How to file FAFSA to multiple schools and include parent information for Berkeley only

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As you may already know, the FAFSA application for 2012-13 is now available.

All students who wish to be considered for a need-based grant MUST submit complete parent information on the FAFSA and supplemental application unless they meet the requirements for financial independence for that academic year. Without complete parent information, the applicant will not be considered for grant eligibility.
Students who do not wish to include  parent information on the FAFSA for other law schools may want to consider submitting the FAFSA to those schools first, then resubmitting for Berkeley. This can be done once an e mail is received confirming receipt of the initial FAFSA submission.  Remove those school codes, add the information to complete your application to Berkeley and resubmit with Berkeley’s school code, 001312.

La Raza Lawyers Association of Fresno – Mario Olmos Scholarship

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La Raza Lawyers Association of Fresno awards scholarships to deserving law students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership ability, involvement in the Latino community, financial need, and ties to California’s Central Valley.  Since 1991, the scholarship fund has been dedicated to the memory of the late Superior Court Judge Mario G. Olmos, a Fresno County jurist and respected community leader. This year’s annual banquet will be held in Fresno on March 2, 2012, and scholarship recipients are expected to attend to receive their awards.

Applications must be received by January 20, 2012.  Please address any questions to Erica Gonzalez, Treasurer of La Raza Lawyers Association, or visit our outside scholarships page for more information.

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.

Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities

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ABA Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Law

The American Bar Association is offering fellowships in environmental law for the summer of 2012. The program is available to law students of underrepresented groups, including age, disability, sexual orientation, and cultural backgrounds. The fellowship includes a $5,000 stipend for an 8-10 week internship at a government agency or public interest organization, participation in relevant ABA meetings, and a mentor from the ABA or California Bar Association.  Completed applications must be submitted by January 23, 2012.  More information is available at the ABA website.

Community Foundation of  Sonoma County – Michael F. O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship

This fund will award scholarships to students currently enrolled in law school or pursuing a law-related career. Applicants must be residents of Sonoma County or have attended a high school located in Sonoma County.  For more information, visit the Community Foundation website or email Dana Johnson, Program Associate.  Applications must be received by March 5, 2012.

JVS Scholarship Fund

The JVS Scholarship is available to Jewish students with verifiable financial need who are legal and permanent residents of Los Angeles County.  All applicants are required to file a “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) in January.  Scholarship applications will be available on January 4 and must be received by March 16, 2012.  For more information, please visit the JVS website.

Minami Public Interest Fellowship

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The Dale Minami Public Interest Fellowship was created in 2007 to provide modest fellowship awards to Berkeley Law (Boalt Hall) students and alumni who have shown a strong commitment to serving the public interest.  Minami Fellows are selected for their diverse backgrounds, record of exceptional academic and professional accomplishment, leadership in community service, and commitment to social justice and public interest work.  Individuals working in any range of public interest jobs, including government work, are invited to apply.

The Fellowship recipient will be honored at the annual Dale Minami Public Interest Fellowship Dinner, which will take place on Friday, January 27, 2012 in San Francisco, CA.

Completed applications should be emailed to minamifellowship@gmail.com by January 12, 2012.  Applications are available for download here.

Scholarship Updates

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Linn Inn Mark T. Banner Scholarship deadline extended to November 23

The Linn Inn Mark T. Banner Scholarship is open to  minority (including race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability) law students pursuing a career in intellectual property law.  Applications will be accepted until November 23, 2011.  More information is available here.

Goodwin Bar Association Scholarship for law students from San Joaquin Valley

The Hugh W. Goodwin Bar Association will award a grant to a law student with a connection to one of the following counties: Calaveras, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Inyo and Kern.  Applications, along with a 250 word essay and up to two letters of reference, should be mailed to the following address: Hugh Goodwin Bar Association; c/o Connie A. Broussard; Deputy Attorney General; Office of the Attorney General; 2550 Mariposa Mall, Suite 5090; Fresno, CA 93721.  Applications must be received by December 31, 2011.

Roy A. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship for law students from Ventura County

Candidates must have graduated from a public or private high school in Ventura County, have completed the first year of law school at an accredited college or university in California, and demonstrate financial need. To access the application, students must visit the VCCF website and register to apply for scholarships by January 4.  The last day to apply is January 6, 2012.

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!