Applying for Financial Aid at UC Berkeley

You apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is available on January 1 each year. UC Berkeley's federal school code is 001312.

For tips on completing the FAFSA, review the FAFSA Guide below; watch "7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA," a video tutorial on how to complete the FAFSA application; and read "Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Student Aid" and "FAFSA Tips for Applicants in Unique Situations." For questions about the FAFSA, see http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/contact.htm and http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm. You can also follow @FAFSA on Twitter for the latest FAFSA information and financial aid tips.

Federal Direct Loan Promissory Note: If you did not receive Direct Loan proceeds during the previous academic year at UC Berkeley, you must complete a Master Promissory Note online at studentloans.gov. Follow the instructions on the website carefully. UC Berkeley cannot apply your loan proceeds to your Campus Accounts Receivables System (CARS) account until we receive electronic notification that you have completed your promissory note.

First-Time Direct Loan borrowers at UC Berkeley: You must complete entrance counseling before your Direct Loan can be credited to your CARS account. You can complete the entrance counseling via the Internet at the studentloans.gov website.

2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Guide for UC Berkeley Graduate and Professional Students

  • Read ALL the Instructions that accompany the FAFSA on the Web. Be sure to select the 2012-13 form! The online FAFSA allows you to skip some questions based on your answers to earlier questions. Please use the 2012-13 FAFSA on the Web Pre-Application Worksheet to collect your information before beginning your FAFSA on the Web.
  • Types of Aid: The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for Federal Direct Loans, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Perkins Loans.
  • Priority Deadline: Our priority processing deadline is March 2, 2012. If you are an entering student, do not wait until you have been admitted to file your FAFSA! Whether you are an entering or continuing student, filing your FAFSA early allows enough processing time for disbursement of funds at the beginning of the fall semester. If you miss the priority deadline, you may still apply for financial aid, although campus-based funds may be depleted. You may still receive Federal Direct Loans, Grad PLUS Loans, or private student loans.
  • Title IV School Code: UC Berkeley's federal school code is 001312.
  • Dependency and Parent Information: Graduate and professional students are considered independent, and are not required to submit parents' financial information. However, Optometry students who wish to apply for the Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), must submit parents' financial information. The parent data will be used only to determine eligibility for HPSL. Parents must sign and submit the signature page.
  • Student Aid Report (SAR): You will receive an electronic SAR from the Department of Education within a week after submitting your FAFSA. Read the SAR carefully for messages regarding your application status. If there are no problems with your application, your data will be submitted electronically to UC Berkeley. After receiving your data from the Department of Education, UC Berkeley will send you an award notification or instructions regarding other documents we may require.

Tips for Completing the FAFSA

  • Read the FAFSA instructions carefully. If you have questions contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243 or the UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at (510) 642-6442.
  • Do not leave blank any questions that apply to you. If the answer is zero, enter 0.
  • Use the same name on the FAFSA as is listed on your Social Security card.
  • If you are a citizen or about to become a citizen, do NOT enter your alien registration number.
  • If you have not completed your 2011 tax form at the time you complete the FAFSA, estimate tax figures as accurately as possible.
  • Do not mail worksheets, tax forms, or letters to the Department of Education or the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office will notify you if other documents are needed.
  • Do not contact your financial aid administrator regarding special circumstances until after you have received your financial aid offer.
  • You should make FAFSA corrections online. You must use your PIN to access your information online.

Financial Aid Reminders

  • If the UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships Office requests it, submit additional documentation.
  • Review your financial aid offer on MyFinAid (this is not available online until you are officially admitted by the Graduate Division).
  • Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note if not completed previously.
  • Complete an online entrance counseling session if you have not previously borrowed at UC Berkeley.
  • Sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). While optional, this is strongly recommended.
  • Register for classes (you must be enrolled in at least six units for federal financial aid to credit your account).

 

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