Just a quick reminder:
The deadline for the FAFSA is this Wednesday, March 2nd. Berkeley’s School Code is 001312.
The deadline for the Supplemental Application is also March 2nd. This form is required for those interested in applying for need-based grants.
Note: People who intend to submit the Statement of Independence and are fairly sure they will qualify based on our criteria may submit the Statement after the deadline. The Statement of Independence is NOT due March 2nd.
Re-posted from the master calendar:
Calling all 3Ls and LLMs!
Worried about post-graduation loans? Want help planning your financial future? Like FREE hot dogs and beer? Then come to TAX DAY, a special financial planning event for Boalt 2011 Graduates.
In two simultaneous sessions, one each for students entering the public and private sectors, Berkeley’s best Tax Law and Policy professors, Robert Bartlett, Mark Gergen, Ann O’Leary, and Eric Talley, will explain concepts like “marginal rate,” “401(k),” and “how to file your tax returns properly so you can be Senate-confirmed someday.” Sigrid Allen and Dennis Tominaga, top-notch representatives from the Financial Aid Office will also be on hand to answer questions. And Dean Christopher Edley will add his remarks as well!
The Public Sector Session will be in Room 110, and will feature a discussion of public-interest and non-profit personal finances, and the ins and outs of LRAP and other programs (including CCRAA) designed to help public interest lawyers reduce their loan burdens.
The Private Sector Session will be in Room 100, and will explain what to expect for loan repayment on an associate’s salary, what your take-home pay will really be, and how to plan for a financially prudent future as a firm lawyer.
This is a unique opportunity to drink beer AND ask your tax and finance questions to the experts – don’t miss it!
Hot Dogs from Top Dog and beer (& non-alcoholic beverages) will be served in the Steinhart Courtyard from 4:30-5:30 pm.
The Tax Sessions will go from 5:30-6:30 pm in Rooms 100 and 110. For those interested in hearing the information in both sessions, they will each be recorded and the recordings will be made available on the Class Campaign website.
Brought to you by the Class of 2011 Campaign Committee and the Boalt Hall Alumni Center.
Starting with the 2011-2012 academic year we ask that students submit student and parent information on the FAFSA instead of the Need Access application. Because the FAFSA does not include a question on home value and debt we also ask that you submit the Supplemental Application for Need-Based Grants to provide us with this information. You must submit complete parental information on both the FAFSA and Supplemental Application unless you will be 30 years old by December 31, 2011 or meet Berkeley Law Financial Aid’s criteria for financial independence.
Note: Please be sure to include parental information on the FAFSA even if the FAFSA classifies you as an “independent” student. FAFSA’s dependency classification does not apply to Berkeley Law’s gift aid.
The Supplemental Application for Need-Based Grants also includes the Expected Summer Earnings information. As a continuing student, you are required to provide this information before an estimate of your grant eligibility can be calculated. Both the FAFSA and the Supplemental Application have a priority deadline of March 2, 2011.
If your applications are received by the deadline, your estimated grant eligibility will be included in your MyFinAid financial aid offer for 2011-2012 which will become available in late April or early May for continuing students.
To determine your actual Need-Based Grant eligibility, you will need to submit the Statement of Confirmed Summer Earnings by July 15, 2011. This form will be available in early summer.
Key Points:
See our Need-Based Grants page for details on the application process and eligibility policy.
In 1998, Foley & Lardner created this program to raise awareness of diversity-related issues in the legal profession. A strong and effective diversity program is one of the highest priorities of the firm, and the Diversity Scholarship Program exemplifies Foley’s tangible commitment to the advancement of diverse law students and to achieving a more inclusive legal community. Through the program, Foley awards a $5,000 scholarship to a diverse law student at select law schools: Berkeley, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Michigan, Northwestern, UCLA, and Wisconsin. Foley will award one scholarship in the amount of $5,000 to a first-year student at each law school noted above. To be eligible, an applicant must be either a) a member of one of the following government recognized racial/ethnic groups as defined by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance programs: American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, or Hispanic or b) identify as LGBT. The scholarship will be paid either to the recipient or to the law school (at the recipient’s request) during the recipient’s spring semester and is to be applied to tuition, books, fees, and other expenses incident to law school attendance.
Consideration is given to significant involvement in community activities; significant involvement in diversity-related student organizations; outstanding work or personal achievements; and undergraduate and law school academic achievement. Financial need is not a consideration. Foley’s Diversity Scholarship Program Committee will select each scholarship recipient.
An information sheet and application are available online at Foley.com/diversityscholarships
Completed applications will be accepted as of February 1, 2011 with an application deadline of February 28, 2011.
For more information, please visit foley.com or foleyrecruiting.com
The Jim Fahey Safe Homes Fund for Women endowment was established in 2007 to provide scholarships for graduate students at UC Berkeley with demonstrated financial need and a strong aptitude in relevant subjects as well as a deep commitment to combating domestic violence against women. The first award will be offered this spring in the amount of $1,000, and more awards will be offered early in 2012. A student may receive this award more than once during his or her academic career. The award is made possible by a bequest from the late attorney Jim Fahey, an alumnus of the Class of 1935 who was passionate about combating domestic violence.
The application is available online (PDF), and is due, with supporting materials, March 1, 2011, in the Graduate Services: Fellowships Office at 318 Sproul Hall; Berkeley, CA 94720-5900. Please do not submit your application to the Berkeley Law Financial Aid Office.
This is a reminder that the deadline for the CA Bar Foundation’s Public Interest Scholarship for current 1Ls and 2Ls is approaching.
The Foundation is investing in the next generation of public interest lawyers and it’s flagship Public Interest Scholarship has benefited nearly 600 outstanding law students over the past 20 years and awarded over $3.2 million through its scholarship programs. The Scholarship helps pay the cost of obtaining a law school education, including tuition, fees, books, and related education expenses. Awards of up to $7,500 recognize law students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, a sustained and extensive commitment to public service, often while overcoming serious personal hardships and obstacles, an intent to pursue a career in public interest law, and financial need. The application and more information are available for you to download from the California Bar Foundation’s web site www.calbarfoundation.org
Because each school can nominate five applicants for the Public Interest Scholarship, applications will need to be submitted to the Law School’s Financial Aid Office no later than 5:00 PM, Monday, February 28, 2011.
Please e-mail your application and law school transcripts in PDF format to financial-aid@law.berkeley.edu.
The law school will certify nominees’ Statement of Ethical Standing, and financial need and submit the certification with the nominees’ packet.
For additional information, please contact Jasmine Guillory, Program Director, at 415-856-0780 ext. 302 or by email to jguillory@calbarfoundation.org
Admitted students may be wondering how first year scholarships work. The application and review process is explained on our Entering Student Scholarships page. Below is a preview of what you will find:
How do I apply?
Admitted first year students are automatically considered for scholarships, but are encouraged to submit the Scholarship Interest Form and/or the Matching Scholarship Form. (Please note: these two links require a CalNet ID and passphrase and therefore are only accessible to admitted students.)
When are awards made?
The scholarship review process runs from January to June with most of the decisions announced in April. If you are offered a scholarship, the Scholarship Committee notifies you directly via email. The scholarship will not be reflected on your financial aid offer until you accept the award.
What is the Matching Scholarship?
The Matching Scholarship is a competitive merit based award which seeks to make Berkeley Law an affordable alternative. Admits offered a scholarship at one of our listed competitor schools may apply.
The Rhode Island Bar Foundation Thomas F. Black, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is a one year, non-renewable award for full-time students who are Rhode Island residents entering their first year of law school in September 2011. This year the Foundation intends to make two awards of $15,000 each.
Scholarship awards shall be exclusively for tuition and related expenses for persons who enroll as full-time students in programs leading to the award of the L.L.B. or J.D. degree offered by law schools located in one of the United States or District of Columbia and accredited by the American Bar Association. Each scholarship will be made on the basis of demonstrated financial need, superior academic performance, community and public service, and demonstrated contacts with and commitment to the State of Rhode Island.
Applications available at www.ribar.com and the deadline for receipt is March 18, 2011.
For more information, please contact the Rhode Island Bar Foundation office at (401) 421-6541 or e-mail: gcaldwell@ribar.com
The Financial Aid Office cannot advise on income tax issues but we are providing the following links to get you started in your research.
Publication 970 (Tax Benefits for Education):
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
If you received a 1098-T document in the mail:
Visit the Tax Credit Reporting Service (TCRS) website at http://www.1098-t.com/ for information about tax credits or your 1098-T. For specific questions about your 1098-T, contact TCRS toll free at (877) 467-3821 (Monday-Friday excluding holidays, from 1pm to 11pm PST).
The Graduate Division administers a need-based grant for registered graduate student parents (single, married, or registered domestic partners) with dependent children living with them. This grant may be applied toward housing, dependent health insurance, child care, and/or fee and tuition costs. Awards of approximately $8000 per academic year will be made to eligible students, funding permitting.
The application deadline for continuing students is generally toward the end of March. New students must submit an application by the end of May to be considered for the Parent Grant. The application for the 2011-2012 academic year is not yet available. Check the Graduate Division web site for updated 2011-2012 application deadlines and the new application form:
http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/financial/student_family.shtml
