Veterans Education Benefits

• The Cal Vet Fee Waiver from the California Department of Veterans Affairs assists students with the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee.

• The Cal Vet College Fee Waiver is approved by Cal Vet and their authorization criteria. The authorization form is available from County Veterans Services.

• Students need to provide Veterans Benefits a copy of their current Authorization Letter each academic year.

• Cal Grant and Cal Vet cannot be used simultaneously, students eligible for Cal Grant use their Cal Vet for the summer term.

• Please review the financial aid eligibility requirements at Eligibility for Financial Aid and Summer Aid. Students may qualify for the summer fee grant based on the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the 2024-25 California Dream Act application (CADAA).

• The Chapter 33 program is designed to assist students in paying the systemwide tuition and campus-based fees. 

• The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for educational benefits, and students may apply online at VA.GOV.

• Students interested in receiving educational benefits at UC Berkeley must submit a Veteran Services Intake Request form.

• Every subsequent term, students that wish to use educational benefits, must submit a
  VA Enrollment Certification Request form

• Chapter 31 is a return to work program for disabled veterans and requires approval by a Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) case manager. 

• Chapter 31 may assist students in paying the systemwide tuition and campus-based fees, not including SHIP Insurance.

• Veterans need to contact the Oakland VA Regional Office to determine eligibility for VRE—Chapter 31. Please plan ahead as this process can take several months.

• Students interested in receiving educational benefits at UC Berkeley must submit a Veteran Services Intake Request form.

• Every subsequent term, students that wish to use educational benefits, must submit a
  VA Enrollment Certification Request form.

• The Chapter 35 program is designed to assist the child or spouse of disabled veterans.

  • Apply for education benefits as an eligible dependent at VA.GOV.

  • Learn about the Fry Scholarship for eligible dependents.

• Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Navy ROTC students may apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

  • Citizens and eligible non-citizens may consider completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

  • Non-citizens eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 may consider completing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov.

• Students may email scholarship questions to UC Berkeley Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Navy ROTC

  • Air Force ROTC (https://airforcerotc.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

  • Army ROTC (https://army.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

  • Navy ROTC (https://nrotc.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

Where can I find the link to complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the 2025-26 California Dream Act Application (CADAA)?

The 2025–26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application) is available. Please review FAFSA Completion Overview

• Collect the documents and information that you need. This includes tax returns for 2023.
• A parent who contributed to your FAFSA last year will already have an FSA ID. Parent contributors can access their FSA IDs at studentaid.gov.
• The priority deadline for the 2025-26 FAFSA and CADAA has been extended from March 3, 2025 to April 2, 2025.

I was selected for 2025-25 FAFSA Verification, where can I submit requested documents?

If you have completed a 2025-26 FAFSA or CADAA, and have been selected for verification, you can submit your 2025-26 verification documents using the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms.

My income has changed and does not reflect the information provided on my financial aid application, can I submit an appeal?

You may consider completing the Economic Hardship Appeal using the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms.

What is the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request priority submission deadline for the 2024-25 academic year?

The priority submission deadline to request a cost of attendance adjustment for the 2024-25 year is Friday, April 4, 2025. Please visit the Cost of Attendance Adjustment web page.

If I am eligible for Cal Grant and VA Education Benefits, I want to know what fees will be paid by my education benefits?

Cal Grants like VA education benefits are tuition and fee-specific. Students eligible for Cal Grant will see the Cal Grant pay the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee. The VA education benefits pay the Health Insurance Fee, Berkeley Campus Fee, New Student Programming Fee, Instructional Resilience & Enhancement Fee, Document Management Fee, and Class Pass Fee.

What steps do I need to take if I receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?

If you are living off base and are receiving a basic housing allowance, then the financial aid and scholarships office will need to remove the housing portion from your Cost of Attendance budget. If you receive BAH, please open a case online Cal Student Central.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a housing benefit the Department of Defense provides. The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is a housing benefit the Department of Veterans Affairs provides.

Where can I get the tax form that reflects Veterans Education Benefits or ROTC Scholarships as gift aid?

The 1098-T forms are available from Student Billing. Veterans Education Benefits or ROTC Scholarships are reported as gift aid on Form 1098-T and are reflected in box 5. 

CVSC Workshops 

The Cal Veteran Services Center (CVSC) conducts several workshops to inform students about financial aid and scholarship matters. The CVSC notifies students of these workshops via email, social media, and their virtual bulletin board. In addition, students may reach the CVSC directly for information and be added to the listserv at veteranscenter@berkeley.edu.

CADAA Workshops

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is hosting California Dream Act Application (CADAA) workshops to assist you in filing your 2025-26 CADAA by the priority deadline of April 2nd! Please visit Undocumented Student Program (USP). 

FAFSA Workshops

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) is hosting Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assist you in filing your 2025-26 FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 2nd! Please visit the Financial Aid And Scholarship Events web page.

Work-Study/Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

Mark your calendars! Work-Study/LAEP jobs for the 2025-26 year will be advertised beginning March 2025, within the Work-Study Management System (WSMS). Get a head start by updating your resume and/or cover letter so that you can be prepared to apply for jobs.

Center for Financial Wellness

Meet your Financial Aid and Scholarships and Center for Financial Wellness Team. Come learn more about the Center for Financial Wellness and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office on March 14 from 12 pm to 5 pm! Familiarize yourself with the staff and financial wellness peer advisors that are here to serve YOU! Follow us on Instagram@UCB.FinancialWellness to learn more about upcoming events and continuous learning.

Basic Needs Center

Need assistance with essential resources that impact your health, belonging, persistence, and overall well-being? Visit the Basic Needs Center, and someone will help you navigate the many options available to you.

Student Tech Equity Program (STEP)

Students with financial need are invited to submit an application for the Spring Semester to the Student Tech Equity Program (STEP) to request a laptop and other related technology. The Spring applications are open through April 27th and have transitioned to ServiceNow, please visit https://technology.berkeley.edu/STEP for more information.

• Cal Student Central is your destination for key university business related to financial aid, fees and billing, payments, disbursements, registration, and enrollment. Please open a case online Cal Student Central - Services & Areas of Support.