Native American Opportunity Plan

The University of California's Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees are fully covered for California students who are also enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes. This plan applies to eligible undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for the Fall and/or Spring semesters. Native American Opportunity Plan does not cover summer session tuition and fees.

Plan Overview

Students eligible for the Native American Opportunity Plan will have in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees fully covered by either UC financial aid or another federal, state or other financial aid program.

The plan combines all sources of grants, scholarships, tuition and fee specific awards you receive from federal, state, UC, and private sources (e.g. Cal Grant; veteran's tuition benefits; tribal benefits; University, Departmental, or external fellowships; tuition and fee remissions, etc.) to count toward covering your fees.

• If the total of your aid from these sources is more than your UC systemwide tuition and fees, then the Native American Opportunity Plan promise has been satisfied.
• If the total of your aid from these sources does not fully cover your UC systemwide fees, your Native American Opportunity Plan award will make up the difference with UC grant funding.

Students with greater financial need may qualify for even more grant support to help pay other educational expenses (like books, housing, transportation, etc.) and are encouraged to complete a financial aid application .

Note: If you are a member of a tribe that is not federally recognized, additional support may be available through external organizations, including the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria .

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Native American Opportunity Plan, UC Irvine students must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be a current or newly admitted UC Irvine undergraduate, graduate or professional school student;
• Must be a California resident for tuition purposes.
• Must be an enrolled member in a federally recognized Native American, American Indian and/or Alaska Native tribe.
• Must be enrolled in a state-supported, qualifying degree program (i.e., self-supporting and certificate programs do not qualify).
• Undergraduate students must apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Next Steps

1. In order to apply, eligible students should upload any of the following forms of documentation to their ZotAid portal on the Documents tab:

   • Certification of tribal enrollment on tribal letterhead.
   • Enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or official signature of a tribal leader.
   • Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information.
   • Tribal identification card with an enrollment number.
2. Qualified students will be able to view the NAOP award on their financial aid offer in ZotAid once their eligibility is confirmed.

Click here for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.