UC Berkeley Financial Aid Office Information

There is no separate financial aid for disabled students. Student financial aid is offered to eligible students, disabled or not, who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the California March 2 deadline the Spring prior to the academic year in which the student wishes to receive aid. The FAFSA can either be filed via paper application (available at 211 Sproul Hall) or on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. By filing a FAFSA, students are considered for all available sources of financial aid, which may include loans, grant funding such as Cal Grant, UC grant, or federal grant (Pell or SEOG) and work-study.

Work-study awards allow students to work at a work-study job a determined number of hours and receive a monthly salary. In addition to their own student loans, which may be subsidized or unsubsidized, dependent students may be offered parent (PLUS) loan to help them meet their budgets. For subsidized loans (Direct Loans or Perkins), repayment and interest are deferred until after graduation. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while students are in school, though payments can be deferred until graduation.

If you have questions about the FAFSA or financial aid awarding procedures, or other matters not related to your disability please contact the Financial Aid Office.

For more information contact:
Financial Aid Office
211 Sproul Hall
(510) 642-6442
Website: students.berkeley.edu/fao/

Disability Accommodations with Financial Aid

If you anticipate the following circumstances, please contact DSP:

• Taking a reduced course load (most undergraduates: less than 13 units, graduates: less than 10 units).
• Inability to work part-time due to your disability (during summer and breaks, during the school year, or both).
• Medical expenses, treatments, disability-related equipment, etc. that you pay for, and which are not covered by medical insurance.

The first two situations listed above can impact student resources, and the third can result in an inadequate financial aid budget. At your request, DSP can work with the Office of Financial Aid to protect or increase your awards. If you receive one or more other disability benefits (see Disability Benefits below), consult with DSP about ways to prevent the various aid programs from having an adverse effect on each other.

Each semester the undergraduate financial aid DSP liaison offers drop-in hours (these are posted in the fall and spring DSP newsletters) at the Financial Aid Office to assist undergraduate DSP students and is also available by appointment via referral from their DSP specialist.

Disability-related grants are sometimes offered for all UC campuses, for example; auxiliary services for students studying abroad. Inquire with the financial aid office for further information.

Disability Benefits

In addition to student financial aid, students with disabilities may be eligible for the following government financial benefits.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)—SSI is handled through the Social Security Administration. You must be unemployable (unable to earn more than $500 per month due to your disability) and have personal resources below $2,000. Persons who are age 18 and over are considered independently from their parents' income and resources, even if the person is living in their parents? home. The maximum amount of monthly assistance changes periodically, but California SSI is higher than most states; check with local Social Security Office for the current amount. Students from other states should bear in mind that housing costs are generally higher in California as well.

For more information contact:
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
2045 Allston Way Berkeley, CA
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Email: www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)—SSDI is also administered through the Social Security Administration. Requires unemployability (inability to earn more than $500 per month due to disability), but does not have a personal resource limitation. However, SSDI eligibility is based on work records. You must have worked a certain number of years. You can also be eligible if you were disabled before the age of 22 and your parent(s) is/are now disabled, retired, or deceased. The parent must have worked the required period.

For more information contact:
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
Website: www.ssa.gov/disability

Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)—Can assist students who would be eligible for SSI in every way except for having excess resources (such as an insurance settlement over the $2,000 limit), or having SSDI or another benefit that would ordinarily be in excess of the SSI maximum. If a student has other income in addition to SSI, a PASS can be a way to receive extra money from Social Security for school expenses. Some students are eligible for a combination of SSI and SSDI, or they receive SSI and some other disability benefit. With a PASS, the full SSI is protected for living expenses, while the other income/resource is used for students fees, books, equipment, etc.

For more information contact:
Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)
Phone: (800) 772-1213 Web: www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/pass.html

Medi-Cal—This State medical insurance (referred to as Medicaid in other states) covers doctor visits, hospitalization after other benefits are used, medication, and medical supplies. If you receive SSI, you automatically receive Medi-Cal.

For more information contact:
Medi-Cal
Phone: (800) 541-5555
www.medi-cal.ca.gov/

IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services)—The State of California offers IHSS, which is administered through the various counties' Departments of Social Services. In Alameda County, which includes Berkeley, funding is provided that allows a person to hire personal care attendants and/or household chore helpers to assist with activities that a person cannot perform due to their disability.

If you are eligible for SSI or have low income/resources, you are eligible for IHSS if your physician verifies your need for it. In California, apply at your local county Social Services office, or in the Alameda County area, call for application information.

For more information contact:
IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services)
Phone: (510) 567-8080
www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/In-HomeSup_173.htm

Department of Rehabilitation—These are State departments, available in every state, which offer sponsorship for people with disabilities who are presently unable to support themselves at any job due to their disability, but show promise of self-support with additional education and/or training. Typical sponsorship includes payment of student fees/tuition, books, supplies, equipment, and certain expenses. The Department of Rehabilitation does not offer funds for living expenses.

For more information contact:
Department of Rehabilitation
Berkeley Office:
1936 University Avenue, Suite 130
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 883-6000

Oakland Office:
1515 Clay Street, Suite 119
Oakland, CA
Phone: (510) 622-2764
TTY: (510) 622-2796
Website: www.rehab.cahwnet.gov

For step-by-step instructions on how to apply to the above benefits programs, please go to: www.disabilitybenefits101.org

For further information on benefits and career related resources, please go to: career.berkeley.edu/Disabilities/DisabInfo.stm