<p>I am going to Cal next year as an out of state. I am not very familiar with all admissions/scholarship/fin aid stuff at Berkeley. So:</p>
<p>Can someone tell me how prestigious the Cal Bears Scholarship is?</p>
<p>I don't don't think its that prestigious. Its certainly not regents or anything. Who cares? Money's money.</p>
<p>I don't know if it's even a "scholarship" at all, per se. I got $7500 worth on my financial aid, but it's because I have significant need. I think that's just what Berkeley calls their general scholarship/grant award. I got admitted to other schools, and some call it "University Grant," etc etc. You might want to ask somebody else, but I'm pretty sure that's all it is.</p>
<p>I think it's pretty prestigious-- I mean, I didn't get one or anything-- and my friend who also got that one said its "merit based," not "financial aid based"--it could also be that it's there way of giving money to ppl wouldn't necessarily qualify for a lot of fin. aid money-- but either way, it means Cal wants u there, so congrats.</p>
<p>It's both merit and financial aid based. That's why some people get more money than others with the same scholarship.</p>
<p>"but either way, it means Cal wants u there, so congrats."</p>
<p>That's how I took it. I think it is pretty cool to get money regardless of the prestige associated with it. Funny thing is that I got into a lot of schools, but Cal was my first choice... and they gave me the most financial help, too! Sometimes things are meant to be:) </p>
<p>-A</p>
<p>i got 7800$ worth but each of my parents make 45k/yr so I figure if it does depend on how the university ranks financial necessity, thats not middle class at all. And Chen, I feel exactly the way you do, there giving me more money than the lesser schools that accepted me.</p>
<p>Wow, Waglo, they have got to be pretty merit based if you got that money and your parents make 90k/yr combined because that isn't in the catagory of needy at all. I made 40k last year myself, not that I have anything to show for it except a large EFC:(, but at least I got some scholarship money... i'm in the process of attempting to obtain a sig loan while I still have a job.</p>
<p>-A</p>
<p>Honestly I dont even know how i got it, I was ready to take out loans because I didnt expect jack in help. How did one have to request to be considered for the scholarship? I dont even remember sending in a special essay or anything.</p>
<p>Cal Bears Scholarship - $7565</p>
<p>I believe it's all automatic though I have an EFC of 0.</p>
<p>There's no special app for this scholarship. I received about $6000 and my EFC was around 4,000.</p>
<p>DarkPyrO, it may also have other factors coming into play. My efc was over 12k and I got more scholarship money than you did. It has to be based on more than just one thing, merit, need, major, etc. It says on the website it is based on merit and need, right.?</p>
<p>Waglo, me, too. But, i'm finding it a complicated mess to get loans anyhow, especially since unlike you, I don't have 90k parents to cosign (my mom made little to no $$ last year.) Hopefully this loan goes through before I quit my job to move out there. They approve you then they wait on the university to accept/request the funds... I hope that happens sooner than later:/</p>
<p>-A</p>
<p>lol chen, although it sounds like there in good financial condition, my parents are struggling with a huge debt. There in the position where they make too much to get any assistance yet have very little disposable income.</p>
<p>Sounds like most people, waglo. I feel their pain:( </p>
<p>-A</p>