Veterans Education Benefits

• The CalVet College Fee Waiver is a state program for Dependents of Veterans designed to assist students in paying the systemwide resident tuition and student services fees.
• CalVet waiver authorization form is available from the California Department of Veterans Affairs by calling 1-800-952-5626 or from a Service Provider.
• Students must qualify as California residents for tuition purposes and apply for the CalVet waiver each academic year. 
• The CalVet waiver does not require a minimum number of enrolled units. Please review the financial aid requirements for Eligibility for Financial Aid.
• CalVet waiver does not pay for self-supporting programs as the State of California does not subsidize them. Learn Which Programs Are Not Covered By the Fee Waiver Benefit.
• CalVet waiver and Cal Grant can't be used at the same time, as both awards pay the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee. Undergraduate students eligible for both typically use the Cal Grant during the academic year and their CalVet waiver for the summer term.
• The CalVet waiver can be applied toward summer tuition but not applied toward campus fees. Students may be eligible for the summer fee grant based on the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the number of enrolled units. The summer fee grant is a fee-paying award and only applies toward campus fees. Summer fee grant information is available on the Summer Aid webpage. CalVet waiver does not pay for summer programs for non-UC visiting students.
• Veterans Benefits—Office of the Registrar provides information on the CalVet waiver.
• Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions about your financial aid.

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

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

• Students interested in receiving education benefits must submit the Vet eForm via CalCentral every semester. 

• Nonresident students using education benefits under the Chapter 33 program will be exempt from nonresident tuition. Students must qualify as residents for tuition purposes.

• The Veterans Benefits—Office of the Registrar provides information on Chapter 33.

• Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions about your financial aid.

• The Chapter 31 program is designed to assist students in paying the systemwide and campus-based tuition and fees.

• Veterans need to contact the Oakland VRE Regional Office to learn about Veteran Readiness and Employment—Chapter 31 eligibility and apply. This process takes several months, so please plan ahead. Students can reach the Oakland VRE Regional Office by calling (510) 637-6128 or emailing CH.VBAOAK@va.gov.

• Students interested in receiving education benefits must submit the Vet eForm via CalCentral each semester. 

• Nonresident students using education benefits under the Chapter 31 program will be exempt from nonresident tuition. Students must be classified as California residents for tuition purposes.

• Veterans Benefits—Office of the Registrar provides information on Chapter 31.

• Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions about your financial aid.

• The Chapter 35 program is designed to assist the child or spouse of a veteran or service member.

• Students may apply online for the Chapter 35 program. The VA provides the student with a monthly benefit amount.

• Nonresident students using benefits under the Chapter 35 program will be exempt from nonresident tuition. Students must be classified as California residents for tuition purposes.

• Veterans Benefits—Office of the Registrar provides information on Chapter 35.

• Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions about your financial aid.

• ROTC scholarships administered by the Department of Defense (DoD) are not treated as other financial assistance (OFA) and do not impact students’ eligibility for federal financial aid.

• We encourage ROTC students to apply for federal, state, or institutional financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

  • U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to studentaid.gov. Log into your account to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. Nonresident students may consider applying for residency for tuition purposes.

  • Non-U.S. citizens eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 may complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. Log into your account to complete the 2024-25 CADAA.

• UC Berkeley Air Force, Army, and Navy ROTC personnel are available on-campus for questions regarding the ROTC Scholarship. Questions can be emailed to Air Force ROTC at afrotc-military@berkeley.edu, Navy ROTC at atnrotc@military.berkeley.edu, and Army ROTC at armyrotc@berkeley.edu.

• Please open a case with Cal Student Central if you have questions about your financial aid.

How do I complete my 2024-2025 Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA)?

Reminder: The New FAFSA Form for 2024–25 is LIVE! The financial aid and scholarships office expects to have financial aid packages available for continuing students beginning in May 2024, provided that students complete their aid application by the priority deadline of May 2, 2024.

Please view Start Your 2024–25 FAFSA® Form for step-by-step instructions on completing the FAFSA. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to studentaid.gov. Log into your account to complete the 2024-25 FAFSA. Non-U.S. citizens eligible for in-state tuition under AB 540 may complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) at https://dream.csac.ca.gov. Log into your account to complete the 2024-25 CADAA.

What is the timeline for 2024-2025 Financial Aid?

2024–25 Financial Aid Timeline:

• Application Processing | Once we receive your application data from the Department of Education or the California Student Aid Commission, we will inform you by posting a message in the Communications section of My Finances on CalCentral.
• Form Corrections | The Department of Education has announced that students will be able to start making corrections to their FAFSA in the first half of March. Corrections for the CADAA are currently available.
• Verification | The verification process will start in April this year instead of February, as in prior years, and a smaller percentage of students will need to complete verification for 2024–25. If selected, you'll be notified in CalCentral and may have additional actions to take. Complete these tasks by the June 30, 2024, priority deadline to ensure your financial aid will be ready to disburse at the start of the Fall 2024 semester.
• Award Notification | We will email you when your financial aid offer is available for your review in May.
• Appeals | The Economic Hardship Appeal will be available in summer 2024. The exact date will be shared on our website when available.

Guidance for Mixed Status Families having difficulties completing the FAFSA is available at https://financialaid.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/FASFA-Mixed-Status-Families-and-FSA-IDs.pdf and on our FAFSA Simplification webpage.

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Beginning with the 2024-2025 award year, the Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in determining how much federal student aid you would receive if you attended the school. You can find more information on SAI at studentaid.gov.

The SAI, or the student aid index, replaces the EFC, or the expected family contribution, on the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Please review the FAFSA Simplification web page for answers to frequently asked questions.

Do veterans' education and noneducation benefits need to be reported as untaxed income on the FAFSA?

Effective with the 2024-25 award year, veterans' educational and noneducation benefits are no longer reported as untaxed income on the FAFSA. Veterans' noneducation benefits include disability, the death pension, dependency and indemnity compensation, and work-study allowance.

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

Yes, we can consider those circumstances for the upcoming academic year. The aid application for 2024-25 is based on income from 2022, and we know that it may not reflect your family's current employment or financial situation, especially given the global pandemic. If there has been a reduction in income due to a job loss, job change, divorce/separation, or reduction in child support, you may consider submitting an Expected Family Contribution appeal. Beginning in May, we will start accepting Economic Hardship appeals for the 2024-25 school year.

Visit our Economic Hardship Appeals website for more information about submitting an appeal.

Do Veterans need to report their parent(s) information on the FAFSA?

Veterans are considered independent for Title IV financial aid purposes and are not required to report parent information on the FAFSA.

Who is not a veteran?

An applicant will not indicate veteran status on the FAFSA if they served in the U.S. armed forces and will continue to serve through the end of the award year covered by the FAFSA, have not engaged in active duty, including basic training in the armed forces, are a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy, are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training purposes, or were engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces but released.

Will I receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant or the Children Of Fallen Heroes Scholarship in 2024-25?

Special Rule for Pell Grants replaces the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant and the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. Students who are less than 33 years old as of the first January 1 of the FAFSA award year and whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving in the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001, or serving as a public safety officer.

Eligible students will receive a maximum Pell Grant regardless of their SAI (adjusted for enrollment intensity as needed).

How does Cal Grant impact my VA Education Benefits?

Cal Grants like VA education benefits are tuition and fee-specific. Students eligible for Cal Grant will see the Cal Grant pay the systemwide resident tuition and student services fee, and the VA education benefits will pay the remaining fees.

Since the VA is the last payer, tuition and fee-specific awards on students' financial aid packages will reduce their certified VA education benefits.

How does Cal Grant impact the CalVet College Fee Waiver?

Like the CalVet College Fee Waiver, Cal Grant pays the systemwide resident tuition and student services fees. Since both awards pay the same tuition and fees, they cannot be used simultaneously. Students eligible for both typically use their Cal Grant during the academic year and their CalVet College Fee Waiver in the Summer.

Please get in touch with the California Department of Veterans Affairs regarding your CalVet College Fee Waiver eligibility.

Can my CalVet College Fee Waiver be applied to my Summer fees?

The CalVet Waiver can be applied toward summer tuition but not applied toward campus fees. Students may be eligible for the summer fee grant based on the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the number of enrolled units. The summer fee grant is a fee-paying award and only applies toward campus fees. Summer fee grant information is available on the Summer Aid webpage. CalVet waiver does not pay for summer programs for visiting students.

What is an estimated nonresident supplemental tuition waiver (NRST waiver)?

This waiver estimates your eligibility for the nonresident supplemental tuition based on the information you provided on your application for admission and your Statement of Legal Residence. Students are requested to review the residency Exceptions and Exemption requirements and contact the Residency Unit in the Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar determines the final confirmation for this waiver.

I am a nonresident student eligible for the ROTC scholarship. How do I apply for California residency?

Please get in touch with the Residency Affairs Unit to determine your eligibility for California residency.

Who determines what I am eligible to receive in VA Education Benefits?

The Department of Veterans Affairs determines eligibility for VA education benefits, not UC Berkeley. Berkeley falls under the VA Regional Processing Office in Muskogee, OK. Please contact the VA via one of the methods listed on their website to inquire.

What is my eligibility percentage? How many days of eligibility do I have?

The VA determines your eligibility percentage or days of eligibility. Please consider contacting them via Ask VA at https://ask.va.gov/.

What is certification of benefits? 

Certification is the information the school's certifying officer sends to the VA Regional Processing Office. The student's enrollment dates, units, and tuition and fees for some programs are part of the certification process. Please get in touch with veteransbenefits@berkeley.edu with certification questions.

How many units of enrollment are required for VA education benefits? 

The GI Bill® Comparison Tool can help you estimate how your credit hours affect your benefits. Your payment for tuition and fees may not be affected by the number of units you are taking, but it may impact your housing allowance. Please get in touch with veteransbenefits@berkeley.edu with questions.

Do I need to report my enrollment to the VA every month?

Yes, the Isakson and Roe Improvement Act of 2020 requires students to verify their continued enrollment electronically throughout the term. Please get in touch with the VA for more information.

What is the difference between Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a housing benefit the Department of Defense provides. The Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is a housing benefit the Department of Veterans Affairs provides.

Are you, your spouse (if married), or your parent(s) (if you live with your parent) receiving a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or living on a military base? If Yes, please open a case with Cal Student Central.

Where does the school report Veterans Education Benefits or ROTC Scholarships?

Veterans Education Benefits or ROTC Scholarships are reported as gift aid on Form 1098-T and are reflected in box 5.

Workshops - Cal Veteran Services Center (CVSC)

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 program calendar. In addition, students may reach the CVSC directly for information and be added to the listserv at veteranscenter@berkeley.edu.

The CVSC workshops include the following financial aid and scholarship information:
Apply for Aid
Verification Process
Economic Hardship Appeal
Cost of Attendance Adjustment
Students with Dependents
Berkeley Financial Aid Forms

Partnering Offices, Programs, and Tools

Academic Resources

Basic Needs Resources

Campus Partner Connect

Current Students

Parents Financial Aid Support Hub

Prospective Students

Refunds after Withdrawal

Signing Up for Direct Deposit

Student Health Insurance Plan

Types of Aid

Undocumented Student Program and UndocuGrads

Do you identify as a Dream Aid Recipient and/or Undocumented student? If so, please complete this form to be in touch with the Undocumented Student Program and UndocuGrads! 

The Undocumented Student Program (USP) is hosting the California Dream Act Application, CADAA workshops, and clinics to assist you in submitting your application for the CADAA priority deadline on May 2nd! Please visit https://undocu.berkeley.edu/events/.

FAFSA Workshop

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) is hosting a workshop to assist you in your application submission leading up to the FAFSA priority deadline on May 2nd! Please visit https://financialaid.berkeley.edu/apply-now/apply-for-aid/fafsa-simplification/.

Work-Study/Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP)

Mark your calendars! Work-Study/LAEP jobs for the 2024-25 year will be advertised beginning March 11, 2024, 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 soon after they are advertised.

Center for Financial Wellness

Meet your Financial Aid and Scholarships and Center for Financial Wellness Team. Come learn more about the Center for Financial Wellness and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office on March 14 from 12 pm to 5 pm! 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 upcoming events and continuous learning.

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 in your time of need. 

Student Tech Equity Program (STEP)

Students with financial need are invited to submit an application for the Spring Semester to the Student Tech Equity Program (STEP) to request a laptop, iClicker, and other related technology for the 2023-24 academic year. Spring applications are open through April 21st. For students who have devices to return, please initiate this process by visiting https://tinyurl.com/STEPReturns. For more information, please schedule an office hours appointment with a STEP team member.

• Cal Student Central is the destination for student university business related to financial aid, fees and billing, disbursements, registration, and enrollment.

• Please contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office by opening a case with Cal Student Central.