Registration

In order to participate in Bridge, scholars must agree to the following terms and conditions, applicable for the duration of the six-week program:

1. Unless prior approval is granted, scholars must be prepared to participate in all program activities from Monday, July 1, 2024 through Friday, August 9, 2024.

2. Bridge is a full-time program and scholars are required to attend all lectures, discussions, workshops, tutoring, seminars, and activities as scheduled for them. Moreover, scholars are not allowed to hold a job or internship during Bridge.

3. The Bridge Course Placement Committee will identify and place scholars in two courses that will best position them for success in the Fall. Scholars will be able to provide input prior to placement and request an appeal after if they do not agree with their placement.

4. The Bridge program staff will monitor scholars' performance and academic activities to assist them in meeting the requirements of the program.

5. Scholars on financial aid must be enrolled in 6-9 units and may not take a reduced course load during Bridge. Alternatively, they are not allowed to take additional summer courses, including those offered through Freshman Edge and Summer Sessions.

6. Scholars may not participate concurrently in other summer programs, such as Freshman Edge, PREP, or SEED.

7. Scholars must adhere to the University’s Code of Conduct.  These rules of conduct are intended to foster behaviors that are consistent with a civil and educational setting.

Cancellation

Scholars must submit a formal request to cancel in order to withdraw their enrollment. 

The following fees apply:
• If the request is submitted on or before June 14th, no cancellation fee will be assessed.
• If the request is submitted between June 15-30th, a $200 cancellation fee will be assessed, regardless of reason.
• If the request is submitted after June 30th, a $600 cancellation will be assessed, fee regardless of reason.

Withdrawal after Arrival

No refunds will be given for withdrawal, dismissal, or leave of absence after the first day of Bridge. Scholars will be assessed a $600 cancellation fee regardless of reason, and any textbook, summer session, and Class Pass fees incurred. Any financial aid received may be canceled, and scholars may be personally responsible for paymentof fees.

Applying for Financial Aid

Financial aid for summer is available for eligible scholars who complete a FAFSA or Dream Act applications for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Scholars are urged to complete financial aid applications as early as possible to allow adequate time for all associated processes to be completed for Summer Bridge aid packaging. 

Types of Financial Aid

Types of summer aid may include Federal Pell Grants, Summer Fee Grants, Summer Bridge Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Berkeley Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or discretionary grants. Types and amounts of aid are based on each scholar's FAFSA or Dream Act application, enrollment, and financial need.

Please note that some Scholarships and work-study funds are not available during Bridge.

Summer Aid Offers

Summer Aid offers can be viewed after (1) scholars have successfully completed all registration and course enrollment steps and (2) all required Tasks have been submitted and processed. All offers are based on enrolled units and eligibility for aid.

To view an offer:

• Log into CalCentral
• Select "My Finances” from the menu at the top
• In the middle of the page, in the Financial Aid and Scholarships section, select the 2023-2024 Academic Year and click on the blue “View Awards” link
• If you have no outstanding tasks for the 2023-2024 academic year, your offer will be viewable at the right, under the “Awards” heading
• If you do not see any awards, check to see if you have outstanding tasks that need to be completed, which you will see to the left of the page, under “Communications”

Scholars with incomplete files will not receive a final financial aid package until their file is complete and have finalized their enrollment.

Required Documents

If financial aid needs additional documents from you, they will place “Tasks” in the My Finances section of CalCentral. Below is a list of the most commonly requested documents:

• Dependent Verification Form
• Independent Verification Form
• Certification of Independence
• U.S. Citizenship Confirmation
• Eligible Non-Citizen Statement
• FAFSA Household Change
• FAFSA Income or Asset Change
• Selective Service Verification 

Please note that a summer financial aid package will not be generated until all required documents have been received and reviewed by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. Scholars may also see additional tasks on CalCentral for the upcoming aid year (i.e. 2024-2025). While these do not prevent an aid offer for summer from being prepared, scholars should make note of these items for future action.

Accepting Loans

Scholars may accept loans once they see an official financial aid award package. Refer to Financial Aid dates and deadlines for more information. In CalCentral, select “My Finances” from the menu at the top. In the middle of the page, in the Financial Aid and Scholarships section, select Aid Year 2023-2024, then click on the blue “View Awards” link. Your awards for summer will be listed to the right of the page.  From there, you can accept, decline, or reduce the loans that were offered to you. In order for the loans to disburse, scholars must also complete other loan acceptance requirements such as a promissory note and entrance loan counseling. More information about loans, and what is required, can be found on the Financial Aid website.  

Contact Cal Student Central to change or cancel the amount of a previously accepted loan.

Please visit the Financial Aid website to review frequently asked questions about summer financial aid, and to learn more about financial aid at Berkeley. 

Outside Scholarships

Scholars can use outside scholarships to help for the cost of Bridge. If a scholar already has a financial aid package and receives an outside scholarship/award, the financial aid offer will be adjusted for that award. Generally, need-based loans are reduced first to "make room" for the scholarship.

Scholars tend to have greater need during the academic year; therefore, it is important that scholars review their 2023-24 (summer) and 2024-25 (academic year) financial aid packages carefully to determine how best to maximize the benefits of their outside scholarships.

After course enrollment, Bridge fees are assessed through CalStudentCentral. In early July, any financial aid awarded and accepted is automatically applied to each scholar's billing account. Any outstanding amount is due by the start of the program through one of the accepted electronic payment methods. If full payment is not received by the due date students will be assessed a $25 late fee per month.