Financing your education can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We offer a variety of financial and tuition assistance resources designed to help you manage costs, access funding opportunities, and make informed decisions. Below is a roadmap to the support available—scholarships, tax credits, veteran benefits, workforce-development funding, and promotional policies—along with links to detailed guidance. Use these resources to explore what fits your unique situation and reach out to our advisors when you need help.
Discounts and Special Promotions
We offer special promotions and discounts throughout the year for current students, alumni, and corporations. These opportunities are designed to support your personal, educational, and professional growth—so you can focus on building your future.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Many employers invest in their workforce by offering tuition assistance or reimbursement for job-related education. If your company provides this benefit, we can work directly with you and your employer to make the payment process simple and seamless.
Students using employer funding may either pay upfront and seek reimbursement from their employer or coordinate direct payment from the company to UCR University Extension via a Purchase Order (PO). We recommend checking with your HR or benefits department to confirm your organization’s policies and any required documentation before enrolling.
Scholarships & Grants
We offer a variety of scholarships and grant opportunities designed to support continuing education students. Awards may be based on academic merit, financial need, field of study, or community engagement, and can help reduce the overall cost of your program.
Student Loans
While UCR University Extension is not eligible to accept federal FAFSA funding, students may qualify for private education loans to help cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other approved living expenses.
We do not endorse or recommend any specific lender. In addition to the lenders listed in the Student Loan Application Portal, we encourage you to check with your bank or credit union to see if they offer continuing education loans. Be sure to carefully review all terms and conditions before applying — loans are issued by the lending institution, not UC Riverside Extension.
We will work with any student loan lender. However, we have established relationships with certain lenders, which may help speed up loan certification and disbursement.
How It Works
- Apply Early – Begin your loan application as soon as possible. Loan approval and disbursement can take up to 4 weeks, and course spaces are not reserved until payment is received. Be sure to use our school code, 00131699, when applying through any lender in the Student Loan Application Portal. This helps ensure your loan is matched to your enrollment.
- Get Approved – Once your loan is approved and reaches “pending institution response” status, please wait two business days before contacting our loan representative at (951) 827-4105. This allows our admin portal time to receive the certification request from your lender.
- Loan Disbursement – Loan checks are made payable to the student and sent to UCR University Extension. Upon receipt, the funds will be applied toward outstanding tuition fees.
- Refunds of Remaining Funds – If loan funds exceed your balance, you’ll receive an automated receipt. To request a refund of the remaining amount, email refunds-cancellations@ucx.ucr.edu with your name, address, and refund amount. Refund processing takes approximately 6-8 weeks. Once your email submission is received, our finance department will email you the steps needed to complete the Supplier Setup process, allowing our accounting team to issue your refund.
Before applying, review the University of California Code of Conduct Regarding Preferred Lender Arrangements to understand your rights and responsibilities.
For questions or assistance with the loan process, contact Student Services at (951) 827-4105 or register@ucx.ucr.edu.
Tax Credits & Education Benefits
UCR Extension students may qualify for federal education tax credits through the Taxpayer Relief Act (TRA), including:
- Hope Scholarship Credit
- Lifetime Learning Credit
These credits can help offset qualified education expenses for you, your spouse, or dependents. Because tax situations vary, consult a professional tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education.
For additional information regarding potential education tax benefits, including eligibility, contact your tax consultant or preparer, or visit www.tsc1098t.com and www.irs.gov.
Tuition Assistance
You may be eligible for tuition assistance programs that help cover the cost of continuing education at UCR University Extension. These programs support individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or facing financial hardship, and may fund tuition and related expenses like parking.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) of California and local Workforce Development Boards offer federal assistance programs for qualified students. If approved, funds are applied directly toward course costs.
To determine your eligibility, contact one of the following:
- County of San Bernardino, Workforce Development Department: (800) 451-5627
- Employment Development Department: (951) 955-3100
Funding eligibility must be determined prior to enrolling or participating in any course.
Veterans & Military Benefits
If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or eligible dependent, we can help you apply for educational benefits such as the GI Bill or Yellow Ribbon Program. Our team can assist you in applying for and certifying your education benefits so you can focus on your studies.
Workforce & WIOA-Approved Programs
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides federal funding to help eligible individuals access education and job training that leads to stable, in-demand careers. If you’ve experienced a job loss, career change, or need new skills to advance in your current role, you may qualify for tuition assistance through California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). For approved students, WIOA funds can help cover tuition, parking, and certificate fees for eligible UCR University Extension programs.
Supplemental Job Displacement Vouchers (SJDV)
Individuals who have received a Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher (SJDV) through Workers’ Compensation may be eligible to use their voucher toward UCR Extension certificate programs.
SJDVs are typically issued as part of a work-related injury settlement and commonly total $6,000, which may include designated amounts for technology purchases and optional job-counseling services. UCR Extension assists only with the portion of the voucher that can be applied to tuition and fees; all other voucher components should be discussed directly with your Case Worker.
To get started, please contact Student Services at register@ucx.ucr.edu or (951) 827-4105 and provide a copy of your SJDV. Our team will review your voucher and confirm program and tuition/fee eligibility in collaboration with the Case Worker listed on your form.
Have Questions?
Our Student Services team is here to support you. Contact us at (951) 827-4105 or register@ucx.ucr.edu for guidance on which financial options may be right for you.