International Student Financial Aid Presented by Berkeley International Office

Today’s Workshop I.Setting up a budget II.Berkeley International Office Financial Aid III.Finding an On Campus Job IV.Money saving tips

Living in the bay area is expensive! If you don’t control your finances, they will control you. Money is a source of stress for many students. Why budget?

1) Compare your income with your expenses 2) If expenses are greater than income, find ways to cut your spending. Not possible? Consider ways to increase your income. 3) If income is greater than expenses, consider paying yourself first and saving extra money Budget Basics

1) CASHCOURSE Tools to help you manage your money

Determine Your Income Look into high interest online savings accounts Review BIO website for financial aid options

Manage Your Expenses

1) Make one and be realistic! 2) Give yourself an allowance 3) Very helpful in future planning 4) The problem of debt 5) Family Budgets 6) Ask friends, classmates, BIO staff for shopping tips Budget Reminders…

2) Berkeley International Office website 3) Your fellow students! Tools to help you manage your money

Berkeley International Office Financial Aid Overview

Goal: To Help Students who have short-term, unexpected need Offered 2x’s per year Applications available April & October for following semester Applications available through Bspace Applications must be complete & on-time BIO Financial Aid Basics

1. Need Based Tuition & Fee Award & Merit Based Scholarships Do not need to be repaid Credited to CARS account At Berkeley 1 year & 60+ units 2 semester maximum award 2. Workstudy (UG) Must be hired for work-study position Must work for award Undergrad BIO Financial Aid

1. Need Based Tuition & Fee Award Do not need to be repaid Credited to CARS account At Berkeley 1 year in the same degree program 2. Stipends (Parent Grant - G Students Only) Do not need to be repaid Taxed at 14%, unless exempt through tax treaty Can be applied to tuition & fees 3. Workstudy Must be hired for work-study position Must work for award Grad BIO Financial Aid

Shih Loans  Made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Jeff & Constance Shih’s generous donation  Must be enrolled for one year at UCB before applying  Loan is interest free while student is in school  Only one loan per academic year per student  Max borrowed per year is equal to tuition & fees for one semester  Total loan amount cannot exceed one year’s of tuition and fees over academic program  Note: Co-Signer & Social Security # required!  Applications available at BIO

Medical Fund  Provides financial assistance to students with outstanding medical bills for unanticipated medical expenses  Fund pays provider directly  Bills must be attached to the application  Lifetime limit of $500  Applications available at BIO

Finding On Campus Jobs

Student Tips on Ways to Save Money Daily Items New/used textbooks Online Resources for purchases Academic Online Resources

Useful Student Tips Grocery Shopping  Trader Joe’s  Safeway  Costco  Lucky’s (El Cerrito)  Ranch 99 (El Cerrito)  Berkeley Bowl (produce)  Dollar Tree on Shattuck Ave. Coupons   Berkeleygoodlife.com  Apply for store discount cards Other Shopping (clothes, gifts)  Buy at holiday sale times (Day after Thanksgiving)  Use coupons Social commerce (group buying) such as Groupon, Living Social. Shopping: Crossroads or Good Will for well-used and clean second-hand goodies, ranging from clothes to Christmas balls.

Useful Student Tips Off Campus Housing  Co-ops  Rent (craigslist.org)  Cal Rentals Housing: hunt for the best deal, while making sure not to compromise your standard of living for the price (e.g. laundry room too far, noise level).

Cell Phones Look into “Family Plans” and UCB discounts. If you have some friends you trust, get a family plan instead of paying high prices for minutes you don't even use. Check different carriers and figure out who will be in charge of bills. If you're going abroad, contact your phone company to "suspend without billing." It may expire in 90 days, so remember to extend it if you plan on spending more than 90 days abroad (e.g. summer)

More Useful Student Tips Furniture (used) Ikea Garage sales Transportation Class pass Get a bike Use zipcar (rather than purchasing a car) 511.org (Bay Area public transportation information)

Discount new/used books Abebooks.com Bookdepository.com Amazon.com Half.com Comegetused.com Books: See the International Students Association at Berkeley (ISAB) website for tips: Click on “Textbooks”.

Future Workshops… Scholarship & Research Opportunity Search Wednesday, Sept pm, I House Sproul Rooms Finding an On-Campus Job Wednesday, Sept pm, I House Sproul Rooms