I would also add that for some of the campuses (I went to Merced), check out local housing and skip the "dorm life." The UC housing expenses in Merced were about 4 - 5 times what it cost to split a rental house in town. And these were large, new properties.
As far as taking out twice the tuition, it doesn't particularly help when the loan system "recommends" borrowing 2x the tuition and gives you a bunch of warnings if you try to borrow less. I ended up working the last two years I was there (also moved off campus).
As far as taking out twice the tuition, it doesn't particularly help when the loan system "recommends" borrowing 2x the tuition and gives you a bunch of warnings if you try to borrow less. I ended up working the last two years I was there (also moved off campus).