Financial Assistance

UC Berkeley Extension students may consider private education loans. Our students are not eligible for federal financial aid programs related to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), also known as Title IV funds. 

Private alternative student loans differ from federal student loans. Private educational loan eligibility and interest rates may be based on creditworthiness. Lenders may also offer variable-rate loans with interest rates that change over time.

The steps to apply for a private educational loan with UC Berkeley Extension can be found below:

1. Select your lender and apply for your loan. Here is a list of UC preferred alternative private lenders.
2. Upon approval, complete a Loan Certification Request.

Eligible Expenses

UC Berkeley Extension only certifies loans for the exact cost amount of your course(s). We do not certify loans for materials, cost of living, etc. 

Once approved through the application and certification process, the student loan funds will be disbursed to UC Berkeley Extension toward your course fees. Please contact extension-finaid@berkeley.edu with any questions.

UC Berkeley Extension is not approved to complete loan deferments for federally sponsored financial assistance (Title IV).

Below are the semester-unit definitions for the purposes of financial aid loan-deferment forms (non-Title IV). Non-credit courses are not applicable to these categories. Please submit any questions or forms to extension@berkeley.edu.

At this time, UC Berkeley Extension is not eligible to offer educational benefits with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

For questions concerning all other educational benefits or awards, please contact extension@berkeley.edu.

You can use your Segal Education Award to enroll in courses and directly pay UC Berkeley Extension for your course tuition and fees.

To Enroll

Email extension-ar@berkeley.edu to request an enrollment form. Log on to the AmeriCorps website and request to transfer the course fee to UC Berkeley Extension. Capture the screenshot of your AmeriCorps voucher and send the voucher and completed enrollment form to extension-ar@berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley Extension offers a limited number of general and program-specific scholarships. Read more about our scholarships.