Yo, I live in Cali and I'm interested in UC Berkeley. I've read that in-state tuition is way cheaper than out-of-state. Anyone have the specifics? And what about financial aid or scholarships, how do they work? Appreciate any help!
Hello! UC Berkeley is indeed less expensive for California residents. The tuition for in-state students is currently around $13,146 per academic year, not including other costs such as room & board, books, or personal expenses.
As for financial aid, there are a couple of different routes you can take. Firstly, you'll want to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), as well as the California Dream Act Application if it applies to you. This can help you get federal and state financial aid, which can include grants or loans.
Then there's the UC's own system of providing financial aid, known as the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan. If your family's income is less than $80,000 a year and you qualify for financial aid, this plan covers at least the same amount as your systemwide — or base — tuition and fees.
There are also a plethora of scholarships available, both through UC Berkeley itself and outside organizations. Berkeley offers scholarships based on things like academic merit, artistic achievement, and public service, to name a few. Outside scholarships can have an incredibly wide range of qualifications, so it's worth conducting a broad search.
Keep in mind, though, that any scholarships or grants you receive will be counted as part of your family's total resources when calculating need-based financial aid, which can reduce the amount of need-based aid you're eligible for.
I hope this clarifies things a bit for you. Best of luck with your college journey!
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