From grants to scholarships to loans to work-study and beyond, we offer a wide range of financial aid programs designed to keep a world-class Berkeley education affordable.
What’s Funding Your Education?
Explore our many financial aid programs by visiting the following pages:
- Innovative Berkeley Aid Programs
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Prizes and Honors
- Loans
- Work-Study
- Disabled Students Program
- Students with Dependents
- Study Abroad
- Summer Aid
- Veterans Benefits
- International Students
- Graduate Award Guide
- Newly Admitted Student Pathways
What Kinds of Aid are Available?
Funding for your education can come from many different sources. The primary way to apply for gift aid, work-study, and loans is by filing a financial aid application.
- Federal Financial Aid
- State Financial Aid
- Institutional Financial Aid
- Outside Sources of Aid
Federal Financial Aid
Financial aid that is provided to students through the Higher Education Act. Federal aid was enacted into law by Congress (and is overseen by the legislative branch of government, not the executive branch). Federal aid is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Examples of federal aid: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Student Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, etc.
- How to apply for federal aid: Complete your FAFSA by the priority deadline.
State Financial Aid
Financial aid offered by the state of California. Most state aid is made available through laws or acts passed by the California Legislature. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students in California. The exact budget for some state aid programs can be adjusted by the governor.
- Examples of state aid: Cal Grant Program, Middle Class Scholarship, California Dream Act, etc.
- How to apply for state aid: Complete either the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the priority deadline.
Institutional Financial Aid
Financial aid provided by UC Berkeley or University of California sources.
- Examples of institutional aid: Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, Native American Opportunity Plan, Parent Grant, Department Awards, UC Berkeley Grants, etc.
- How to apply for institutional aid: Complete either the FAFSA or CADAA by the priority deadline.
Outside Sources of Financial Aid
Outside sources of aid are exactly how they sound: aid that you independently find for yourself from sources other than federal, state, or institutional.
- Examples of outside aid: outside scholarships, grants, honors, or competitions.
- How to apply for outside aid: Follow the application instructions for the program, grant, etc. and complete by the deadline for each application.