Applying for Financial Aid and Need-based Grants

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The following is a reminder about the application process for financial aid for the 2015-2016 academic year. We are writing to ask that you submit your FAFSA application early during the month of February. Please do not wait until an admission decision is made to submit your FAFSA to Berkeley.

APPLYING FOR ANY FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online with Berkeley Law’s school code 001312. Submit your application by the priority deadline of March 2, 2015 in order to be considered for a need-based grant or scholarships.

Entering First Year Students and Applicants: Students admitted after the priority deadline are encouraged to wait until they have their Student ID Number to submit the Supplemental Application.

Limited resources are available for international students. Click here for more information.

APPLYING FOR NEED-BASED GRANTS

Students applying for need-based grants, in addition to submitting the FAFSA, must also submit the following:

Tips on completing your application process:

  • Submit complete student information with spouse information, if married, and be sure to include accurate and complete financial information on both the FAFSA and Supplemental Application. Some students choose to file their federal and state income tax returns early in order to have their information ready by the March 2 deadline.
  • Submit complete parent information on both the FAFSA and Supplemental Application unless you will turn 30 years old by December 31, 2015or have worked with us to establish independence as an exception. Again, be sure that the financial information you provide is both complete and accurate. Visit our Need-Based Grants page for details.
  • International students applying for need-based grants should complete a FAFSA utilizing the SSN/SIN created by LSAC when asked for a social security number in the online application. This system generated number can be found once logged into LSAC. Although the completed FAFSA will be rejected by the US Department of Education for the purposes of federal student aid, the needed information will load into our financial aid system, completing the FAFSA requirement for need-based grant consideration. The Supplemental Application for Need-Based Grants is also required for consideration.


APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Entering First Year Students: Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis typically beginning in April. Separate scholarship notifications are sent by the Admissions Office when awards are made. Everyone is considered for general scholarships but information on applying for specific scholarships will be made available upon admission.

Continuing Students: We announce Berkeley Law scholarships for continuing students at least once a year. Check our website and follow our blog for details.


TIMELINE

If all of your required information is received by March 2, we will attempt to have a preliminary financial aid offer available to you by early April. Financial aid offers cannot be made available before April.

Entering First Year Students and Applicants: For students admitted after March 2 or who complete applications after March 2, financial aid offers will be provided weekly after initial awards are sent.


IF YOU MISS THE MARCH 2 DEADLINE

Applications received after the March 2 priority deadline will be considered for gift aid (grants and scholarships) on a first-come first-served basis if funds remain available.


INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS

It is the student’s responsibility to meet all financial aid requirements and deadlines. Incomplete applications may result in processing delays. We encourage you to use the Entering Student Checklist or Continuing Student Checklist to keep track of what you submitted.

If you have any questions, please contact us at financial-aid@law.berkeley.edu.