Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
The Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship is UC Berkeley's largest scholarship program for undergraduates. Each year 2,500 students receive a Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship, funded from one or more of our 750 university and donor funds. There is no application process other than applying for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Eligibility
The Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded to new and continuing
students on the basis of both academic merit and financial need. Students
entering Berkeley from high school must have a 4.1 grade point average (GPA). Those entering
from community college must have a 3.5 GPA. Continuing students must
have a 3.5 GPA.
The amount of the scholarship is based on your level of financial need.
Maintaining EligibilityYou must continue to have financial need and maintain a 3.5 GPA to continue to receive the scholarship. In most cases, if you continue to have financial need, but do not maintain the required 3.5 GPA, you will be offered a University grant.
What Happens After Your Initial Award Appears on MyFinAid
When your scholarship first appears on MyFinAid, you'll see your total scholarship offer next to "Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship." Starting in the late summer, the amount of the scholarship will convert to actual named scholarship accounts. For example, if your Berkeley
Undergraduate Scholarship is initially offered for $2,000, it may later convert to two different scholarships—a John Doe Scholarship for $456 and a Sally Smith Scholarship for $1,544.
To Be Considered
Follow the steps that apply to your situation:
Students not yet admitted to UC Berkeley:
- Complete and submit the University of California Application for Freshman (or Transfer) Admission and Scholarships by the deadline. Cite your characteristics, such as ancestry and professional interests, in the "Scholarships" section. (Some scholarships are reserved for students who meet criteria established by individual donors.)
- Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the UC Berkeley March 2 deadline.
- Annually complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 2 deadline.
- If your future career plans change, update the UC Berkeley Scholarship Data Sheet (SDS).
