UC Berkeley Scholarships: Your Options + Tips

UC Berkeley scholarships can make a world-class education more affordable for students from all backgrounds. The school’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office partners with students to provide access to a wide range of scholarship opportunities. In addition to UC Berkeley scholarships, students are encouraged to explore outside scholarships to help cover educational costs.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the different types of scholarships available at UC Berkeley. You’ll also find important information on application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and how to manage outside scholarships. This guide will help you understand how to make the most of UC Berkeley’s financial aid resources.

• What Scholarships are Available at UC Berkeley?
• UC Berkeley Scholarships Application Deadlines
• Why Your Gratitude Matters
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Scholarships are Available at UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley is ranked the No. 2 public university in the United States. While gaining admission is a major achievement, the cost of attendance is another challenge. Fortunately, UC Berkeley offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid to make education more accessible.

UC Berkeley scholarships include both need- and merit-based options, funded through state support, private donors, and the university’s endowment. Here are the scholarships available:

1. Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship

The Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship is UC Berkeley’s oldest and most distinguished scholarship program, awarded to undergraduates who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. Each year, more than 3,000 students benefit from this scholarship, supported by nearly 900 university and privately funded sources. There’s no separate application—just submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application to be considered.

Scholarships are awarded based on standards set by the Academic Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid. To qualify, you must meet both merit and need-based requirements:

• Incoming freshmen from California or AB 540 eligible with a GPA of 4.1 or higher
• Transfer students from California community colleges or AB 540 eligible with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Continuing UC Berkeley students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher

Scholarship amounts vary depending on financial need. Students who qualify for aid but fall below the GPA requirement may still receive a University Grant instead.

2. Fiat Lux Scholarship

Created for high-achieving students from select partner high schools in California, the  Fiat Lux Scholarship is a full support system. Think academic help, a built-in community, and one of the highest honors you can get as an incoming Berkeley student.

This scholarship covers your full financial need for up to eight semesters—no extra application needed. Just submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, and you’re in the running.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an incoming freshman
• Have attended a Fiat Lux partner high school for at least three years
• Be a California resident or qualify for a nonresident tuition exemption
• Be a U.S. citizen, eligible noncitizen, or AB 540 student
• Qualify for need-based financial aid

If you’re a strong candidate, you’ll be invited to a one-on-one interview with a faculty member in the spring. Final decisions are made after that.

3. Middle Class Scholarship

UC Berkeley’s Middle Class Scholarship is designed to help make college more affordable for California families who don’t qualify for full financial aid but still need help covering costs. It’s available to new, transfer, and returning undergrads, plus students earning a teaching credential, attending any UC campus, including UC Berkeley.

If your family’s income and assets fall within the program’s limits (subject to the California State Budget), you could be eligible for support during the 2025–26 school year.

Award amounts aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re personalized based on:

• Your total cost of attendance
• Any gift aid you already receive (Cal Grant, Pell Grant, UC Berkeley scholarships, etc.)
• A standard self-help contribution of $8,154 (think of this as what the program expects you to contribute through work or loans)
• A parent contribution (for dependent students with family income over $100,000)

These factors—called your “available resources”—are subtracted from your total cost to calculate your MCS award. So, depending on your situation, awards can vary a lot from student to student.

To qualify, you must be:

• An undergraduate or teaching credential student at a UC campus
• A California resident or eligible AB 540 student
• From a family with income and assets under the set limits (updated annually)
• Planning to attend in 2025–26, and
• Filing on time for financial aid

No complicated extra applications here. To be considered, simply submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by the March 2 state deadline. UC Berkeley recommends submitting your GPA Verification Form to the California Student Aid Commission for Cal Grant consideration.

4. Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship

The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship is UC Berkeley’s most prestigious scholarship for incoming undergrads. It’s awarded to an exceptional group of students who show not just academic excellence, but also leadership, creativity, service, and strong personal values.

Being a Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholar comes with some seriously cool perks:

• Priority enrollment for classes
• A monetary award that starts at $2,500 per year (can be higher based on financial need)
• Renewable for up to 8 semesters (for first-years) or 4 semesters (for transfers)
• Access to the Research & Professional Development Fellowship (up to $1,000 in funding for research projects or conference travel)
• Guaranteed on-campus housing for the full duration of the scholarship
• Direct access to faculty mentors and an exclusive network of peers and alumni

You’re automatically considered for this scholarship if you apply to UC Berkeley. That includes:

• California residents, out-of-state, and international students
• High school seniors and transfer applicants
• You’ll need to complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application if you want to be considered for need-based aid or additional scholarships.

Here’s what to expect in the selection process:

• A faculty committee hand-picks top applicants based on a holistic review.
• First-year applicants may be invited to a faculty interview in early March.
• Scholarship decisions for freshmen go out in late March.
• Transfer applicants are reviewed in early May based on their admissions file, no interview is required

Even if you’re not selected for this scholarship, don’t worry—you’ll still be considered for many other UC Berkeley scholarships based on your application and financial aid forms.

Quick note on outside scholarships: If you’re awarded the minimum $2,500, outside scholarships won’t affect your award. But if you’re receiving a need-based Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship, your financial aid package may be adjusted if you get additional outside funds.

5. SkyDeck Intern Scholarship

The SkyDeck Intern Scholarship is your chance to land a paid internship at a startup—right here at UC Berkeley’s SkyDeck—and get financial support while you’re at it.

Thanks to the generosity of Simon Ru and Sharon Wu (big supporters of student innovation!), the Ru and Wu Innovation Fund was created to help students with financial need participate in the SkyDeck Intern Program. Instead of working for free, you’ll get paid to gain real-world experience at a high-growth startup.

If selected, you’ll receive:

• A $4,000 stipend for the semester
• Hands-on experience interning at a SkyDeck startup
• A chance to build connections and skills that look very good on a résumé
• To get the full amount, you’ll need to commit to at least 15 hours per week for the entire fall or spring semester.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a UC Berkeley undergrad
• Receive financial aid (Pell Grant, Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Parent Grant, or Fiat Lux Scholarship)
• Have secured an unpaid internship with a SkyDeck startup via the SkyDeck Intern Fair
• Enroll in the SkyDeck ACE Intern Program for the semester
• If you’re an international student, make sure your visa allows you to accept paid internships in the U.S.

Here’s the timeline for Spring or Fall 2025:

• Nov 25, 2024 – Applications open
• Dec 8, 2024 (by 11:59 PM PT) – Application deadline
• Dec 12, 2024 – Scholarship recipients announced

Just land your unpaid internship through the SkyDeck Intern Fair, submit your application, and you could be one of the four students awarded this awesome opportunity each semester.

6. Outside scholarships

UC Berkeley students receive over $15 million each year from outside scholarships. These awards come from external sources, meaning they are not provided by the university, the federal government, or the state. Outside scholarships can significantly ease a student’s financial burden by reducing the amount they would otherwise need to cover through work-study jobs or student loans.

If you’re awarded an outside scholarship, follow these steps:

• Make the check payable to UC Regents.
• Ask the provider to include your Student ID (SID) on the check. Be sure to give them your SID in advance.
• Ask the provider to specify whether the funds are for Fall, Spring, or both. If no term is listed, UC Berkeley will split the award evenly between semesters.
• Report the scholarship in CalCentral by going to “Awards for Gift Aid” and clicking “Report Outside Resources.”
• If you have issues with the form, email [email protected] and include the scholarship amount and provider information.

Receiving a scholarship at UC Berkeley is a big achievement, made possible by generous donors who believe in your potential and want to support your success.

To say thanks, the university asks you to complete a short scholarship profile and, sometimes, record a quick video message. These small acts of gratitude help donors see the real difference they’re making and help ensure future students can benefit too.

UC Berkeley Scholarships Application Deadlines

Navigating scholarship deadlines is key to making the most of the financial aid opportunities available at UC Berkeley. With millions awarded each year through various programs, staying on top of important dates ensures you don’t miss out on funding that could significantly lower your college costs.

Below is a breakdown of the major UC Berkeley scholarship deadlines you need to keep in mind.

The Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship follows the standard UC application cycle, so students must apply for admission by the November deadline, no extra scholarship form is required.

The Fiat Lux Scholarship doesn’t require a separate application either; students are automatically considered when they file their FAFSA or Dream Act Application by April 2, 2025, UC Berkeley’s extended priority deadline.

For the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), students must submit their FAFSA or CADAA by March 2, 2025, which is the official California state deadline, though Berkeley’s internal priority deadline is also extended to April 2, 2025.

The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship also doesn’t require a separate application. Students are considered based on their UC admissions application, with interviews for first-year students held in early March and award decisions released in late March. Transfer applicants are evaluated in early May.

Lastly, the SkyDeck Intern Scholarship has a separate timeline, with applications opening on November 25, 2024, a submission deadline of December 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT, and notifications sent out by December 12, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does UC Berkeley give merit scholarships?

Yes, UC Berkeley offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships, such as the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship, which is the most prestigious merit award given to incoming students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service.

2. Do I need to submit a separate application to be considered for UC Berkeley scholarships?

Most UC Berkeley scholarships do not require a separate application. When you apply for admission and submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, you’re automatically considered for many scholarships, including need-based and merit-based awards.

3. Can I receive both need-based and merit-based scholarships at UC Berkeley?

Yes, it’s possible to receive a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships, depending on your qualifications and financial aid eligibility.

4. How much can I receive from UC Berkeley scholarships?

Amounts vary by scholarship and your financial need. For example, the Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship amount depends on your aid eligibility, while the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship provides a minimum of $2,500 per year, with the potential for more based on financial need.

Takeaways

• Most UC Berkeley scholarships are automatically considered when you submit your admissions application and financial aid forms like the FAFSA or CA Dream Act.
• UC Berkeley offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships. Students may qualify for financial support based on academic achievement, financial need, or both, making scholarships accessible to a wide range of applicants.
• Awards like the Fiat Lux and Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarships provide mentorship, academic support, networking, and even priority enrollment and guaranteed housing.
• Students receive over $15 million annually in scholarships from non-UC sources, which can reduce reliance on loans or work-study programs.
• A college admissions expert can guide you through deadlines, help position your application for competitive scholarships, and ensure your financial aid strategy aligns with UC Berkeley’s available resources.