Want to compare college costs, calculate your expenses, or create a budget? Looking for tips on the financial aid application process? How about a centralized listing of important external resources? You’ve come to the right place.
We know it can be confusing at times to navigate the financial aid process. We’ve put together the following annotated lists of tools, tips, and resources to help you accomplish financial tasks and get the information you need.
Tools
Whether you’re trying to get an estimate of your financial aid award, looking for a work-study job, signing up for Direct Deposit, updating your contact information, or reading financial aid facts, there is a tool that can help! See the annotated list below for tools that can help you navigate your path through Berkeley.
Build a Budget
One of the first steps in good financial management is to create a budget so that you can monitor your income and expenses.
CalCentral
CalCentral is available to all students with an active CalNet account. It provides you with financial aid and billing transaction information.
Refer to these student calculators for tools you may find helpful in managing your finances.
Compare Costs
See how the College Financing Plan helps you compare costs among colleges.
Estimate Your Financial Aid
Answer a few simple questions and the calculator provides an estimate of the amount of gift aid (grants and scholarships) you could receive and an estimate of your net costs for prospective undergraduate students.
Financial Aid Checklist
Keep on top of common financial aid tasks.
Find Work-Study Jobs
Search the job listings and learn how to submit your application.
Share Information with Parents and Others
Learn how to share your financial aid package details or information about other university records with your parents, a guardian, a spouse, or other person.
Sign Up for Direct Deposit
Get funds fast by signing up for Direct Deposit. You can do this within CalCentral.
Update Your Contact Information
Keep your contact information current!
Tips for Financial Aid Success
Many resources provide helpful tips on various aspects of financial aid. We’ve compiled a few of the best below.
General Financial Aid Tips
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Tips on Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
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Tips for Parents
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Tips for Grandparents
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Tax Tips
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Resources
Wondering how to finance your UC education? Looking for information about a specific Berkeley website? Seeking Spanish-language resources? We’ve compiled an annotated list of websites to help you navigate your path through Berkeley.
Federal Websites
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A website created by the U.S. Department of Education that provides comprehensive information about preparing to go to college, types of financial aid available, eligibility, applying for aid, and repaying student loans (including a loan repayment calculator).
You'll need a personal identification number (PIN) to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. If you are a dependent student, one of your parents will also need a FSA ID.
The essential application for financial aid. Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for aid.
This site allows you to complete an electronic Master Promissory Note for a Federal Direct Loan. You will also need to complete the online Entrance Counseling if you are a first-time borrower at Berkeley. In addition, we encourage all borrowers to complete the Financial Awareness Counseling at the beginning of each year to stay informed about their total loan debt.
The U.S. Department of Education's central database for student aid. NSLDS provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data.
State of California Websites
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The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administers Cal Grants, the California Dream Act Application, and the Middle Class Scholarship.
Information for parents and students about financial aid at the University of California.
This is the main website for the University of California system. You'll find links to other UC campuses and much more.
UC Berkeley Websites
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- American Indian Graduate Program
As part of UC Berkeley's mission to foster academic excellence through diversity, the program seeks to counteract the barriers that prevent the full participation of American Indian and Alaska Native students in graduate education.
- Berkeley Dining
Discover dining options.
- Berkeley Housing
Find out about housing options.
- Center for Financial Wellness
Get the tools and resources that will empower you to make informed financial decisions now and into the future.
- CalCentral
Learn how CalCentral can help you access your grades, registration, class schedules, financial aid, billing, notify you of critical status changes, help you stay on top of your academic, administrative, and campus life activities, and more.
- Cal Parents
Offers a wide array of information and services to parents of UC Berkeley students.
- Cal Student Central
Need a transcript? Have questions about your financial aid or a hold on your registration? Cal Student Central is your destination for key university business related to financial aid, fees and billing, payments, disbursem*nts, registration, and enrollment.
- Centers for Educational Excellence and Equity (Ce3)
By respecting every undergraduate as a unique individual, Ce3 programs empower non-traditional Berkeley students to achieve and lead.
- Educational Opportunity Program
For more than 40 years, the Educational Opportunity Program has provided first-generation and low-income college students with the guidance and resources necessary to succeed at Berkeley.
- Financial Aid Forms
Find common financial aid forms here.
- Financial Aid Publications
Read Funding Your Future, our ultimate guide to navigating financial aid at Berkeley. Also review flyers on Expected Family Contribution Appeals, Scholarships and Loans.
- Glossary of Financial Aid Terms
Wondering what a financial aid term, such as Expected Family Contribution (EFC), means? Look it up in the Glossary!
- Golden Bear Orientation (GBO)
Information about the orientation program for new students.
- International Students
Learn about resources available to international students.
- Native American Student Development
The Native American Student Development Office supports students at UC Berkeley with transitioning to the university and navigating the many resources and opportunities available on campus.
- Student Advocate's Office
The ASUC Student Advocate's Office (SAO) is a student-run office that provides free and confidential advice and representation to students who experience issues or conflicts with the University. If you would like additional support completing a financial aid appeal, please contact them at help@berkeleysao.org.
- Undocumented Student Program
A component of the Centers for Educational Equity and Excellence, the program provides guidance and support to undocumented undergraduates at Berkeley, practicing a holistic, multicultural, and solution-focused approach that delivers individualized service for each student.
Información en Español
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- Información en Español
Esta página Web proporciona recursos sobre ayuda financiera del estudiante y becas en español.
Other Helpful Websites
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A website funded by the National Endowment for Financial Education, an independent, nonprofit foundation committed to educating college students and recent graduates on a broad range of financial topics, including budgeting, credit card usage, setting financial goals, and income taxes.
- The College Board's Big Future Website
Information about financial aid, scholarships, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
