Your financial aid eligibility is based on a standard cost of attendance, or student budget.
We Understand Expenses Change
We may be able to increase your budget—and your financial aid eligibility—if you incur expenses during the academic year that are higher than your standard financial aid budget. This is called a Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustment. Please note that there is no COA Adjustment process for the summer term.
Expenses often considered for COA Adjustment include:
- The cost of your rent and utilities or the cost of your university residence hall.
- The cost of purchasing a computer; you can only request this once every three years.
- The cost of uninsured medical, dental, or optical expenses.
- The cost of transportation.
- The cost of childcare expenses.
- The cost of special books and supplies.
- The cost of relocating expenses (entering student living off-campus only).
The priority deadline to request a cost of attendance adjustment for the 2023-24 year is as follows:
- Friday, April 5, 2024 for students enrolled in the Fall and Spring terms so we can ensure the request is reviewed by the end of the academic year.
- Friday, November 17, 2023 for Fall only enrolled students.
The Process
The Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request Form includes information about which expenses can be claimed and the proper documentation required. Please ensure that you have properly documented your expenses, as any expenses that are not properly documented will not be considered. You can fill out the COAAR form in our Berkeley Financial Aid Forms portal.
Supporting Documentation Examples
Please Note: Any changes to your financial aid awards will be contingent on the type of funds available, eligibility policies, and regulations. Adjustments typically result in increases to loan or work-study eligibility.