We may be able to increase your budget—and your financial aid eligibility—if you incur expenses during the academic year that are higher than your standard financial aid budget. This is called a Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustment.
Expenses often considered for COA Adjustment include:
The cost of your rent and utilities or the cost of your university residence hall.
The cost of purchasing a computer; you can only request this once every three years.
The cost of medical, dental, or optical expenses not covered by insurance.
The cost of transportation.
The cost of childcare expenses.
The cost of special books and supplies.
The cost of relocating expenses (entering students only).
Availability and Deadlines
The academic year Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request Form is made available beginning in September for the fall/spring academic year.
The summer Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request Form is made available at the start of Summer Session A.
The priority submission deadline to request a cost of attendance adjustment for the 2025-26 year is as follows:
Fall/Spring Academic Year – Friday, April 3, 2026
Summer Session – no later than two weeks prior to the last day of your summer session enrollment.
We CANNOT process cost of attendance adjustment requests after the last term of enrollment for a student for the aid year.
The Process
The Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request Form includes information about which expenses can be claimed and the proper documentation required. Please ensure that you have properly documented your expenses, as any expenses that are not properly documented will not be considered.
After you have logged into the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms website, click on the blue Manage Requestsbutton at the top of the page.
Choose the option titled: Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request. Click on the green+ button to add the appeal to items that Need Action.
Most cost of attendance adjustment requests are funded with additional loan, work-study, or outside scholarships that you bring with you to Berkeley.
See below for details on the types of documentation needed for each item requested for the academic year and summer session enrollment.
Expenses & Supporting Documentation
Rent, Mortgage, Utilities
Copy of a signed lease agreement. If rent is not shared equally, you must provide documentation of your share of expenses. This can be done by providing proof of payment (receipts, Venmo transactions, etc). If married or living with a partner, the rent will be split equally.
Commuting to/from school; visits home during school breaks (maximum of two trips per academic year, one per term, or one international trip allowed per year).
Commuting expenses: Itemization of per-month amount calculated at standard rates. If using a private car, you must provide a copy of your DMV registration and a letter explaining why AC transit is not an option. Calculate this cost using 72.5 cents/mile, cost of tolls, and parking.
Trips home: Copy of actual travel bill or quote/estimate for 21 day advance purchase fare. Two reasonably priced domestic or one international trip allowed per year for yourself and dependent children under the age of 18.
Expenses for the cost/purchase of a computer.
Receipt, order form, or estimate for computer. Must be purchased during the period of enrollment. The date on the receipt or order form must fall between July 2026 - June 2027.
NOTE: You can request an increase for a computer once every three academic years.
Necessary Medical/Dental Expenses
Copy of billing statement or estimate, indicating patient name, cost, date, and type of treatment. The billing statement and/or estimate must indicate the amount paid by insurance. Note: Receipts or estimates that do not include the patient’s name will not be considered.
Childcare costs for dependent children under the age of 14.
If you are married, we can consider expenses if the spouse is also a student and/or working.
For licensed providers: a copy of the invoice or contract and verification of two months of payment.
For non-licensed providers: a signed letter from the provider and verification of two months of payment. Private school tuition and/or tutoring will not be considered.
Special Books and Supplies Items needed in addition to regular required materials. This includes computer supplies.
Itemized list approved by advisor (including travel). Items must be required for all students in the class.
Relocating expenses apply to only new, entering students relocating to Berkeley.
Receipts for actual rental truck expenses including gas receipts.
Relocating expenses DO NOT include security deposits, the purchase of household items, flights, or other expenses related to securing living arrangements prior to the start of the term. This also does not include the purchase of furniture.
Research, Fieldwork, or Thesis Expenses
Itemized list approved and signed by faculty advisor (including travel). Advisor must specify that costs are required for educational costs. Professional development costs are not allowed.
Rent, Mortgage, Utilities
Copy of a signed lease agreement. If rent is not shared equally, you must provide documentation of your share of expenses. This can be done by providing proof of payment (receipts, Venmo transactions, etc). If married or living with a partner, the rent will be split equally.
Childcare costs for dependent children under the age of 14.
If you are married, we can consider expenses if the spouse is also a student and/or working.
For licensed providers: a copy of the invoice or contract and verification of two months of payment.
For non-licensed providers: a signed letter from the provider and verification of two months of payment. Private school tuition and/or tutoring will not be considered.
NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS enrolled in Summer Session can also request the following during the summer:
Expenses for the cost/purchase of a computer.
Receipt, order form, or estimate for computer. Must be purchased during the period of enrollment.
NOTE: You can request an increase for a computer once every three academic years.
Relocating expenses
Receipts for actual rental truck expenses including gas receipts.
Relocating expenses DO NOT include security deposits, the purchase of household items, flights, or other expenses related to securing living arrangements prior to the start of the term. This also does not include the purchase of furniture.
Please Note: Any changes to your financial aid awards will be contingent on the type of funds available, eligibility policies, and regulations. Adjustments typically result in increases to loan or work-study eligibility.