Learn: Tools, Tips, and Resources!

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.

Calculators

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 Berkeley’s Cal-culator provides an estimated Financial Aid award 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.

​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.