How to Apply for Financial Aid

(UC Berkeley's School Code is: 001312)

You may apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For some tips on completing the 2009-2010 FAFSA, review the FAFSA Guide below.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan Promissory Note: If you did not receive Direct Loan proceeds during the 2008-2009 academic year at UC Berkeley you must complete a Master Promissory Note online at http://dlenote.ed.gov. Follow the instructions on the web site 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 UCB: You must complete an entrance interview before your Direct Loan can be credited to your CARS account. You can complete the interview via the internet at the Direct Loan Servicing site or you can attend an in-person interview at the Billing and Payment Services Office.

2009-2010 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 2009 - 2010 form! The online FAFSA allows you to skip some questions based on your answers to earlier questions. Please use the 2009-2010 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 Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Perkins Loans. It is also used to determine eligibility for need-based fellowships and departmental funding, as well as low-income parent grants.
  • Priority Deadline: Our priority processing deadline is March 2, 2009. 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 Subsidized and Unsubsidized 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 four to six weeks 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 1-800-433-3243 or the UCB Financial Aid Office at 1-510-642-0485.
  • 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 2008 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 Office. The Financial Aid 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 letter.
  • 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 Office requests it, submit additional documentation
  • Complete the online Financial Aid Offer Letter (this is not available online to applicants until officially admitted by the Graduate Division, or the Office of Undergraduate admissions for Optometry students).
  • Complete the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note if not completed previously.
  • Complete an on-line entrance loan 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 (enrollment must be at least least six units for federal financial aid to credit your account.