Congratulations on being invited to the Fiat Lux Scholars Program!
We have a dedicated team of program staff that are committed to helping you along your journey at UC Merced.
Here are some tips to navigating your first-year as a first-generation university scholar.
Please feel free to contact us at fiatlux@ucmerced.edu if you have general inquiries about the program.
Admitted Students (Next Steps)
You're on your way to UC Merced! During the next few months, there are some steps you must take before enrolling at UC Merced. This website will take you through the process step-by-step and provide you with the details you need to know to prepare for the upcoming academic year, as well as some general helpful information. Be sure to check out the admitted student events (in-person and virtual), held by UC Merced. You can also find important dates and deadlines for admitted students to help ensure you are meeting UC Merced requirements for enrollment.
Virtual Campus Tour
Explore classroom buildings, housing, the library, the recreation areas, student services buildings, and the vernal pools all here at UC Merced: https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/visit-us/virtual-tour
Bobcat Day
Bobcat Day is a special day for admitted and prospective first year students, transfer students, and their families. Our local community is welcome too. We invite you to attend this special event and explore the UC Merced campus. Learn more about Bobcat Day by visiting: https://admissions.ucmerced.edu/Bobcat_Day
Student Checklist
On your personalized checklist on the UC Merced Connect platform, you can find all of the requirements that you need to complete and the dates they need to be completed by: https://admitted.ucmerced.edu/next-steps
Each student has specific Financial Aid, Admissions, Registration, and Residency Requirements that need to be fulfilled, so your checklist might not look the same as your friend's or classmates. Learn more on how to complete your checklist here: https://admitted.ucmerced.edu/how-to-use-your-student-portal
UC Merced New Student Orientation
Participation in the UC Merced New Student Orientation will enhance social and academic success at UC Merced. Parents and loved ones are also encouraged to register in advance to attend the special programs planned specifically for them, including some in Spanish.
https://orientation.ucmerced.edu/student-orientation/orientation-overview
Students First Center
From admissions to graduation, the Students First Center provides high-quality guidance to UC Merced students, campus constituents and the public - answering specific questions about Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration, and more. You can contact the UC Merced Students First Center at the following link: https://ucmerced.tfaforms.net/218209?tfa_1065=Email&tfa_969=SFC
Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Fiat Lux Scholars Program offers a financial aid package of $100,000 throughout the scholars' four years ($25,000 minimum each academic year in grant and scholarship awards) at UC Merced. Pell Grants and Cal Grants are included in the $25,000 amount being guaranteed to you, as well as any other grants and scholarships you have been packaged with. If you have additional questions about your financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS).
Be sure to check your UC Merced Connect Portal frequently. More information about your Student Account and MyBill can be found here: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/YourAccount. The UC Merced Cost of Attendance (CoA) is located on the Financial Aid website. Estimate your financial aid award with the financial aid net price calculator. You can also check out the Parent Guide here: https://financialaid.ucmerced.edu/parentguide.
Students must complete all the necessary financial aid requirements and deadlines as posted on their Checklist on their MyConnect portal in order to be given our Promise Scholar Guarantee for the Fiat Lux Scholars Program.
Student Business Services
Student Billing Services is responsible for the accurate assessment and billing of tuition and fees, food and housing, and other term-related charges, along with the receipt of student payments and collection of past-due accounts. They also are responsible for processing student/parent refunds and facilitating the timely collection and reporting of student, department and third-party sponsor income.
How to navigate and understand your bill: https://studentbilling.ucmerced.edu/?_gl=1*1nj7f4d*_ga*MTc1ODcyMzQ5My4xN...
Who do I contact if I have questions about the fees on my student account? Contact Student Billing Services (SBS) at 209-228-4114 or at sbs@ucmerced.edu
Cashiers
Cashiering Services is responsible for collecting monies due to the university. This office provides cashiering services to students/parents and ensures payments are received and applied accurately to student accounts in a timely manner. Cashiers also provides services to other stakeholders, which includes receipting of deposits and recording of university monies. You can learn more about UC Merced Cashiering Services at the following website: https://studentbilling.ucmerced.edu/?_gl=1*zh57x3*_gcl_au*MTYxODk4NjQ5Mi...
Housing & Residence Education
As an invited scholar you are required to live in our Fiat Lux Living Learning Community (LLC) in Tenaya Hall for your first year. Interested in knowing what you need to bring when living on campus? Learn more here: https://housing.ucmerced.edu/prospective-students/what-to-bring
Learn about the room layouts and take a tour of the Tenaya Residence Hall here: https://housing.ucmerced.edu/housing/cat
All housing applications are submitted through the Housing Portal. Applications are a two-step process. The first step is submitting your housing application. If you are offered housing, the second step is signing the housing contract. Learn more about Fall housing at the following link: https://housing.ucmerced.edu/fallhousing
You will later be notified by UC Merced Housing on how to proceed with the LLC, the roommate selection process, and move-in dates. Questions about UC Merced Housing? Email housing@ucmerced.edu
Fiat Lux scholars must submit a UC Merced Housing application by the posted Housing deadline in order to be guaranteed on-campus housing in the Fiat Lux LLC: https://ucmerced.starrezhousing.com/StarRezPortalx/Login?returnUrl=%2FSt...
You can visit the following link for frequently asked questions about living on-campus.
Dining Services
Learn about residential meal plans, including unlimited entries into the Pavilion and Yablokoff Wallace Dining Centers, which offer rotating menus of healthy, nutritious meals at a variety of dining stations throughout the day: https://dining.ucmerced.edu/meal-plans/plans/residential-meal-plan
Cat Dollars, a debit system included with each unlimited plan, also give residents the flexibility to purchase food and additional items at campus locations, including Lantern Cafe, Bobcat Snack Stop, the Summits Marketplace, and food trucks visiting campus with their Catcard.
CatCard Services
CatCard is your on-campus identification card, your access to athletics and gyms, the library, residence meal plans, and laundry facilities, photocopy and printing, purchasing textbook and supplies, Cat Track Bus Pass, housing, and academic building access, and more. New students will usually pick-up their CatCard during New Student Orientation at UC Merced, You can learn more about UC Merced CatCard Services by visiting the following website: https://catcard.ucmerced.edu/manage-account/obtain-catcard/new-students
Transportation and Parking Services
Resident parking permits ("H" Zone) are available for students that live on-campus on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in purchasing a parking permit as an on-campus resident at UC Merced, please visit the following website: https://taps.ucmerced.edu/permits/students/campus-residents
If you have further questions about parking permits on campus, please contact the UC Merced Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) office at 209-228-8277 or taps@ucmerced.edu.
Health Services
Health Services provides comprehensive medical, mental health and health promotion services to all registered UC Merced students. Students can use campus medical services just as they would their regular doctor's office. The facility is staffed by board-certified physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and nurses. Students can use all services at the Student Health Center whether or not they have the Student Health Insurance Plan. To start your care, see appointments.
UC Merced Academic Advising
Every student at UC Merced has an assigned academic advisor. Some topics that can be discussed with your academic advisor include: schedule planning, choosing a major or a minor, degree progress, etc.. To learn more about academic advising at UC Merced, click here: https://advising.ucmerced.edu/who-my-academic-advisor?_gl=1*1d7t04l*_gcl...
Student Accessibility Services
The mission of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is to promote equal educational access and full participation by and for students with disabilities in the rich academic and campus life environment at UC Merced. SAS staff are available to answer questions and provide useful information to facilitate equal academic access to students with disabilities. If you have any questions about registering with Student Accessibility Services, please contact the SAS office by email (access@ucmerced.edu) or by phone (209-228-6996).
Office of Information Technology
The primary goal of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at UC Merced is to provide students, faculty, and staff at UC Merced with high quality infrastructure, support, and innovation in the delivery of information technology products and services. We believe that information technology should be an easily accessible and a continually improving resource, flexible enough to support the growing needs of the campus community. Check out the OIT Quick Start Video for more information.
UC Merced Library
Situated in California’s Central Valley, located on the traditional homeland of the Yokuts and Miwuk, and part of the world’s leading public research university system, the UC Merced Library empowers researchers, celebrates our region’s diversity, expands access to information, and fosters student belonging. We provide valuable expertise, advance critical inquiry, invest in collections, preserve unique resources, forge collaborations, and create welcoming space and services. You are welcome to view our New Student Library Orientation Guide.
ASCEND Student Experience
Every Fall, the ASCEND Student Experience is offered to help students with their academic transition to UC Merced. ASCEND provides incoming first-year and transfer students with essential academic skills and an understanding of university expectations, and it connects you with vital campus resources to help you continue your successful transition to life as a Bobcat.
All new UC Merced students are invited to participate in the ASCEND activities during the first two weeks of the Fall semester. Workshop descriptions and details can be found on this page: https://success.ucmerced.edu/ascend
Fiat Lux Scholars Program: 1st Year Requirements
The Fiat Lux Scholars Program is a four-year program and has a set of requirements for scholars to complete each semester per every academic year. You can view these program requirements here and click on the specific requirement to learn more. We have a dedicated team of program staff that are committed to helping you along your journey at UC Merced. Fiat Lux scholars must complete these requirements to maintain active participation and eligibility in the program. Please feel free to contact us at fiatlux@ucmerced.edu if you have questions and/or concerns about the Fiat Lux Scholars Program. You are also welcome to visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page.
