Family Contribution Appeal

Financial circumstances change, and those changes may affect you and/or your family’s ability to contribute to your education. We are here to help.

​Appeals for the 2023-24 school year will be available through the Berkeley Financial Aid Form portal website from May 1, 2023 to February 3, 2024.

 

NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS, you will be able to access the website that allows you to submit an appeal after you accept your offer of admission and create a CalNet ID. If you need immediate assistance, contact Cal Student Central.

 

Parent & Student Contribution Appeals Considerations

If your or your parents’ current income is substantially less than what you reported on the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, or if either income is substantially reduced by expenses due to certain extenuating circumstances, you can consider requesting a Parent or Student Contribution Appeal. We will review your appeal and make adjustments, as appropriate, based on their current financial situation.

​​What we will generally consider:

  • Loss or reduction of income, including but not limited to loss of employment, reduction of pay, death of a parent or spouse, and reduction/loss of child support; 
  • Change in income due to a divorce or separation; 
  • One time only income distributions; 
  • High out of pocket medical and/or dental expenses, K-12 private school tuition, or tax liens; 
  • Costs associated with a natural disaster​.

​What we do not consider:

  • Changes to assets or inability to liquidate assets;
  • Loss of overtime or bonus;
  • Bankruptcy, foreclosures or collection costs associated with outstanding debt;
  • Consumer debt (credit cards, car payments, loans, etc.);
  • Lottery or gambling winnings or losses;
  • One-time income used for non-life essential items (e.g.. family vacation);
  • Parents (step parents or biological parents) who do not wish to provide support;
  • Marital separation where the parents are still living together;

 

You can use the Cal-Culator to estimate how a change in your family’s income will impact your aid eligibility by following the Financial Aid Net Price Calculator instructions.