Veterans Education Benefits

• The Cal Vet Fee Waiver from the California Department of Veterans Affairs assists students with the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee.

• The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), through its local County Veterans Services Offices (CVSO), approves the Cal Vet Fee Waiver, not directly through UC Berkeley. Students must apply via a CVSO, and upon approval, submit the authorization letter to UC Berkeley’s Veteran Benefits unit for processing. The authorization form is available from County Veterans Services.

• Students need to provide Veterans Benefits with a copy of their current Authorization Letter each academic year.

• Cal Grant and Cal Vet cannot be used simultaneously; students eligible for Cal Grant use their Cal Vet for the summer term.

• Please review the financial aid eligibility requirements at Eligibility for Financial Aid and Summer Aid. 

• The Chapter 33 program is designed to assist students in paying the systemwide tuition and campus-based fees. 

• The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for educational benefits, and students may apply online at VA.GOV.

• Students interested in receiving educational benefits at UC Berkeley must submit a Veteran Services Intake Request.

• Every subsequent term, students who plan to use educational benefits must submit a VA Enrollment Certification Request.

• Chapter 31 is a return-to-work program for veterans that requires approval by a Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) case manager. 

• Chapter 31 may assist students in paying the systemwide tuition and campus-based fees, excluding Health Insurance.

• Veterans need to contact the Oakland VA Regional Office to determine eligibility for VRE, Chapter 31. Please plan ahead as this process can take several months.

• Students interested in receiving educational benefits at UC Berkeley must submit a Veteran Services Intake Request.

• Every subsequent term, students who plan to use educational benefits must submit a VA Enrollment Certification Request.

• The Chapter 35 program is designed to assist the child or spouse of disabled veterans.

  • Apply for education benefits as an eligible dependent at VA.GOV.

  • Learn about the Fry Scholarship for eligible dependents.

• Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Navy ROTC students may apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

• Students may email scholarship questions to their respective UC Berkeley ROTC branch.

  • Air Force ROTC (https://airforcerotc.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

  • Army ROTC (https://army.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

  • Navy ROTC (https://nrotc.berkeley.edu/contact-unit/)

Where can I find the link to complete the financial aid application?

• • Citizens and eligible non-citizens may consider completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

  • Non-citizens eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 may consider completing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov.

I was selected for FAFSA/CADAA Verification. Where can I submit the requested documents?

The requested verification documents are submitted using the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms.

My income has changed and does not reflect the information provided on my financial aid application; can I submit an appeal?

You may consider completing the Economic Hardship Appeal using the Berkeley Financial Aid Forms.

What is the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request priority submission deadline?

Please visit the Cost of Attendance Adjustment web page for the priority submission deadline(s).

If I am eligible for Cal Grant and VA Education Benefits, what fees will be paid by my veteran education benefits?

Cal Grants, like VA education benefits, are tuition and fee-specific awards. Students eligible for Cal Grant will see the Cal Grant award pay the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee, and the VA education benefits pay the New Student Programming Fee, Document Management Fee, Berkeley Campus Fee, Instructional Resilience & Enhancement Fee, Class Pass Fee, and Health Insurance Fee. 

What steps do I need to take if I receive Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a housing benefit provided by the Department of Defense.   

If you are living off base and are receiving a basic housing allowance (BAH), please open a case with Cal Student Central.

Please note that for BAH benefit recipients, the UCB standard housing budget component amount will be zeroed out.    

If/When you are no longer receiving the BAH, please open a case with  Cal Student Central and upload a copy of the DD214.  The Financial Aid Office will then make the appropriate revision.

Where can I get the tax form that reflects Veterans Education Benefits and ROTC Scholarships?

The 1098-T forms are available from Student Billing. Veterans Education Benefits and ROTC Scholarships are reflected in box 5 of the 1098-T form.

CVSC Workshops 

The Cal Veteran Services Center (CVSC) conducts several workshops to inform students about financial aid and scholarship matters. The CVSC notifies students of these workshops via email, social media, and their virtual bulletin board. In addition, students may reach the CVSC directly for information and be added to the listserv at veteranscenter@berkeley.edu.

• Cal Student Central is your destination for key university business related to financial aid, fees and billing, payments, disbursements, registration, and enrollment. Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions.

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  Center for Financial Wellness

  Meet your Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Center for Financial Wellness Team. Come learn more about the Center for Financial Wellness and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. Familiarize yourself with the staff and financial wellness peer advisors that are here to serve you. Follow us on Instagram@UCB.FinancialWellness to learn more about the Center for Financial Wellness.

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  Basic Needs Center

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  Student Technology Equity Program (STEP)

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