Cal Opportunity Scholarship (By Invitation Only)

Candidate Selection – APRIL
Candidate Awarding – APRIL

UC Berkeley's faculty established the Cal Opportunity Scholarship in 2000 with the goal of attracting to Berkeley high-achieving students who have overcome challenging socio-economic circumstances. Newly admitted freshmen students are selected for consideration in early April, after admission decisions have been announced.

Eligibility. Faculty select candidates from among high-achieving prospective freshmen with financial need who have been admitted to UC Berkeley from one of the program's partner high schools in the San Franscisco Bay Area.

Scholarship Benefits

Scholarship Amount - Cal Opportunity Scholars receive an annual scholarship award that meets their full financial need, (as determined by the Financial Aid Office), up to the full cost of in-state attendance when combined with other federal and state aid, and with outside scholarships and grants. This four-year scholarship is renewable if the Scholar annually maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Award amounts may not exceed the Undergraduate Student Budget for California Residents set each year by the University, and are applied to the financial aid package after federal and state grants (e.g. Pell Grants, Cal Grants) and other scholarships or awards (e.g. Governor's Scholarship).

Faculty Sponsor - Scholars are assigned a Faculty Sponsor from the Academic Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships and Honors and the faculty at large. The Faculty Sponsor guides Scholars on long-term academic and professional plans. (For questions about class scheduling and academic planning, consult departmental advisors.)

Incoming Scholars are notified of their Faculty Sponsor at the beginning of their first term at Cal. Each fall, the Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships and Honors hosts a reception to welcome entering Cal Opportunity Scholars. This reception is the first opportunity for Scholars to meet their Faculty Sponsors and to network with other incoming and continuing Scholars.

Scholars may find the Scholar/Faculty Advising Sheet helpful when speaking with their faculty sponsors.

Financial Aid Advising
Undergraduate Scholarships, Prizes and Honors Office acts as intermediary for Cal Op Scholars with the Financial Aid Office for financial aid issues.  The Scholarship Coordinator responds to questions regarding the scholarship and financial aid, and general information about Cal (e.g. advising, resources, and planning for the future).
The Financial Aid Office responds to questions about detailed financial aid issues, such as loans and appeals.  They can also help you with financial aid information on Bearfacts.
Billing and Payment Services answers questions about CARS statements, billing and refunds.

To be Considered. There is no separate or additional application for the Cal Opportunity Scholarship. Students who wish to be considered must apply for admission to UC Berkeley and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March deadline. Students without financial need are ineligible.

Interviews and Selection. Candidates are identified on the basis of information supplied in their application for admission and their FAFSA. UC Berkeley faculty individually interview candidates and select recipients prior to the May 1 deadline for the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) at the university.

Cal Opportunity Scholarship Partner High Schools:

• Oakland Unified School District
  Castlemont High School
  Fremont Federation of High Schools
  McClymonds High School
  Oakland High School
  Oakland Technical High School
• Ravenswood School District
  East Palo Alto High School
• San Francisco Unified School District
  Abraham Lincoln High School
  Balboa High School
  Galileo Academy of Science and Technology
  International Studies Academy
  John O'Connell High School
  Mission High School
  Phillip and Sala Burton Academy
  Raoul Wallenberg High School
  Thurgood Marshall High School
• West Contra Costa Unified School District
  John F. Kennedy High School
  Richmond High School