Holiday Hours and Spring Semester Financial Aid

Holiday Hours and Deadlines for Fall Semester Aid
Regular Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9am-12pm and 1pm – 4pm (Closed Fridays)

Holiday Hours:
The Financial Aid Office will be closed December 16 and December 17, resuming normal office hours on Wednesday, December 18.  The office will also be closed from December 24 through January 1, resuming normal office hours on Thursday, January 2.
Fall Semester Aid:

Students intending to borrow from the campus’ emergency loan may do so only until December 20.  Spring semester emergency loans will not be available until January.  Please see http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/graduates/types_loans.htm for details.


Spring Semester Financial Aid Payments and Refunds
Financial aid payments for spring semester 2014 will be sent to the Campus Accounts Receivable System (CARS) in early January, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements, which include being enrolled in at least 6 units, not having any registration blocks, and hot having an unresolved over-award in your aid package.

Your first CARS bill for the spring semester will be visible in BearFacts in mid December, 2013.  Please note that this December CARS statement will not show your financial aid payments, including loan disbursements for the spring semester.

Beginning in early January, financial aid payments (including any loans) will be applied to your CARS account.  If your aid payments exceed your charges, remaining funds will be issued as refunds beginning Thursday, January 16, 2014.  If your aid is delayed because you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you can expect your refund 7-10 days after you establish your eligibility.

Awards from Other Departments:

For questions about fellowships, departmental awards, fee waivers, and fee remissions, please contact your department or the fellowships office.  The Financial Aid Office does not have information about these award disbursements.

 

 

Viewing Your Award and Payment Status
You can always check your most current CARS balance by viewing your Quick Statement in BearFacts.  Remember that your e-Bill is a monthly snapshot and will not reflect recent payment activity, but your Quick Statement is updated daily and will show recent payments and any current CARS balance due.

You can also view your financial aid payments by logging on to MyFinAid and visiting the “Award Payment Status” link in the left column.  Be sure to also check “messages” on MyFinAid— we may need a certain document or additional information from you in order to pay your aid.  We recommend that you check MyFinAid regularly throughout the semester for updates.
Electronic Funds Transfer for Spring

If you have not already signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to receive your spring refund through direct deposit, sign up online by January 2.  Otherwise, paper refund checks will be available for pick-up at Cal Student Center, 120 Sproul Hall.  Periodically check your email account or your BearFacts CARS Refund Summary to find out when your refund becomes available. BearFacts will also show whether your EFT is active.