Effective May 1, 2008, the U.C. Berkeley J.D. Admissions and Financial Aid Offices will relocate from 5 Boalt Hall to 2000 Center Street , Suite 400, Berkeley, CA 94704-7220. Please direct all mail to our new address. All other contact information will remain the same:
The following table shows the average expenses for a nine-month
academic year, based on 2008-09 fee levels, but students should take
into account their own spending and the possibility of unforeseen expenses.
2008-2009 J.D. Program Expenses
Tuition & Fees(All tuition and fees are subject to change.)
California Resident Fees
$30,944.00
(Fall, $15,472.00)
(Spring, $15,472.00)
Nonresident Tuition and Fees
$43,189.00
(Fall, $21,594.50)
(Spring, $21,594.50)
Nine-Month Academic Year Living Expenses
Food & Housing**
$15,370.00
Books & Supplies
$1,495.00
Personal (maintenance, clothing, recreation, etc.)
$2,338.00
Transportation
$2,680.00
Total
Resident
$53,119.00
Nonresident
$65,364.00
**Based on off-campus housing expenses.
What Aid Is Available?
The law school seeks to provide need-based financial aid sufficient to permit any admitted students to attend Boalt. Indeed, approximately 89 percent of Boalt Hall students receive some form of financial aid. Need-based grants and scholarships are awarded as described below (How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?). Additionally, Boalt offers supplemental scholarships to continuing students and makes available an array of federal and private student loans.
How Do I Apply For Financial Aid?
Applicants for admission, transfer applicants, and continuing students must submit the applications that pertain to their status. Boalt Hall’s Financial Aid Office works collaboratively with the campus Financial Aid Office to provide grants, scholarships, and student loans to law students. Although these offices provide many identical services, Boalt Hall’s Financial Aid Office administers the majority of need-based grants and scholarships for Boalt students. To apply for any need-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, federal or private student loans, and work-study (during second and third-year), please read carefully the applicable section below:
Applicants For Admission:
Submit the Need Access Application online at NeedAccess.org. If you will not be 30 by December 31 of the fall semester or meet the requirements for financial independence (see Need-Based Grants), you must also provide parent information.
Transfer or Advanced-Standing Applicants:
Submit the Need Access Application online at NeedAccess.org. If you will not be 30 by December 31 of the fall semester or meet the requirements for financial independence (see Need-Based Grants), you must also provide parent information.
Continuing Boalt Students
You must submit a FAFSA each year by the March 2 deadline for grant, scholarship and work study eligibility.
If you are a member of the Class of 2010, you must submit the Need
Access Application at NeedAccess.org. If you will not be 30 by December
31 of the fall semester, determined to be independent, or meet the
requirements for financial independence, you must also provide parent
information.
All Students
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling 510-642-1563, sending a fax to 510-643-6222 or sending an email to financial-aid@law.berkeley.edu.
How Is My Eligibility Determined?
The university uses a standard student budget when packaging federal and campus-based financial aid awards. Other expenses may be taken into consideration, such as child care, uninsured medical costs, and relocation expenses (for entering students). These adjustments to the standard student budget are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. The Graduate/Professional Unit Budget Appeal Form can be downloaded at http://students.berkeley.edu/fao/pdf/grbudgapp08-09.pdf beginning August 2008. Completed Budget Appeal Forms for law students should be submitted to
the Boalt Financial Aid Office at 2000 Center Street.
The law school produces grant and scholarship offers independently and notifies recipients directly. Grant and scholarship awards made by the law school are assimilated into the federal student aid offer and result in a package combining the federal student loans, campus-based aid, and grants and scholarships. Graduate PLUS Loan or private student loan eligibility is generally the difference between the standard student budget and the financial aid package.
How Do I Establish California Residency?
Nonresidents may become residents of California after one year at Boalt Hall if they take appropriate steps and meet certain eligibility requirements. For information on residency, visit the Berkeley Office of the Registrar's website at http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Residency/legalinfo.html, call 510-642-5990 or write to:
Residence Deputy
University of California, Berkeley
Office of the Registrar
120 Sproul Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-5404
What Aid Is Available for International Students?
University policy requires international students to demonstrate the ability to pay their expenses through their first year. Continuing international students may apply for limited student aid funds through the university and should contact the Foreign Student Advising Office at the International House for additional information. International students may submit a Need Access Application in order to be considered for a need-based grant from Boalt Hall.
What Are the Policies for Withdrawing Students?
UC Berkeley has developed a financial aid policy for students who withdraw from school without completing a program. To learn more about this policy, visit the UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office website at http://uga.berkeley.edu/fao/withdrawal.htm.
