Students are often concerned about finances. Having a disability can produce even more financial burdens: part-time employment isn't always an option, and often there are a number of extra disability-related expenses. Below are some sources of assistance that may be helpful to students with disabilities.

The Jacob Tomb Scholarship is a restricted scholarship available to currently enrolled undergraduate students with disabilities who have a 3.3 GPA or above. Priority is given to students from Plumas or Yuba Counties with financial need and funding is limited to a few students. There is no application process; selections are made by the Scholarships Office of Financial Aid based on their records of high scholarship and unmet financial need. Be sure you complete the scholarship section of the FAFSA (see Student Financial Aid below) or submit a Scholarship Data Sheet to the Undergraduate Scholarships Office, 210 Sproul, 510-642-6363, by March 2nd prior to the award year.

The Lois I. Hogan Grant of $1000 is given in the Spring to a student with a disability who has current employment or has been offered a semester or summer job/internship, paid or nonpaid, and is in need of extra disability-related financial assistance. For example, the award could cover the costs of secretarial assistance (if not already covered by an employer) or transportation costs while on an internship. Students are eligible if they have a firm internship or student job offer by the application deadline. For more information and timelines, contact Sarah Dunham, Students with Disabilities Program at the Career Center, 642-5373, dunham@uclink4.

The DSP student Grant is available for Low-income, currently enrolled students with disabilities who have a need for disability-related equipment or assistive technology that is not available on campus or through another source, such as the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Application is on going and awards are made throughout the year, as funds are available. If you are currently enrolled, see the Student Grant Guidelines. You may apply on-line through your own DSP portal.

Section Club Student Grants: These grants are funded by a private faculty wives organization. They are intended to assist disabled students who have an unforeseen financial emergency. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPS and preference is given to graduating seniors and graduate students about to complete their degree. Awards may vary, up to a maximum of $500. Students must submit a letter to their DSP specialist articulating the reason for their request, along with a copy of their transcript.

Other Resources: Student Activities and Services, and specific programs such as Academic Student Development and the Women's Center are also good resources for information on grants. Graduate students can research scholarship possibilities in books and binders located at the Graduate Division on the third floor of Sproul Hall. Also be sure to check Internet Resources at the bottom of this page.

There is no separate Financial Aid for disabled students. Student Financial Aid is offered to students, disabled or not, who may qualify by showing that their income, resources, and in some cases, parents' income and resources, are not adequate to meet the cost of the student's education.

If you are applying for undergraduate admission, obtain an undergraduate Financial Aid packet from the Office of Financial Aid (250 Sproul Hall, on the Berkeley campus, phone number 510-642-6442). By filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you will be considered for all available sources of Student Financial Aid, including scholarships. Typically, financial aid grants include the Pell Grant, Cal Grant, campus Grant-in-Aid funds, and SEOG Grants. Loans awarded include federally subsidized loans in which repayment and interest are deferred until after graduation. In addition, Work Study awards are available which allow you to work a determined number of hours and receive a salary. It is important that your FAFSA form is postmarked by the stated deadline (usually the beginning of March in the Spring prior to the academic year you wish to receive aid).

The FAFSA can also be completed on the web - www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FAFSA tips can be accessed through - www.uga.berkeley.edu/fao/guide.htm.

For graduate and professional schools applicants, the largest portion of the financial aid package consists of loans. You need to fill out the FAFSA in the graduate and professional schools packet available at the Office of Financial Aid (201 Sproul Hall, on the Berkeley campus, phone number 510-642-0485). Observe the same deadline as stated above. You are encouraged to contact your department for fellowship information. If you are a parent or have parents with low incomes, you could qualify for a grant that would cover your registration fees. If you are a potential Boalt Law student, contact Boalt regarding an application for the $500 law grant (510-642-1563). See also Internet Resources at the end of this handout.

Disability accommodations with financial aid

If you anticipate the following circumstances, please contact DSP:

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

The situations listed above can result in inadequate Financial Aid awards, without DSP's help. At your request, DSP can work with the Office of Financial Aid to protect or enhance your award.

If you receive one or more other disability benefits (see Disability Benefits / Financial Resources below), consult with DSP about ways to prevent the various aid programs from having an adverse effect on each other.

Discretionary grants can sometimes be awarded when funding is available, through the Office of Financial Aid for well-documented, emergency medical or disability-related treatments. See your DSP Specialist for more information.

If you have questions about the FAFSA form, application, and award procedures, or other matters not related to your disability, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at the locations listed above. In addition to the phone numbers above, their web address is bearfacts.berkeley.edu. Many questions can be answered by information on this website.

Each semester DSP sponsors a workshop on Financial Aid presented by a specialist from the Office of Financial Aid. Most FAFSA questions can be answered by reading the FAFSA packet carefully, calling 1-800-433-3243, or going to the web page at uga.berkeley.edu/fao/guide.htm.

In addition to Student Financial Aid, students with disabilities may be eligible for the following government financial benefits.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) - monthly 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 $2000. 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 DSP or your 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.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) - monthly income

SSDI is also administered through the Social Security Administration and 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.

Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)

This SSI program makes it possible to finance school expenses. Some students are eligible for a combination of SSI and SSDI, or they receive SSI and some other disability benefit. 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. It can also 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. With a PASS, the full SSI is protected for living expenses, while the other income/resourse is used for student fees, books, equipment, etc. You can obtain application forms through your local Social Security Office.

Medi-Cal

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

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 510-567-8080 for application information.

Department of Rehabilitation

These Departments (DR) exist in all states. The mission of DR is to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment and maximizing their ability to live independently in their communities. Services provided are based on eligibility criteria established by federal law and are individualized for each eligible individual. Among the potential services provided is payment of training fees / expenses (tuition, fees, books, supplies and assistive technology). Apply at your local state's Department of Rehabilitation office. For more complete information on DR, including location of offices and other useful links, check out the California Department of Rehabilitation website: www.rehab.cahwnet.gov. Applications forms are available on the website.

Regional Centers

California has 21 Regional Centers for persons with developmental disabilities who reside in the state. Disabilities must have been diagnosed before the age of 18 and include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. The condition must be substantially disabling. There is no citizenship or financial income requirement. Services include advocacy, childcare, durable medical equipment and adaptive equipment that cannot be purchased under another program, and independent living skills training. Alameda and Contra Costa are served by the Regional Center of the East Bay and residents of those counties may apply by calling 510-383-1200 and ask for Intake. A waiting list may exist.

California Children's Services

CCS serves people with severe disabilities and serious medical conditions who are 20 years of age or younger. Services can include durable medical equipment, physical therapy, and medical case management. Applicants are assessed for financial eligibility, and existing available resources and health insurance must be used to its full extent. Applications must be made in the county in which you reside. For intake information in Alameda County or information about other county contacts, call 510-628-7920, 1000 Broadway, Suite #500, Oakland, CA, 94607.

If you have further questions, contact DSP at 510-642-0518.

Financial Aid Info Page - www.finaid.com

American Council on Education - www.acenet.edu/programs/HEATH/home.cfm

CB Graduate Division Fellowship Office - violet.berkeley.edu/~gradweb/finance

Graduate Fellowships - www.csac.ca.gov/sfa/sfa0005.html#sfa-5k

CollegeNET - www.finaid.org/finaid/mach25.html & www.CollegeNet.com/finance.html

fastWeb Financial Aid Search - www.studentservices.com/amex & www.fastweb.com

UC Berkeley Scholarships - ls.berkeley.edu/ugis/scholarships & scholarships.berkeley.edu

Office of Postsecondary Education, US Department of Education - Student Financial Assistance - www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA

American Association of University Women - www.aauw.org/3000/fdnfelgra.html

Minority Scholarships and Fellowships - web.fie.com

College Board - www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/bin/fundfind01.pl

Scholarship Resource Network's Srn Express - www.rams.com/srn/index.htm

Southwest Student Services Corp. - www.sssc.com/sandg.htm

Mapping Your Future - mapping-your-futre.org

Scholarship Connection:

Send email message to scholarships@listlink.berkeley.edu
Leave subject line blank and put "subscribe scholarships" in the text (without the quotes)

• "College Scholarships and Financial Aid", John Schwartz
• "The Financial Aid Book", Student Financial Services
• "Complete College Financing Guide", Marguerite Dennis
• "The Scholarship Book", Daniel J. Cassidy
• "The Higher Education Money Book for Minorities and Women", Wm. Young