Hey I just wanted to ask you guys if you know anything about how generous UCB is with their financial aid... I am thinking about accepting the offer, but without financial aid I won't be able to pay for it, and I don't want to loose the 500 $ deposit... its a lot of cash for me. :( Don't know what to do.

Hi MAP2009,
I am in a similar position. I am expecting to hear something from Berkeley regarding financial aid, otherwise how can we decide before March 27th? Did you call them up to ask about the timing for this?

nope... and I don't want to push my luck... :-/ but I think I might email them my situation and just ask what I should do.. I don't know...I am really stumped...

Ok, sounds good! Please let me know the answer! Thanks!

I am in same boat, but did not get many promising news from Berkeley, basically, told that there is no tuition waivers or grants and no financial aid available for me from UCB. Most sources of funding in my country/region that they suggested are having difficulties extending grants this year, given the financial markets, their own endowments is down considerably.

I am desperately looking for other options, incluiding, hypothecating my apartment.

This is very difficult without grants/aid, the cost is going to be over $75,000 for Boalt. ($43,000, add between $18,000 to $20,000 just in rent, plus other living expenses, transporation, books, etc). I am still about $10k short of that amount, let us see what happens.

MAP and NAIL, I am assuming you are also depending on financial aid on your decisions, which countries are you from? have you looked at local funding options?

I did and I applied to some foundations for scholarships but they are just really competetive here, so... I guess I won't be able to go to Berkeley. :,( Do you kno if they allow to defer your admission to next year?

@MAP

I don't know about their deferral policy, i understand that most schools that are competitive do not like to deferr (unless you have a really really good reason, and i don't think they consider finances a good reason) and rather will suggest that you re-apply the next year (rather than deffer you). I would suggest you give them a call regarding their deferral policy.

I decided I am going to drop Berkeley. One less...I guess good news for the waitlisted

Bless you guys
It is such a pity ......

I decided I am going to drop Berkeley. One less...I guess good news for the waitlisted

Hi guys, looks like Berkeley is finally making some financial aid decisions - unfortunately, not very positive ones. I just recieved an email (noteworthy: Exactly one day after the deadline to accept their offer and to pay the deposit). The email simply repeated the financial info on their website (funds limited, look elsewhere) and declined any financial aid. Hope others will be luckier.

Has anybody received a letter about financial aid before the deadline for accepting the offer?

Nope, I just wrote them an email to ask about the aid situation. I hope that there is some feedback from the school tomorrow.

I also received an email yesterday. No financial aid available. I am from Italy, if that matters.

I think its ridiculous that they notify about financial aid after the admission accepting deadline. This really sucks.

I'm in the same boat. I wrote an email to them yesterday and they said the financial aid decisions will be available in the near future. I am wondering whether I should pay the 500 USD deposit by March 27...If I were not granted the financial aid, I would go to UVA, I suppose.

very confused now..

Attina, I would strongly advise you to go to UVA, then. Berkeley is a public school, mostly state-funded, and I guess you have heard how sever the crisis is in California. Schwartznegger has even announced that state employees may not receive their salary some months this year.
Take it as it is, without offense: you will not get fin.aid from Berkeley. Or if you are one of the lucky ones (presumablyu from a poor and developing country), you may get up to 2 or 3 k dollars no more. Please correct me if I am wrong, after you receive the email.

Attina, I would strongly advise you to go to UVA, then. Berkeley is a public school, mostly state-funded, and I guess you have heard how sever the crisis is in California. Schwartznegger has even announced that state employees may not receive their salary some months this year.
Take it as it is, without offense: you will not get fin.aid from Berkeley. Or if you are one of the lucky ones (presumablyu from a poor and developing country), you may get up to 2 or 3 k dollars no more. Please correct me if I am wrong, after you receive the email.

I will give up my berkeley seat too. Just too expensive. I will go to the UofMinnesota where I got a very generous tuition waiver.

I am sad anyways... always wanted to study at one of the top Universities in the US.. oh well... dreams keep on being dreams

You can always come back to do another one ;)

I agree with you. Berkeley is an amazing school but 43.000 is a s*** load of money for a course...!!!

They will have to do something about it...!!!