<p>I've read a few threads, but I still don't understand the plan.</p>
<p>For example:
Total UC Berkeley Costs= $31,566.00
My Gift Aid= $16,112.00
My Net Cost=$15,454.00</p>
<p>Does this mean the plan is already included with the gift aid given or does it mean that it'll cover all of my remaining net cost?</p>
<p>Blue and Gold only applies to system wide fees. It does not cover any living expenses, books, campus fees, or room an board. From what I understand, it only makes a difference if you do not qualify for a Cal grant. Otherwise, Cal Grant fulfills the Blue and Gold promise.</p>
<p>zambonibecky is correct.</p>
<p>Blue&Gold is not a grant aid program itself unless there is a shortfall in your aid covering systemwide fees. These are slated to be $11,124 for 2011-2012. Blue&Gold considers any grant aid or scholarship aid as capable of meeting its promise that systemwide fees will be met.</p>
<p>The people Blue&Gold noticeably helps are:
Those who do not qualify for Cal Grant.
Those who are freshman and have Cal Grant B.
Those with either Cal Grant, but there is a mid-year increase in systemwide fees.</p>
<p>Last year, the third option happened to me. I ended up with around a few hundred UC Fee Grant to cover the increase as Cal Grant cannot be increased mid-year.</p>
<p>The additional $2k-3k that is added to the systemwide fees is campus fees. This combination is the actual price most of us see listed on the basic COA of each UC rather than a break down of the systemwide fees and the campus fees. Blue&Gold does not promise to meet this amount. Cal Grant does not meet this amount either.</p>
<p>So yes, if you qualify for Blue&Gold even if it’s not applied yet, it most likely won’t make a difference since there is enough gift aid to cover your systemwide fees when it is.</p>
<p>For example:
Total UC Berkeley Costs= $31,566.00
My Gift Aid= $16,112.00
My Net Cost=$15,454.00</p>
<p>What does the $16k in “gift aid” consist of? All grants? </p>
<p>Were you offered any loans? If not, you need to ask for $5500 in student loans. Were you given work-study?</p>
<p>B&G is just a promise that your fees/tuition will get covered with some combo of grants.</p>