Flex MBA | Financial Aid and Tuition

Financial Aid and Tuition More than 90 percent of Merage School students receive scholarships. Explore these options below.

We're here to help! Read below to learn more about your financial aid options and cost of attendance.

 

Tuition and Resources

Tuition:

Tuition for Fall 2024 will be set by the Regents of the University of California in Spring/Summer 2024. The total program cost for the Fall 2023 Flex MBA class (9 quarters) was $117,416. As a Flex MBA student, you will participate in three residentials, including an optional international residential. Tuition includes instruction, fees and logistics costs for in-person residentials. The tuition, fees and charges posted to your billing statement or account are estimates based on currently approved amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by state funding reductions. Final approved levels and your final balance due may differ from the amounts show.

Click here to view the breakdown of 2023-2024 fee assessments.

Federal and Private Loans:

US citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal need-based financial aid in the form of student loans to cover all educational expenses including tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel and miscellaneous expenses up to the cost of attendance. In order to be considered for federal financial aid as a graduate student, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and request that your information be sent to the University of California, Irvine, school code 001314Once you have received your Financial Aid Award Notification, you need to go to the UCI financial aid website and select 'SIGN IN' in the top right-hand corner to complete the process.

There are a number of lenders who provide private loans. UCI has developed a system-wide private loan lender list that is based solely on factors related to the borrower’s best interest. To begin your search, enter "University of California, Irvine" in the School field and select "Graduate Business" from the drop down menu.

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Additional Scholarships

All candidates are considered for scholarships based on the qualitative and quantitative components of your application. In addition, candidates that hold progressive experience or accomplishments within certain industries (Real Estate, etc.) may be considered for specialized scholarships offered through our Centers of Excellence.

The Flex MBA admissions team has also gathered a number of public, private and agency scholarships for your convenience. We have no connection to or commitment from any of these agencies, but depending on your personal situation and interest, these may be useful to you in financing your MBA. Check with your admissions advisor to request this list.

There are several private loan options available for our international graduate students. International students interested in applying for a private loan may view the UCI private loan lender list that is based solely on factors related to the borrower’s best interest. To begin your search, enter "University of California, Irvine" in the School field and select "International" from the drop down menu.

The Paul Merage School of Business appreciates the service of US military and veterans

Q.

Must I be accepted for admission before I apply for financial aid?

A.

No. You may apply for financial aid as early as December 2023 for the next school year.

Q.

Is my enrollment deposit applied toward my fees?

A.

Yes, your enrollment deposit will appear as a credit toward your first quarter registration fees.

Q.

How do I pay my registration fees?

A.

UC Irvine’s official billing statement, the ZOT Bill, will be e-mailed to you prior to the beginning of each quarter. Your ZOT bill will indicate the quarterly tuition, the due date and any financial aid credit(s) which may be applied to your account. Tuition will be paid automatically for students who receive financial aid that covers the full cost of tuition and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 units.

The university also offers a variety of payment options, from easy and secure online payments to a plan that allows you to pay in installments.

Q.

Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?

A.

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA and/or private loan application each new academic year.

Q.

How will I know if my financial aid application file is complete?

A. Please go to UCI financial aid website and select 'SIGN IN' in the top right-hand corner to complete the process
Q.

When will I receive my financial aid award?

A.

If you have been awarded a scholarship, you will be notified in your Letter of Admission. We begin emailing all other financial aid award notifications in June. When you receive your financial aid award email depends on your admission date and when you completed your financial aid file.

Q.

What if I borrow more than my tuition? 

A.

You may use funds in excess of your tuition to pay for indirect educational costs such as living expenses, books, supplies, etc. After your aid has been applied toward your tuition fees, any remaining financial aid will be disbursed to you on the first day of the quarter. Federal regulations do not allow UCI to disburse the funds prior to the beginning of each quarter. You can request the funds be electronically deposited by providing your bank account information at Electronic Refunds (DEFT) on your ZOT account.

To connect with the Merage School Financial Aid office, please contact: meragefinaid@uci.edu. The Merage School Financial Aid office supports students entering and within the business school.

State of California Disclosure: Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.

Students considering student loans need to be aware of the differences between federal student loans and private student loans:

  • Federal student loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options including, but not limited to, income-based and income-contingent repayment plans, as well as loan forgiveness benefits that private lenders are not required to provide.
  • Federal direct loans are available to most students regardless of income. Other qualification criteria do apply. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility.
  • Private student loan lenders can offer variable interest rates that can increase or decrease over time depending on market conditions.
  • The interest rate on a private loan may depend on the borrower's and/or co-signer's credit rating.
  • Private student loans have a range of interest rates and fees and students should determine the interest rate of, and any fees associated with, the private student loan included in their financial aid award package before accepting the loan. Students should contact the lender of the private student loan or their financial aid office if they have any questions about a private student loan.