San Diego this fall while my son is already at UC Berkeley. One thing that really helped us was documenting ALL our expenses - not just the obvious ones like mortgage and car payments, but also things like increased grocery costs, medical expenses, and even the transportation costs between campuses for visits. Also, don't forget to mention any changes in your financial situation since you filed the FAFSA - job changes, medical bills, etc. The financial aid offices are more understanding than you might think, especially when you present a clear, organized case. One tip: when you call, ask specifically about the "Professional Judgment" process - that's the official term they use for these appeals, and using the right language sometimes helps get you to the right person faster. Good luck!

I'm new to this whole UC financial aid process and reading through all these responses is both encouraging and overwhelming! My daughter just got accepted to UC Davis and we're definitely in that "middle class squeeze" situation where we make too much for significant aid but not nearly enough to comfortably afford tuition. One thing I'm wondering - for those who successfully appealed, did you work with any kind of financial aid consultant or advisor, or did you handle everything yourselves? I'm worried about making mistakes in the appeal process that could hurt our chances. Also, are there any specific red flags or things NOT to include in the appeal letter that could backfire? Really appreciate all the detailed advice everyone has shared here - it's giving me hope that there might be options we haven't explored yet!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My twins both got into UCs this year - one at UCLA and one at UCSD - and we're facing the same financial nightmare. What I've learned so far is that you definitely need to be proactive and start the appeal process immediately. A few things that have helped me: 1. I created a detailed spreadsheet showing our monthly expenses vs. income to demonstrate the financial gap 2. I gathered enrollment verification letters from both schools to prove we have two kids in college simultaneously 3. I reached out to both financial aid offices early to understand their specific appeal requirements The UCLA financial aid office was actually pretty responsive when I explained our situation with twins in the UC system. They told me that having multiple children in college at the same time is one of the strongest grounds for a successful appeal. One thing I wish I had known earlier - start calling NOW, don't wait. The earlier you get in the appeal queue, the better your chances of getting additional funding before it runs out. And definitely accept your current aid packages while appealing - you can always adjust later but you don't want to lose your spot! Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all in this together!

I'm in the exact same boat with two kids heading to UCs this fall! After reading all these responses, I wanted to add a few things that worked for us during our appeal process: 1. Don't just focus on tuition - include ALL college-related costs in your appeal (room & board, books, transportation, etc.). The total cost of attendance is what really matters. 2. If you have any unusual circumstances beyond just having two kids in college (job loss, medical expenses, caring for elderly parents), definitely include those too. Every bit helps. 3. I found it helpful to call during off-peak hours (early morning or late afternoon) to actually get through to someone at the financial aid offices. 4. Keep detailed records of every conversation - names, dates, what was discussed. This helped when I had to follow up or reference previous conversations. The appeal process can feel overwhelming, but don't give up! We ended up getting an additional $7,000 combined between both kids after appealing. It's not enough to make college "affordable" but every bit helps. The key is being persistent but polite, and presenting your case clearly with solid documentation. Hang in there - you're not alone in this struggle!

I'm currently going through this exact situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far. My daughter is starting at UC Berkeley this fall while my son is already at UC Santa Barbara, and the financial reality hit us hard when we realized we'd be paying nearly $70k per year combined. Here's what has been working for us in the appeal process: 1. I submitted appeals to both schools simultaneously - don't wait to finish one before starting the other. Time is critical since aid is distributed on a first-come basis. 2. The "multiple children in college" circumstance is your strongest argument. Make sure to lead with this in your appeal letter and provide enrollment verification for both kids. 3. I included a detailed cost-of-living analysis specific to California. Housing costs, gas prices, groceries - everything is more expensive here and that context matters. 4. Don't forget about the Cal Grant program in addition to the Middle Class Scholarship. Sometimes students miss out on Cal Grant B even when they qualify. 5. Each UC has slightly different forms and requirements. UC Berkeley wanted more detailed expense documentation while UCSB was more focused on the family size impact. So far, UC Berkeley has indicated they're reviewing our case favorably and we should hear back within 2-3 weeks. The key is being thorough but concise in your documentation and following up appropriately without being pushy. The system definitely isn't perfect for middle-class families, but there ARE options if you're willing to advocate for yourself. Don't give up!

I'm also dealing with this exact situation and wanted to add one more resource that really helped us - the UC system has something called the "Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan" that guarantees to cover systemwide fees for California residents whose family income is below $80,000. But even if you're above that threshold, they sometimes have additional funds available through appeals. What really made a difference for us was being very specific about the timing of our expenses. Since you have two kids starting/continuing at the same time, make sure to emphasize in your appeal letters that this creates an unusual financial burden that wasn't fully captured in the standard FAFSA calculations. Also, don't be afraid to mention if you're considering having one child take a gap year due to financial constraints - financial aid offices often respond more favorably when they understand you're genuinely at risk of not being able to attend due to costs. One last thing - if you have any retirement savings or home equity, be prepared to explain why you can't/shouldn't tap into those funds. They sometimes suggest these as options, but you can make a case for why that would create long-term financial hardship. The process is definitely stressful, but I've seen so many families get meaningful additional aid through appeals. Stay persistent and document everything!

I'm just starting to navigate this same situation with my twins who both got accepted to UCs this year - one to UC Riverside and one to UC Santa Cruz. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly both encouraging and nerve-wracking at the same time! What I'm realizing is that I need to act fast on these appeals. I've been procrastinating because the whole process seemed so intimidating, but seeing that multiple people here have had success with appeals for multiple children in college is giving me the push I need to get started. A few questions for those who've been through this: 1. Is there a particular order I should tackle things in? Should I call both financial aid offices first to understand their processes, or jump straight into gathering documentation? 2. For those who mentioned department-specific scholarships - is this something I should pursue simultaneously with the main financial aid appeal, or focus on one thing at a time? 3. Has anyone had experience specifically with UC Riverside or UC Santa Cruz appeals? I'm wondering if the smaller UCs have different approaches or success rates. I'm also curious about the timeline - for those who were successful, how long did it take from submission to getting additional aid awards? I'm trying to plan out our family budget and would love to have some idea of when we might hear back. Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences - this thread is like a masterclass in UC financial aid appeals that I never knew I needed!