Financial Aid Types

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From grants to scholarships to loans to work-study and beyond, UC Berkeley offers a wide range of financial aid programs designed to help you fund your education. A complete list of financial aid available at UC Berkeley is listed on the Financial Aid and Scholarships website. Types of aid are also summarized below. Clink links below to jump to that section.

View your aid package

View your aid package in CalCentral. Log in to CalCentral, and at the top of the page, select “My Finances”. Below Financial Aid and Scholarships, select “View Awards.” This will provide you with all of your financial aid information for the academic year. You can view the Task section for additional documents you may be required to submit. If you have additional questions, please contact Cal Student Central.

When are financial aid offers available? Financial aid packages for an upcoming academic year are available to view in CalCentral in the spring. You will receive an email when your package is ready. You must submit an aid application, provide any requested documents, and meet all eligibility requirements, to receive a financial aid offer. To review your offer, choose “View Awards” under “My Finances” in CalCentral. 

Fall and spring aid is disbursed the week before classes begin. Your financial aid awards (loans, scholarships, and grants) with the exception of work-study, will be applied to your bill in CalCentral once aid is disbursed. If eligible for Summer aid, it disburses 10 days before your first Summer Session begins. Be sure to complete all of your required tasks and maintain your eligibility for financial aid. 

Understanding your balance in CalCentral. If you have more aid than charges, a refund will be issued to help you with books and living expenses. If you have more charges than aid, there will be a balance due. Be sure to accept your financial aid awards, complete your aid application and related tasks, enroll in at least one class (more units are needed for loans and some grants), and clear any registration holds so that your aid can easily apply to your CalCentral balance. 

What are Title IV Programs? Authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, these federal student aid programs include federal grants, loans, and work-study programs for undergraduate students, as well as federal loans and the federal work-study program for graduate students.

Scholarships at UC Berkeley

Berkeley offers a variety of scholarship programs that can help you fund your education. Scholarships are a form of gift aid, or free money, and differ from loans because they do not need to be repaid. In addition, you can search for outside scholarships to help with your educational expenses. We encourage all students to search for outside scholarships throughout their academic careers at Berkeley.

How to apply for scholarships? Students automatically apply for federal, state, and university scholarships by completing a financial aid application for that academic year. Most funding is awarded based on financial need. Learn how to apply for aid on the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office website.

Outside scholarships

Outside scholarships are money from outside groups or organizations for your educational costs.. If you already have a financial aid package and subsequently receive an outside scholarship/award, your financial aid package may be adjusted for that award, and is dependent upon the conditions of the award. Generally, need-based loans and work-study awards are reduced first to “make room” for that award. Outside awards are split evenly between semesters unless otherwise stated.. You should report any outside scholarships received on your CalCentral View Awards page by clicking the “Report Outside Resources” link. 

How to apply for outside scholarships? Find resources to help you apply for and manage outside scholarships on the scholarship search page. 

Note: In most cases, receiving an outside award cannot replace your expected family contribution, though some exceptions may apply.

Grants

Grants are gift aid, meaning they do not need to be repaid. Grants are awarded from federal, state, and university sources according to your financial need. Please note that nonresidents and international students are ineligible for need-based university grants. AB540 students are considered California residents for need-based university gift aid awarding purposes. 

Please see the Meeting Nonresident Costs and International Students pages for helpful resources.

Prizes and honors

The Prizes & Honors Program at UC Berkeley is an important forum for rewarding creative expression and scholarly achievement of Berkeley’s finest students. Winners receive both recognition and a cash prize, which is coordinated with the winner’s financial aid package. Prize competitions are open to students of any major.

Note: Prizes & honors may result in an adjustment to your aid package. For more information, please call or open a case with Cal Student Central.

Work-study

The Work-Study Program encourages undergraduate and graduate students to earn their financial aid through part-time employment. Work-study awards are granted based on financial need, as reflected on your aid application. You can review if you have been awarded work-study funds in CalCentral. If you don’t have a work-study award, you may be able to convert eligible student loans to work-study by clicking the “Convert to Work-Study” link in your “View Awards” page. If the amount available to convert is greater than $0, then you have loans eligible to convert.

Loans

Educational loans are another essential way you can invest in your future. Berkeley offers federal, state, and institutional loans; you can find all of the deadlines, terms, and details on the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office Loans page.

Taking action on your loans is easy. Log in to CalCentral and head to the “My Finances” tab to view, accept, reduce/cancel, or convert your loans. If not interested in taking out loans, no action is required.

Veterans benefits

UC Berkeley Veterans Services offers information related to the types of benefits, certification of benefits, contact information for dedicated support, and campus resources for students who have served in the military. Additionally, we encourage you to file for financial aid if you will need additional aid during the academic year or while you are waiting for your VA educational benefits to arrive. To apply, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. 

For any questions, connect with the Cal Veterans Services Center. 

Study abroad aid

You can study abroad for a semester, the full academic year, or even a Summer Session with financial aid support, and you may also receive additional scholarships specific to study abroad students. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will partner with you to facilitate your transition into the study abroad program of your choice, as well as adjust your financial aid to meet your educational expenses associated with your study abroad program.

Need a financial aid estimate? Visit Berkeley Study Abroad Financial Aid Advising.

Aid options for international students

What aid options are available for international students? Funding an education as an international student at a university in the United States can be challenging. International students are ineligible for federal, state, and need-based university financial aid. Only U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens and AB 540 eligible students can be awarded federal, state and/or institutional need-based financial aid. We recommend reviewing these helpful tips and resources for securing educational funding as an international student. 

You can contact the Berkeley International Office to learn more about financial aid for international students.

Short-term emergency loans

If you need an emergency loan, the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office offers short-term emergency loans to graduate and undergraduate students. These interest-free loans are designed to help students meet unanticipated expenses directly related to the cost of education.

Obtain a short-term emergency loan in three easy steps:

  1. Apply via CalCentral. Use this step-by-step guide to get started.
  2. Sign Promissory Note.
  3. Pick up a check at Cal Student Central or select direct deposit to receive the funds directly in your bank account.
  • Please remember:
  • A registration hold may prevent your ability to obtain an emergency loan.
  • An existing balance from a previous emergency loan may prevent your ability to obtain a new emergency loan.
  • You have 60 days to repay an emergency loan before late fees and holds are placed on your account.
  • If you select direct deposit, be sure it is set up under My Finances > Financial Resources. Emergency loans paid via direct deposit may take three to five business days to process.
  • If you select check pickup, checks can be picked up in most cases same day or next day at the Cal Student Central office.