UC Davis 101

• Where will my student live?

• More than 90 percent of freshmen and 30 percent of transfer students live on campus for the first year in our residence halls for their first year, which offer social and academic support, as well as award-winning dining services. UC Davis guarantees on-campus housing to all incoming first-year freshmen and transfer students. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UC Davis may withdraw or amend this guarantee in the case of public health guidance or other extenuating circumstances.

• What is UC Davis really like?
• UC Davis combines the rigorous academics of a top five public research university with a collaborative approach, comprehensive support resources and a welcoming college town atmosphere where students make up approximately half of the population. The Davis area has a lower cost of living than most other UCs, and it’s free to get around with a bicycle or via our student-run Unitrans bus system. We have state-of-the-art facilities set around a spacious central campus, with plenty of green outdoor spaces and a friendly Northern California feel. And when students are ready to go home for the holidays, the Amtrak train station is right downtown or they can use the Yolobus stop at the Memorial Union to get to Sacramento International Airport
• Where will my student eat?
• First-year students living on and off campus eat in our dining commons, which feature produce grown on our student farm and dishes prepared in-house with ingredients from local farms. You’re even invited to submit your favorite family recipes to the chefs! The student-run Coffee House is another popular option for students living on and off campus, as well as a variety of international markets, grocery chains and restaurants throughout the community.
• How do UC Davis students get involved and connected?
• Students can easily get involved in campus life through residence hall activities, intramural and club sports, study groups, student-focused support centers or through one of our 800+ student organizations.
  
  Living in the residence halls is a great way to quickly connect with a group of like-minded students who will become lifelong friends. Students also have access to a wealth of community-focused academic and enrichment services, including the Student Disability Center; Student Recruitment and Retention Center; Cross Cultural Center; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center; AB540 and Undocumented Student Center; Transfer and Reentry Center; Veterans Success Center; and more. There are many communities for your student to connect with!

Next steps

• Where do I find important dates and deadlines for my student’s enrollment?
• Important dates and deadlines for incoming first-year freshmen and transfer students are publicly viewable online. Your student can also view this same information through their secure MyAdmissions portal, where they can track completion and receive guidance to complete required pre-enrollment tasks. Going to college is an important step in your student’s independence, and you will need to work with them as only they can access secure sites like MyAdmissions, MyAwards and MyBill.
• How will my student get oriented to campus?
• After submitting their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), your student will begin their in-depth, three-part orientation experience, beginning with Aggie 101:
  
  1) Aggie 101, prepares your student for the following other orientation segments and can be completed online shortly after the SIR deadline.
  2) Aggie Advising will help students plan their class schedule and register for fall classes. Students must complete Aggie 101 before scheduling their Aggie Advising appointment. We recommend completing this before their scheduled registration window (see freshman or transfer dates).
  3) Aggie Orientation comprises the five days of on-campus activities designed to familiarize your student with campus just before school starts.
  
  All new students are expected to participate in all three parts of orientation in the order shown. Families and supporters can also participate in Aggie Parent & Family Orientation.
• Will my student need a computer?
• Yes. UC Davis encourages each student to own a computer that meets minimum performance standards. Students who have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CDAA) and are eligible for financial aid may also be eligible for a one-time computer purchase loan of up to $2,500. The UC Davis Stores TechHub sells computers that meet the recommended specifications. The TechHub also offers discounted pricing and computer repair services.
• What if my student wants to change their major?
• We love to see students thrive on campus as they find their life’s passion. Sometimes, this self-discovery leads to a change in academic focus. That’s okay! At UC Davis, changing a major is easy with guidance, and freshman students who do so within the first two years can usually still meet their expected graduation date.

Financial aid

• I don’t understand my student’s financial aid award letter, what can I do?
• We are here to help! Tutorial videos show you and your student how to access MyAwards and understand the different types of financial aid that may be included in your student’s award.
  
  Sample award packages reflect financial aid awards for students from a range of family situations. Your student can view and accept their financial aid award in MyAwards.
• My student didn’t apply for financial aid. Can they still get financial aid?
• After the March 2 priority filing deadline, eligible students can still apply for financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), as some forms of financial aid may still be available. International students may be eligible for scholarships, alternative loans and short-term loans.
• What is contained in my student’s financial aid award letter? 
• Your student’s award letter shows how much financial aid is being offered for their first year, how the award was calculated, the type of aid offered and how much you can expect to pay for academic and living expenses over the coming year.
• What are the different types of financial aid offered?
• Your student’s award letter may include the following types of aid:
  “Grants” are need-based awards that do not need to be repaid.
  “Scholarships” are awards, often based on academic merit or personal characteristics, that do not need to be repaid.
  “Loans” refer to aid that requires repayment with interest.
  “Work-Study” is need-based financial aid earned through employment.
  
  Remember, dates and deadlines matter! To accept the financial aid offer, all requirements must be completed by the posted deadlines. Most campus-based scholarships listed on the UC application will be awarded in mid to late summer. Be sure to check our financial aid website for important dates and information.

Wellness and safety

• Will my student be safe at UC Davis?

• Both campus and the city of Davis have a communal, small-town atmosphere where the safety of the entire university community is a top priority. UC Davis has a comprehensive emergency management program and its own full-service police and fire departments, which use a special alerting system to provide timely information to faculty, staff and students. The campus Safe Rides program offers students a free, secure ride home (in a clearly marked security vehicle) within campus from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m., and from campus into the city of Davis after 10 p.m. For security purposes, access to the residence halls requires an AggieCard ID. Learn more about campus security.

• What if my student is having trouble adjusting? 

• Support is available throughout campus for whatever challenges your student is having, from homesickness or identity to financial or academic concerns. Aggie Compass helps address a wide range of basic life needs such as food and shelter. Financial Aid advisors are available year round to help students learn about smart money management and address financial hurdles. First-Year Aggie Connections program groups first-year freshmen and transfer students into 25-person “connections” based on a shared purpose, interest or theme. Academic advisors offer support and direction, and the Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers can help with tutoring, study skills and more. Students in need of wellness counseling are eligible for confidential, short-term therapy at no charge. Part of the college experience is developing the confidence to ask for help; encourage your student to take advantage of these resources, and to attend professor office hours.

• How will I know if my student is on track to complete their degree?

• Keep in close contact with your student so you know how they are doing. Privacy laws prevent the university from discussing confidential student records, such as academic progress and health care information, with families unless officially authorized by the student. UC Davis Parent and Family Programs can help parents and guardians who are concerned about their student’s well-being.

• What health care services are available at UC Davis?

• Through Student Health and Counseling Services, UC Davis students can receive primary and specialty care, clinical support, and pharmacy, optometry, nutrition and counseling services. The Sutter Davis Hospital, with urgent care and emergency services, is just a 10-minute drive from campus.

• Is health insurance mandatory for my student?

• All UC Davis students must have health insurance and are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). Students already covered by comparable health insurance can apply for a UC SHIP waiver.
  
  Remember! Insurance waivers must be submitted before the start of each academic year by posted deadlines.

Parent participation

• How can I learn more about campus resources and supporting my student?
• Parents and families can access Aggie 101 by creating a guest account and learning about campus resources and opportunities for students. We strongly encourage you to participate in Aggie Parent & Family Orientation or Aggie Plática Familiar to learn about key dates and resources that will help you support your student throughout their college experience.
• How can I stay connected to my student and to UC Davis?

• We recommend that you stay in close contact with your student as they develop their independence. We encourage parents to join the UC Davis Parent and Family Network on Facebook. Parents should also watch their email for “In the Know,” a monthly parent e-newsletter. Attending a student send-off event in August or September will help you meet other parents from your area. You might also want to attend other parent and university events such as Homecoming, Parent and Family Weekend, and Picnic Day.

• Does UC Davis have a parent association I can join?

• Of course! The Aggie Parent and Family Association offers a variety of benefits and connections for members, as well as ways to get involved. You can contact our Parent Programs office at parentprograms@ucdavis.edu or 530-752-0286.