Financing a Graduate Education

The Berkeley College Financial Aid Department helps students understand the financial aid process. Students are encouraged to review their available options. All students are provided the opportunity to meet with a Berkeley College Financial Aid Administrator.

The first step for students interested in applying for financial aid is to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. This is only required if you are interested in Federal Student Loans or participating in the Federal Work Study program.

Additional information about the FAFSA is available here.

Berkeley College recommends that students avoid unnecessary borrowing. College financial aid packages are developed with this goal in mind. Federal student loans are available to graduate students, along with select institutional scholarships. Federal Work Study is awarded after the package based on the student’s interest, request, eligibility and job availability. Federal grants (such as the Federal Pell Grant) are not available to graduate students.

Financial aid awards are determined by the Berkeley College Financial Aid Department. Financial aid is typically offered and awarded to eligible students in a “financial aid package,” detailing the student’s eligibility for federal loans and institutional scholarships. Each financial aid package also reflects charges that are payable directly to the College, including tuition, fees, and the cost of housing obtained through the College.

The Financial Aid Department assembles student financial aid packages in the following order, with due consideration given to students’ eligibility for various programs and in accordance with federal formulas:

1. Scholarships
2. Berkeley College Grants and Scholarships (not based upon need)
3. Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Veterans Affairs Chapter 33 (if applicable))
4. Outside resources (such as private scholarships, VA benefits other than Post-9/11 GI Bill®, tuition reimbursement etc.)
5. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
6. Federal Work Study
7. Federal Graduate PLUS Loans (upon request and only if Federal Student Loans are exhausted)

Following the student’s submission of the FAFSA and the College’s receipt of the ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record), initial award notice will be provided to the student. This initial award notice contains estimates based on the information submitted. Award amounts may increase or decrease (as a result of, for instance, a change in the student’s academic or financial status). Students are electronically notified when their financial aid awards have been updated. Revised award notices are available through Self-Service on Engage.