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Important Dates for Spring 2013 and Holiday Hours

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Spring Semester Financial Aid Payment and Refund Dates

Beginning in early January, financial aid payments (including any loans) will be transferred to your CARS account.  If your aid payments exceed your charges, remaining funds will be issued as refunds beginning Wednesday, January 16, 2013.  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.

Due to the timing of spring refunds, it is important that you plan accordingly to ensure you have enough money to cover your expenses.  If you need to borrow an Emergency Loan, please make note of the following information.

Emergency Loans – Dates of Availability

  • December 13, 2012 is the last day to apply for an Emergency Loan for Fall 2012
  • January 15, 2013 is the first day to apply for an Emergency Loan for Spring 2013

Emergency Loan applications can be submitted in person only from 9:00 AM to 12:15 PM, Monday through Thursday. The office is closed on Fridays except during the first few weeks of the fall and spring semesters.  Your check will be ready the same day you apply. You must pick up your check in person by 1:00 PM, or the check will be cancelled.

Financial Aid Application Process for 2013-14

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2013-14 will be available on January 1, 2013 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  You must submit your application by the March 2 priority deadline in order to be considered for scholarships or a need-based grant (see our grant application requirements).

Holiday Hours

The Financial Aid Office will be closed from Monday, December 24 through January 1, 2013, with normal office hours resuming on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

Upcoming outside scholarship opportunities

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U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association Carole Bailey Scholarship

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association is offering a scholarship of up to $5,000.00 to at least one law student with a demonstrated commitment to public service.  The scholarship is in honor of the Court’s recently-retired Chief Deputy Clerk of Administrative Services, Carole Bailey.  Carole’s commitment to public service was unwavering throughout her legal and professional career, and in furtherance of the their mission as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Bar Association seeks to aid law students in achieving their own accomplishments in pursuit of public service.

Details about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application guidelines, can be found on the Bar Association’s website at http://www.cfcbar.org/carole-bailey-scholarship.  The deadline for applications is October 31, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

 

Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship

The Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship is part of Banner & Wicoff, Ltd.’s continuing commitment to fostering the development of intellectual property lawyers from diverse backgrounds.  The scholarship is open to all law students pursuing a career in intellectual property law.  The applicant must be a member of a historically under-represented group (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability) and must have exemplary writing and oral communication skills.

Applications are available on the Banner & Witcoff website, and must be submitted by January 7, 2013.

Budget Appeal Forms are now available for 2012-13

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Students whose financial aid budgets do not reflect their actual costs may submit a budget appeal to increase costs for additional loan eligibility.

Budget Appeal Forms are available on our Forms page and should be submitted to the Berkeley Law Financial Aid Office.
Please allow 2 weeks for processing.  If the appeal requires review by the Graduate Appeals Committee, processing time will be longer.

EXPLANATIONS AND TIPS FOR YOUR APPEAL

Transportation: If you drive and you are requesting an additional transportation allowance, you must explain the necessity for using private rather than public transportation.

Housing: Your name must be on the lease/rental agreement and on all utility bills. If the housing documentation indicates occupancy by more than one person, the total housing cost will be divided by the number indicated.

Medical: If you are requesting additional aid to pay medical expenses incurred prior to the
beginning of the current academic year, you must provide a current statement indicating the amount still outstanding.

Computer Purchase: The computer must be purchased during the enrollment period for which you are requesting the budget adjustment. You may only request a budget adjustment for a computer purchase once every three academic years.

Inadequately documented expenses will not be considered.

The following expenses are not allowable for funding with need-based financial aid:
Credit card payments -Job interview expenses -Bar review expenses
Educational loan repayment- Purchase/maintenance of a car -Additional allowance for food
Discretionary (optional) medical or dental procedures

Requests for add-ons which exceed the maximum allowance will be referred to the Graduate Appeals Committee.

Appeals are scanned into our imaging system. In order to avoid readability problems we request that you use black ink only; do not use finepoint pen, or highlighter.  Submit all documentation on white 8 ½” x 11″ paper.

Email:  financial-aid@law.berkeley.edu – Phone:  510-642-1563 – Fax:  510-666-3577

Info Session Thursday, April 12: Law Degree Economics

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We are fortunate to have Jason DiLorenzo of GLAdvisor return this semester to make another presentation to Berkeley Law students. He made two well received presentations last spring, one of which was at the “Tax Day” event. Jason’s expertise in the areas of loan repayment and financial advising will make the session worthwhile to all students, regardless of their current grade level or post-graduation plans. Please plan to take the time to hear him speak!

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Law Degree Economics:

How Federal Legislation Has Improved the Economic Value of A Law Degree

Learn what steps you need to take in order to position your debt, tax filing and finances to fully realize the benefits of these pivotal statutory student loan changes.

Thursday, April 12

100 Boalt Hall

2:00-3:00pm

Presented by Jason DiLorenzo

• An examination of escalating debt levels’ effect in eroding a Law degree’s financial value and how recent events have reversed this trend markedly.

• The steps you need to take in order to maximize the benefits of these programs and to mitigate the costs of your debt.

• Inherent conflicts of interest and common mistakes people make while navigating these programs and other financial matters.

• Q & A to follow

Electronic Funds Transfer for Spring

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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 the cashier’s office at 140 University 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.

Viewing Your Award and Payment Status

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You can always check your most current CARS balance by viewing your Quick Statement on 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.

Spring Semester Financial Aid Payments and Refunds

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Financial aid payments for spring semester 2012 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 not having an unresolved overaward in your aid package.

Your first CARS bill for the spring semester will be visible in BearFacts on or near December 5, 2011. 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 transferred to your CARS account. If your aid payments exceed your charges, remaining funds will be issued as refunds beginning Friday, January 13, 2012. 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.

Holiday Hours and Deadlines for Fall Semester Aid

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Regular Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday 9am-12pm and 1pm – 4pm (Closed Fridays)

Holiday Hours:

The Financial Aid Office will be closed from December 23 through January 1, resuming normal office hours on Monday, January 2. There will be limited resources for services on Monday, December 19, through Thursday, December 22.

Fall Semester Aid:

Students intending to borrow additional loans for the fall semester should accept the loans and meet all other requirements by December 12. Students intending to borrow the campus’ emergency loan may do so only until December 15.

Information Session (10/26): Create a Spending Plan

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Wednesday, October 26

12:50 PM – 1:50 PM

Create a Spending Plan Information Session

170 Boalt Hall

1Ls: Plan to attend the info session aimed at taking control of your spending and planning your borrowing while at Berkeley Law. This session will enable you to evaluate your spending, assist in reducing your student loan debt, avoiding credit card debt, and becoming overall budget savvy. Download our Spending Plan spreadsheet and bring your laptop to the session. All students are welcome!