10/14/2026
California parents, UC just raised the free-tuition line.
If your family earns $100,000 or less, your student will most likely pay $0 in UC tuition. Last year the cutoff was $80,000.
UC calls this Blue and Gold. Tuition runs $15,588 a year for students starting in 2026-27. Over four years, you keep more than $62,000.
What to know before you count on the money:
- Covers tuition at all nine UC campuses, Berkeley to Merced
- Does not cover housing, food, or books
- No separate application
- File the FAFSA (or CA Dream Act App) by March 2, 2027
- Confirm your high school sent your studentโs Cal Grant GPA
- Your student still has to show financial need, so assets matter
Earn more than $100,000? Californiaโs Middle Class Scholarship reaches families up to $250,000. Same form, same deadline.
After eighteen successful years and $80M+ in scholarships, I watch the same thing every spring. Families lose money over one form or one missed date.
Want to know where your family stands? Comment โUCโ or book a free 20-minute Clarity Call. https://collegereadyplan.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=oct2026