Regents Scholarship

Selection of Scholars

The Regents Scholarship is a merit-based, rather than need-based, award. Regents Scholars are selected based on their academic achievements and personal accomplishments rather than their financial need. Regents Scholars are generally within the top four percent of the admitted class.

When you file your UC application, you will automatically be entered into consideration for the Regents Scholarship. No supplementary application, letters of recommendation or other materials are required for freshmen applicants; transfer applicants who wish to be considered for the Regents Scholarship must have a 3.80 GPA and must submit a letter of recommendation to be considered (see the UC application for admission and scholarships for details). The Regents Scholarship Advisory Committee reviews selection criteria annually.

Entering freshmen who have been selected to receive the Regents Scholarship will be notified when they receive their offer of admission; entering transfer students will be notified in mid- to late-April. If you have questions about the scholarship program or the UC Davis campus in general, please contact one of the committee members.

Current UC Davis students entering their junior year must complete the Continuing Undergraduate Scholarship application to be considered. This application is available between October and December of the previous year and can be completed online at the Undergraduate Scholarship Office Web site. Continuing junior-level students who have been selected to receive the Regents Scholarship are typically notified in late March or early April. Please contact the Undergraduate Scholarship Office with questions.

Award Amount

New Regents Scholars without financial need (as determined by the UC Davis Financial Aid Office) receive an honorarium. In 2006-07, the amount of the honorarium was $7500, disbursed over three quarters.

Regents Scholars with financial need receive a stipend up to the total cost of attendance for California residents. The stipend is designed to supplement the student's own resources, including savings, summer earnings, parent contributions, federal and state grants and scholarships awarded by other agencies. This award frees Regents Scholars from the necessity of working while enrolled in school and should allow students to graduate without any loan debt.

Scholarship Terms

The Regents Scholarship covers twelve quarters of undergraduate study for freshman recipients and six quarters for new recipients with junior-level standing. The honorarium is awarded annually through the duration of the scholarship, as are the library and priority registration privileges.

In order to continue the scholarship, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25, complete at least 39 units each year and be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student. The Undergraduate Scholarship Office/Regents Scholarship Program monitors eligibility quarterly.

More detailed information on the scholarship and eligibility terms for Regents Scholars is included with each award offer. Copies of this information are available from the Undergraduate Scholarship Office.

Privileges and Perks

If you are selected as a Regents Scholar, you will be afforded certain privileges most other undergraduates are not.

• Priority Registration begins your second quarter on campus. You will be allowed to register for classes before most other undergraduates regardless of your class standing.
• Extended Library Privilege lengthens the usual library loan period from two weeks to the entire quarter. So, instead of returning or renewing your books every 14 days, you’ll have them until the end of the quarter.
• Transcript notation will be placed on your official UC Davis transcript, recording your status as a Regents Scholar.
• Integrated Studies, a residential honors program for first-year students, guarantees space to all Regents Scholars who choose to participate. The oldest such program in the UC system, this intimate community of 114 students allows highly talented and motivated students to live and study together in a supportive academic setting. Find out more about the Integrated Studies Honors program.

Regents Scholars Society

As a Regents Scholar, you may choose to join the UC Davis Regents Scholars Society (RSS), a student organization comprised entirely of Regents Scholars. Established in 2002, the group promotes community, scholarship and service through a variety of activities. Members participate in workshops and other learning opportunities both on campus and throughout the Sacramento area; they also network with scholars from other UC campuses at the annual Regents Scholars Conference. Additionally, RSS students help recruit other Regents Scholars to the UC Davis campus by hosting lunches, guiding tours and serving as panelists at recruitment events.