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 Cal Vet Fee Waiver is approved by Cal Vet based on their authorization criteria. The authorization form is available from County Veterans Services.

• Students need to provide Veterans Benefits 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).

  • 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.

• 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 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the 2025-26 California Dream Act Application (CADAA)?

The 2025–26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CADAA (California Dream Act Application) are available. Please review FAFSA Completion Overview

• Collect the documents and information that you need. This includes tax returns for 2023.
• A parent who contributed to your FAFSA last year will already have an FSA ID. Parent contributors can access their FSA IDs at studentaid.gov.
• The priority deadline for the 2025-26 FAFSA and CADAA has been extended to April 2, 2025.

I was selected for 2025-26 FAFSA Verification. Where can I submit the requested documents?

If you have completed the 2025-26 FAFSA or CADAA, and have been selected for verification, you can submit your 2025-26 verification documents 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 for the 2024-25 academic year?

The priority submission deadline to request a cost of attendance adjustment for the 2024-25 year is Friday, April 4, 2025. Please visit the Cost of Attendance Adjustment web page.

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 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.

CADAA Workshops

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is hosting California Dream Act Application (CADAA) workshops to assist you in filing your 2025-26 CADAA by the priority deadline of April 2nd! Please visit Undocumented Student Program (USP). 

FAFSA Workshops

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) is hosting Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assist you in filing your 2025-26 FAFSA by the priority deadline of April 2nd! Please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Events web page.

Work-Study/Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

Mark your calendars! Work-Study/LAEP jobs for the 2025-26 year will be advertised beginning March 2025, within the Work-Study Management System (WSMS). Get a head start by updating your resume and/or cover letter so that you can be prepared to apply for jobs.

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.

Basic Needs Center

Need assistance with essential resources that impact your health, belonging, persistence, and overall well-being? Visit the Basic Needs Center, and someone will help you navigate the many options available to you.

Student Technology Equity Program (STEP)

Connects students to essential technology.  The Student Tech Equity Program (STEP)  provides need-based loans of technology hardware.  Interested, please visit https://technology.berkeley.edu/STEP for more information.

• 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.