Financial Aid

 
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How to Apply (FAFSA)

When will the 2024-25 FAFSA Open?

In the past, the FAFSA opened annually on October 1. This year that won’t be the case. FSA anticipates the application opening sometime in December 2023 – no specific date yet. Because the FAFSA is required for some grant and scholarship programs, keeping track of deadlines established by colleges and other grant and scholarship providers will be important.

To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the renewal application at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa/. These applications are usually available beginning in October for the following academic year. If a student is interested in a State of California Cal-Grant, the FAFSA and a GPA verification form must be completed. It is important that California Community College students apply by the March 2nd Deadline or the September 2nd Deadline for the Cal-Grants. Additional information and eligibility requirements are available at the Financial Aid Office. By filing a complete application with all required documentation, students will have priority in the awarding of Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants if eligible, based on the submission date.

The information reported on the FAFSA may be verified by the Financial Aid Office using parent’s and/or the student’s Internal Revenue Service’s tax transcript.

Students must be able to provide a copy of their Social Security Card, Alien Registration Card (if applicable), and Photo ID for identification purposes.

Apply for FAFSA:

  1. Fill out the FAFSA application online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. It takes 5-7 business days for FAFSA to process the application.
  2. After 5-7 business days, log into your Campus Solutions account “To-Do List.” Review the instructions and complete required documentation.
  3. Submit all required documents at https://berkeleycitycollege.verifymyfafsa.com/account/registerstudent. Your file will be reviewed and processed within 6 weeks.
  4. Continue to check your “To-Do List” and Financial aid status on your Campus Solutions account for regular updates on your financial aid status.

IMPORTANT Deadlines:

  • Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) apply by April 1, 2024*
  • Federal Work Student (FWS) apply by April 1, 2024 *
  • Cal Grant Competitive and Entitlement apply by March 2, 2024 or Cal Grant Competitive only by September 2, 2024.
  • Pell Grant and Direct Loans – These funds are not limited, you can apply at any time through the Spring term of the award year.  The absolute deadline for filing a FAFSA for Pell Grant for the 2023-2024 award year is June 28, 2024.

*  SEOG and FWS funds are limited and vary by college.  If funds remain after awarding students who have met those deadlines of April 1, 2024, the colleges will continue to make awards on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For your application to be processed in a timely manner, all required documents must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by June 30, 2024.  Due to 2023-2024 year end closure, all financial aid supplemental paperwork must be submitted to the financial aid office by Monday, July 15, 2024. Late submission will not be accepted.