Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a registration block and how does it affect my financial aid?
  2. I want to submit an undergraduate student Budget Appeal. What do I need to do?
  3. What is the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan?
  4. Is it too late to file my 2013-14 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
  5. I'm expecting an outside scholarship check. Where do I send it?
  6. When do I apply for financial aid for next year?

1. What is a registration block and how does it affect my financial aid?
There are three types of registration blocks: financial, administrative, and academic. Your registration may be blocked if you fail to meet an obligation to the University. This includes, but is not limited to, failure to pay registration fees or other outstanding debts, failure to declare a major, or failure to submit requested documentation to certain offices. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office does not pay aid for a term if you have a registration block for that same term. You need to resolve the block before any financial aid can pay. Read more about registration blocks.

2. I want to submit an undergraduate student Budget Appeal. What do I need to do?
You need to submit a Budget Appeal Form. The Budget Appeal Form includes detailed information about which expenses can be claimed and what kind of documentation is required.

3. What is the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan?
The University of California Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will cover your UC systemwide tuition and fees ($12,192 in 2013-14) if you are a California resident whose family earns less than $80,000 a year and you qualify for financial aid. Read more about the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan.

4. Is it too late to file my 2013-14 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
No. Even though the March 2 priority deadline has passed, it is not too late to file a FAFSA. If you haven't filed yet, we encourage you to do so. Filing by March 2 ensures that you will be considered for the maximum amount of aid for which you are eligible; when you file after the March 2 deadline, some types of financial aid could be limited. The last day you can submit your FAFSA for academic year 2013-14 is March 15, 2014.

5. I'm expecting an outside scholarship check. Where do I send it?
Send your scholarship check to:
UC Berkeley
Financial Aid and Scholarships Office
201 Sproul Hall #1960
Berkeley, CA 94720-1960

The check should include your name, student identification number (SID), and, if possible, a letter of instruction from the donor. Please ask the donor to make the check payable to "UC Regents," if possible.

6. When do I apply for financial aid for next year?
The earliest you can apply for financial aid for academic year 2014-15 is January 1, 2014. To apply, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The undergraduate priority deadline is always March 2. Filing by March 2 ensures that you will be considered for the maximum amount of aid for which you are eligible; if you file after the March 2 deadline, some types of financial aid could be limited.