Frequently Asked Questions

Campus/Academics

Lost or Stolen or Damaged Passes

Obtain a new Cal 1 Card from the Cal 1 Card office. The Cal 1 Card office cannot replace the Class Pass sticker; you will have to come to the Parking & Transportation Office, to request your new Class Pass sticker. A lost or damaged Class Pass sticker will be replaced for a fee. P&T will only waive that fee if the Cal 1 Card with the Class Pass sticker was stolen.

How do I get a class pass?

To be eligible for a Class Pass, you must be registered as a student and enrolled in at least one course. Your registration fees must be paid in full (or the first installment paid, if you are on a deferred payment plan), and there should be no blocks on your registration. You can check your registration status at the Bear Facts Website. You will need to show your Cal ID card to get your pass. Where to Get Your Class Pass? You may pick up your Class Pass sticker at the Cal 1 Card office located in Lower Sproul Plaza, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Be sure to bring your Cal Photo ID card with you to verify your student status. How to Use Your Class Pass? The Cal 1 Card office will affix the Class Pass sticker to your Cal 1 Card. Then, simply show your pass to the driver when you board either an AC Transit bus or a BearTransit campus shuttle. Go to BearTransit for more information.

What is the class pass?

The Class Pass enables registeres students to ride free of charge on AC Transit buses and Bear Transit shuttle throughout the semester.

Where can I park on campus?

There are two different parking permits Student "S" Permit, issued to students residing outside of the desinated boundary and Student "S" Carpool Permit, issued to students residing outside of the desinated boundary and C, F, and S carpool permits can carpool together. Click here for more information.

What is a reduced course load? How do I access one?

Student parents with majors in the College of Letters and Sciences and also in the College of Natural Resources can submit a reduced course load request, based on family responsibilities, (and also for other reasons, like employment and/ or a disability). Other colleges (Engineering, Chemistry, Business, College of Environmental Design) do not have a formal policy but do approve reduced course schedules on a case by case basis. In most instances you will retain the same level of financial aid grants, but the sources may change a bit. This policy can also provide a way for students to reduce to half time (6 units) due to pregnancy. As a student parent in Letters and Sciences you can request a reduced course load, typically a minimum of 8 units, for parenting reasons.

Childcare

What if you are not accepted?

There is a great demand for our services, particularly for infants and young toddlers, and unfortunately we are not able to serve all families who apply. If you are eligible for subsidized services, but are not accepted into the program due to space limitations, low priority number or late application, you will be placed on an Eligibility List and called when a vacancy in an age appropriate center occurs for which your child is eligible. Status on the Eligibility List is based on income and unlike a waiting list your status does not automatically improve over time. All applications are reviewed according to State Eligibility Guidelines as they are submitted and the Eligibility List is updated accordingly. It is your responsibility to inform the Early Childhood Education Programs Office if there is a change in your income, family size, activity of either parent, or if you want your application withdrawn from the list. Although the majority of new acceptances are for enrollment in the fall semester, any vacancies that occur during the year will be filled from the Wait List applicants. Enrollment is possible at any time, though most calls about fall acceptance for student families occur between early June and August We do not maintain a list of referrals, but a couple of alternatives you may wish to look into are the Berkeley Unified Child Development Center 644-6203, Albany Children's Center 559-6590 and Bananas 658-0381. UC Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program does not discriminate in its admission policies against any child because of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, religion, color or ethnic background. We serve within the limits of our professional abilities children with special needs (physical, linguistic, mental and/or emotional). We ensure that all family records are kept confidential.

What are the hours?

Families are generally offered five full days of early childhood education services from 7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. However, some rooms at ‘nine-month’ centers may have a shorter day (9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for example). And a very limited number of part-week (3-4 days/week) spaces may be available at specific centers. The Admissions Coordinator will have current information.

When is applications due for the program?

Admission can be offered at any time, though most acceptance offers for student families occur between early June and August. Initial acceptances are made on the basis of information on your application, the age of your child, and the vacant spaces in each classroom. If you are applying for full-fee care, once we receive your application, you will be offered a tour of your potential site with the Center Director. You may be given all necessary paperwork as well as a contract at the time of the visit. If you are applying for subsidized care, once you have been notified of your tentative acceptance, you will be scheduled for an intake interview with the Admissions Coordinator to determine your eligibility. After you have been approved, you will be scheduled for a tour with the Center Director and you may receive all necessary paperwork as well as a contract at that time.

What is the process one my child is accepted into the Early Childhood Education Program?

  • A completed confidential application
  • Current income verification (for subsidized care only)
  • Child's Medical Form (completed by a physician)
  • Training Verification form (for subsidized care only)
  • Proof of current UCB Registration (for subsidized care only)
  • Child's Birth Certificate (for subsidized care only)
  • Child’s Immunization Record Your child's Medical Form, need not be submitted at the time of application, but will be required upon notification of acceptance to the program. You may want to schedule an appointment with your child's physician for completion of the medical form if you have not already done so.

Does UC Berkeley offer childcare?

The University of California, Berkeley Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) has a limited number of subsidized early childhood education spaces for students who qualify for California Department of Education subsidies (free or sliding-scale). Students must also meet need eligibility requirements; see ECEP’s Application and Instructions for Subsidized Services for more information click here.

During the Pandemic

What Child Care options are available during the pandemic?

There are options in the private/personal/non-UC Berkeley sector for childcare, meaning that you will always have the freedom to secure child care from a provider that may or may not be licensed and/or accredited, by the state of CA.

The SPC understands that quality care isn't always licensed or accredited by the state, and also is responsible for ensuring that you are not sending your child into harm's way, by referring you to private providers pragmatically, or "on the fly", so to speak.

At the start of the semester, the SPC will begin to refer students to private/personal/non-UC Berkeley providers, but with disclaimers that we are not responsible for any harm that might come to you or your dependents, moving forward. We will have more resources of this nature over the next two weeks.

We can also refer you to the independent licensed community providers below, that might possibly be an option during the pandemic.

*Back-Up Child Care

*Berkeley Parents Network

Is the SPC still open? When and how?

are still 100% open, virtually/online. Our hours will be from 9a - 5p Monday thru Friday. We will start our Front Virtual Desk during the week of August 10th, 2020. Desk times will be fragmented to respect the COVID-19 shelter in place family obligations for both student and professional staff members.

I don't have Child Care for the Fall 2020 Semester, due to COVID 19 restrictions, how can I best balance the time for my classwork AND taking care of my kids at the same time?

The key factor that most student parents face is the balance of TIME for both student and parent obligations, something that was more feasible before the pandemic. The student parent AND the dependents were at a separate location for a fixed amount of TIME, giving more options to the student parent for methods to complete classwork ahead of parenting responsibilities.

In the COVID 19 pandemic, without child care, you will more than likely need an academic accommodation/modification due to parenting obligations.

To learn more about your academic accommodations as a student parent on campus, please take (you guessed it!), time to review our latest workshop on the historical context and best practices, found HERE

To request an accommodation letter, please email studentparents@berkeley.edu or tlenear@berkeley.edu.

During the pandemic I lost supplemental income and owe late fees. Will I be able to enroll in classes next semester?

Yes, you will. In response to the unusual and challenging circumstances that our students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cancel for Non-Payment (CNP) policy will be suspended for the Fall 2020 semester. The following deadlines and fees still apply to all students

I'm living in UC Village during the pandemic and I can't afford to pay back rent. Will I be evicted?

No. If you are living in UC Village and you cannot afford to pay back rent, you will not be evicted. Governor Newsom signed AB 3088, which prevents landlords from evicting tenants for failure to pay rent for COVID-19-related financial distress.

Financial Aid

What is a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (COAAR) form? Does this add more money to my Financial Aid budget?

COAAR allows you to increase your budget and financial aid eligibility if your expenses during the academic year are higher than your standard financial aid budget. If you complete the form and are approved, money will be added to your financial aid budget. Aid is usually added in the form of loans (money you pay back). However, there are some cases where the money comes from grants (money you do not have to pay back).

What is the Budget Appeal for family expenses?

Student parents are initially packaged based on the same set of expenses provided for in a "standard student budget". Students who are eligible for need-based awards and have family-related expenses can submit a Budget Appeal to request an increased award level to help cover child care, housing, and other family maintenance expenses (like food, clothing, transportation). Student Parent Center staff and interns can assist you with navigating through any/all of these forms and eligibility procedures.

What is a Student Contribution Appeal?

If the income (and/or a spouses income) that you documented for your FAFSA application (on which your initial financial aid offer will be based) will be changing when you start school, you can update your financial information using this appeal form, which may result in additional grant or loan eligibility.

Are there any grants for student parents?

If you qualify for need-based aid, the financial aid office provides a student parent grant (of up to 8,600) over and above other grants that you may be eligible for.

Food and Donation

What is the food pantry ?

The UC Berkeley Food Pantry project is a direct response to the need among the student population for more resources to fight food insecurity—the lack of nutritious food. Visit them at Stiles Hall at 2400 Bancroft Way, don't forget your Student ID.

What is SPARR?

SPARR stands for "Student Parent Association for Recruitment and Retention." SPARR recieves fresh food donations from Whole Foods in the UC Village, bread twice a week from Cheese Board and once per week from Noah's Bagels. For more information about donations please contact SPARR.

Where is the Bear Pantry located?

The Bear Pantry is located at Apparatus Bay Lot, located at 1040 Monroe St. Albany, CA 94706.

What is Bear Pantry?

A Bear Pantry food bin contains a two-week food supply and a $30 gift card to a local supermarket for purchasing fresh produce, meat or dairy.

Kids

I live in the UC Village, which public school do I send my children?

Albany Unified School District (AUSD) provides an excellent public education that empower all to achieve thier fullest potential as productive citizens. AUSD is committed to creating comprehensive learning opportunities in a safe, supportative and collaborative environment, addressing the individual needs of each student. Albany has seven public schools, Albany Childrens CenterCornell SchoolMarin SchoolAlbany Middle SchoolOcean View SchoolMacGregor High School, and Albany High SchoolEnrollment Information here.

Are there any activites for or children?

The Univeresity Village Recreation Program, was founded in 1986 and established to serve the needs of the university's famuly housing residents but have sinced broadened to serve the entire community. The program participants represent a cross-section of cultural and international diversity that includes families from 67 countries. Programs, classes and open recreation are available to children, teens and adults. Online registration

Pregnancy

I finished my pregnancy and/or have already graduated – is there anything I can do about the discrimination I experienced as a pregnant student?

You may still have options. Contact your Title IX Coordinator, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or the National Women's Law Center to learn more. Even if it is too late for you, you can help us ensure that women who find themselves in your shoes do not run into the same barriers.

What if I work for the school as a graduate assistant, in addition to being a student? Do I still have the same rights? Do I qualify for maternity leave?

Your rights as an employee are different from your rights as a student. If you work for the school, you may be eligible for family or medical leave, or may qualify for maternity leave under the school's policy, but that may not include leave from your classes, beyond what is medically necessary.

I want to take a semester off. Can I keep my student status, scholarships, etc?

Not necessarily – it depends on the leave policy at your school. If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, you will need to consult your school's non-medical leave policy.

I have a scholarship – can my school take it back when they find out I am pregnant?

No, schools cannot terminate or reduce athletic, merit or need-based scholarships based on pregnancy. If you stay in school, you can keep your scholarship.

Classmates and even professors have made offensive comments to me about my pregnancy. Should I complain to the school about it?

Title IX requires schools to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment at school, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits the school from retaliating against you for making a complaint or raising a concern.

What about internships, career rotations, and other off-campus elements of my program - do I have a right to participate in those?

Yes. Your school must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. For example, if your program provides opportunities to “work in the field” your school cannot deny you participation based on your pregnancy. The school cannot require a doctor's note for continued participation, unless the school requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor's decision.

Does my school have to provide special academic services to me, like tutoring?

Title IX requires that schools provide pregnant students with any special services they provide to students with temporary disabilities. If students with temporary disabilities get at-home tutoring to help them keep up with work they miss when absent, the school must provide students who miss class because of pregnancy or childbirth with the same benefit.

Does my school have to let me make up the work I missed while I was absent?

Yes, your school must let you make up the work you missed while you were out due to pregnancy or any related conditions, including recovery from childbirth. For example, if you have a doctor's note that excuses you from class for several weeks because you were on “bed rest” before giving birth, your school has to provide you with the appropriate assignments and information to make up all of the work you would have been required to complete while you were out. For an extended absence, it is best if your school provides you with the work you miss regularly, so you do not fall far behind.

What if my school says that absence/make-up policies are up to each individual professor?

While that may be the school's practice, the school administration and professors are bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires that schools ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor's policy is not okay if it breaks the law.

My professor adjusts grades based on class attendance. Can she lower my grade bacause of the classes I miss?

You cannot be penalized for pregnancy or related conditions. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes you miss due to pregnancy, so that you can be reinstated to the status you held before you took leave.

I finished my pregnancy and/or have already graduated – is there anything I can do about the discrimination I experienced as a pregnant student?

You may still have options. Contact your Title IX Coordinator, the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or the National Women's Law Center to learn more. Even if it is too late for you, you can help us ensure that women who find themselves in your shoes do not run into the same barriers.

What if I work for the school as a graduate assistant, in addition to being a student? Do I still have the same rights? Do I qualify for maternity leave?

Your rights as an employee are different from your rights as a student. If you work for the school, you may be eligible for family or medical leave, or may qualify for maternity leave under the school's policy, but that may not include leave from your classes, beyond what is medically necessary.

I want to take a semester off. Can I keep my student status, scholarships, etc?

Not necessarily – it depends on the leave policy at your school. If you want to take off more time than your doctor says is medically necessary, you will need to consult your school's non-medical leave policy.

I have a scholarship – can my school take it back when they find out I am pregnant?

No, schools cannot terminate or reduce athletic, merit or need-based scholarships based on pregnancy. If you stay in school, you can keep your scholarship.

Classmates and even professors have made offensive comments to me about my pregnancy. Should I complain to the school about it?

Title IX requires schools to prevent and address sex-based harassment, including harassment based on pregnancy. If you experience this sort of treatment at school, you should seek help immediately. The law prohibits the school from retaliating against you for making a complaint or raising a concern.

What about internships, career rotations, and other off-campus elements of my program - do I have a right to participate in those?

Yes. Your school must allow you to continue participating in off-campus programs. For example, if your program provides opportunities to “work in the field” your school cannot deny you participation based on your pregnancy. The school cannot require a doctor's note for continued participation, unless the school requires one for all students who have a medical condition that requires treatment by a doctor. If they do ask for a note, they cannot second-guess your doctor's decision.

Does my school have to provide special academic services to me, like tutoring?

Title IX requires that schools provide pregnant students with any special services they provide to students with temporary disabilities. If students with temporary disabilities get at-home tutoring to help them keep up with work they miss when absent, the school must provide students who miss class because of pregnancy or childbirth with the same benefit.

Does my school have to let me make up the work I missed while I was absent?

Yes, your school must let you make up the work you missed while you were out due to pregnancy or any related conditions, including recovery from childbirth. For example, if you have a doctor's note that excuses you from class for several weeks because you were on “bed rest” before giving birth, your school has to provide you with the appropriate assignments and information to make up all of the work you would have been required to complete while you were out. For an extended absence, it is best if your school provides you with the work you miss regularly, so you do not fall far behind.

What if my school says that absence/make-up policies are up to each individual professor?

While that may be the school's practice, the school administration and professors are bound by federal civil rights law. Title IX requires that schools ensure that all faculty and staff comply with the law and do not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. An individual professor's policy is not okay if it breaks the law.

My professor adjusts grades based on class attendance. Can she lower my grade bacause of the classes I miss?

You cannot be penalized for pregnancy or related conditions. If a professor provides specific “points” or other advantages to students based on class attendance, you must be given the opportunity to earn back the credit from classes you miss due to pregnancy, so that you can be reinstated to the status you held before you took leave.

Does my school have to excuses my absences due to pregnancy, childbirth or abortion?

Your school must excuse your absences due to pregnancy or any related conditions for as long as your doctor says it is necessary for you to be absent. This is true even if there is no leave policy for students with other conditions. When you return to school, you must be reinstated to the status you held before your leave. The school can require you to submit a doctor's note from you only if that is required of students with other medical conditions.