The UC Berkeley Financial Aid and Scholarships Office works closely with the Student Parent Center to provide financial support to students with dependent children.
Cost of Attendance for student parents
The Cost of Attendance (COA) includes a standardized allowance to help student parents cover higher living expenses such as food, off-campus housing, transportation, and personal expenses. However, because this is an estimate, it does not take into account the number of dependent children in the household.
Actions to take:
- Login to CalCentral to view your cost of attendance.
- If your cost of attendance is lower than your financial reality, you can request a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (COAAR). You can request the addition of childcare costs for children under age 14, higher housing costs, and higher transportation costs to demonstrate that you may need more financial aid.
- For undergraduate student parents, your standard cost of attendance is funded with a combination of gift aid from all sources, including the undergraduate student parent grant, up to your calculated financial need. Any increases to your estimated cost of attendance as a result of an approved COAAR will be funded with additional loans and/or work-study.
- Qualifying graduate student parents can also apply for UC Berkeley’s graduate student parent grants.
Reduced course load
Many student parents often take a reduced course load because of parenting responsibilities. This option can be very helpful to many of our student parents. When considering this route, be sure to review the following:
Enrollment impacts on federal loans
Due to a new federal law, federal student loans amounts are now determined by a student’s level of enrollment, and there are unfortunately no exceptions for students with reduced course loads. If you are not enrolled full-time, your federal loan may be prorated/reduced. Understand the impacts of enrollment on federal loans and find resources to help.
Additional resources for student parents
At UC Berkeley, we care about our student parents, and have several resources available to support you as you make these important financial decisions.
Family housing
Graduate and Family Living offers support for student parents who are living in our campus family housing at the University Village Albany.
Subsidized childcare
Subsidized childcare is available through UC Berkeley’s Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) to qualifying UC Berkeley student parents. In fact, student parents receive priority for a number of free or reduced fee spaces. ECEP provides high-quality early learning and care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Basic needs assistance
UC Berkeley supports student basic needs through programs that assist with food, housing, and financial stability resources, and other essential services.
Student Parent Center
UC Berkeley’s Student Parent Center is a multi-purpose campus resource that connects student parents to the extensive resources available to them both on and off-campus.
Short-term emergency loans
Short-Term Emergency Loan are available to both undergraduate and graduate students who need a short-term solution for unanticipated expenses related to their cost of education.
Special circumstances and appeals
Appeals can be made through the Financial Aid and Scholarships office for special circumstances, economic hardship, or to adjust a student’s cost of attendance.