Starting with the 2011-2012 academic year we ask that students submit student and parent information on the FAFSA instead of the Need Access application. Because the FAFSA does not include a question on home value and debt we also ask that you submit the Supplemental Application for Need-Based Grants to provide us with this information. You must submit complete parental information on both the FAFSA and Supplemental Application unless you will be 30 years old by December 31, 2011 or meet Berkeley Law Financial Aid’s criteria for financial independence.
Note: Please be sure to include parental information on the FAFSA even if the FAFSA classifies you as an “independent” student. FAFSA’s dependency classification does not apply to Berkeley Law’s gift aid.
The Supplemental Application for Need-Based Grants also includes the Expected Summer Earnings information. As a continuing student, you are required to provide this information before an estimate of your grant eligibility can be calculated. Both the FAFSA and the Supplemental Application have a priority deadline of March 2, 2011.
If your applications are received by the deadline, your estimated grant eligibility will be included in your MyFinAid financial aid offer for 2011-2012 which will become available in late April or early May for continuing students.
To determine your actual Need-Based Grant eligibility, you will need to submit the Statement of Confirmed Summer Earnings by July 15, 2011. This form will be available in early summer.
Key Points:
- Include parental info on the FAFSA instead of the Need Access Application
- The priority deadline of March 2, 2011 is the same as last year’s
- Berkeley Law’s definition of “independent” is different from FAFSA’s
- Continuing students should include their Expected Summer Earnings info on the Supplemental Application
- Offer letters for continuing students are expected to be available by early May
- The Confirmed Summer Earnings Statement must be submitted by July 15, 2011
- Both the priority and Confirmed Summer Earnings Statement deadlines are important because the limited need-based grant funds are awarded on a first-come first-served basis
See our Need-Based Grants page for details on the application process and eligibility policy.