Financial Aid & Scholarship

Student Parent Grant 

Student Parents with children under 18 years of age at UC Berkeley are eligible for a need-based Student Parent Grant. Prospective and current student parents need to complete a FAFSA annually to be eligible for this award as well as federal, state, and university funding. Undergraduates click here; Graduate students, click here for more information.  

Resources

Expanding your Financial Aid Budget

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 financial aid and have family-related expenses can submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment to be considered for an increased financial aid package to help cover child care, housing, and other family maintenance expenses (like food, clothing, transportation). If you have allowable one-time expenses that are not included in the initial standard budget, for example moving expenses to relocate to Cal or a computer purchase, save those receipts for a standard budget appeal in the Fall. If you have "family-related" expenses (for example for children's food, clothing) that are not included in a standard student budget and you also meet specific low-income requirements, you will be able to include family-related expenses in your Cost of Attendance Adjustment. Loans will be offered after you have received the maximum amount of gift aid.

Scholarships

The Osher Foundation Reentry Scholarship Program

Funds 10-15 Osher Reentry Scholars with awards of $2,000-$5,000 for the academic year. Annual deadline in fall term.

The Zachary Michael Cruz Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of the scholarship is to preserve Zachary's memory, to reward excellence in public education, and to support University's commitment to access, equity, and inclusion at Berkeley. Frank and Jodie Cruz also conceive of the scholarship as a way to give back to the communities of Ventura County and the Bay Area, where they raised their son. Read more about Zachary

Click here To apply for this year's award

Soroptimist

An international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. The Soroptimist’s Women’s Opportunity Awards Program assists women who are the primary source of financial support for their families and seeking to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. The program begins at the local Soroptimist club-level, and the Student Parent Center works closely with the El Cerrito Chapter to recruit Berkeley student parents to apply.

Scholarships for Women

There are many scholarships and grants available for pregnant mothers and mothers with children.

The Program for Counting Education

The Program for Continuing Education (PCE) grant supports women who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and their families.

The University Section Club

This is an essential source of support for the Student Parent Center as well as one-time emergency grants and scholarships. Student Parent Center staff can determine if you meet the criteria for assistance and refer you for their consideration.

The Judith Lee Stronach Re-entry Prizes in Poetry and Prose

Established by Judith Lee Stronach in 1993 for re-entry students (undergraduate students who have a gap of five years or more between high school and college and graduate students who have a gap of five years or more between undergraduate and graduate studies). The prizes consist of two awards in the amount of $2,000 each for poetry (five poems) and prose (unpublished, any length). These prizes are co-administered by the English Department and CE3.