Visitor Incentive Program - VIP

Admissions Spring Events - Visitor Incentive Program - VIP

You have made it this far, and we want to help you visit campus and experience the life of a Bobcat! You could be eligible for up to $140 in assistance, depending on your city of residence, through the Visitor Incentive Program (VIP). This program was created to aid students in their efforts to participate in certain spring events hosted by the Office of Admissions. Please note: Funding is limited. 

Criteria:

• California resident
• High school senior who has been admitted as a first-year student for the Fall 2025 semester at UC Merced
• First-generation student (Being a first-gen student means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member's level of education)
• Attend a high school that receives Title I funding.
• Live farther than 50 miles from the UC Merced campus
• Participate in one of the following events: Experience UC Merced, Inside UC Merced, Bobcat Day, or Spotlight UC Merced. For information about these events, visit our Admitted Student Events page. 

Information:

• Eligible students will receive the incentive in the form of an electronic gift card.
• The dollar amount of the incentive will be based on the participant’s city of residence.
• The incentive will be distributed after successfully completing certain spring events hosted by the Office of Admissions listed above.
• Incentive recipients are limited to one (1) gift card regardless of the number of events they attend.
• The Office of Admissions reserves the right to make changes or additions to the criteria for any reason at any time.
• The Office of Admissions reserves the right to cancel or suspend the Visitor Incentive Program should it determine, in its sole discretion, that the administration of this program has been compromised in any way and/or funds are depleted.