Does UC Berkeley offer merit scholarships?

Very limited. Only about 2% of freshmen receive non-need institutional merit, averaging $13,175. The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship ($2,500/year minimum, up to full COA with need) goes to ~150+ freshmen. All applicants are automatically considered. No automatic merit awards based on GPA or test scores.

How much is the Regents' Scholarship without financial need?

$2,500 per year ($10,000 over four years). The non-cash benefits (priority enrollment, guaranteed housing, faculty mentorship, and the Research Fellowship) are often more valuable than the cash for high-income families. For families with need, the award can scale to full COA.

What state programs help California families at Berkeley?

Cal Grant A covers up to $15,400/year in UC tuition (3.0+ GPA, income-qualified). Blue and Gold covers tuition for families under $100,000. Middle Class Scholarship helps families up to $234,000. All require FAFSA. None are merit programs.

UC Berkeley award rules

Will the scholarship last four years at UC Berkeley?

We pulled the school’s grade, credit, and time limits into one place so you can see what it takes to keep the award.

Verified Jul 20261 month ago· PT

The short answer

1 of 1 published awards are listed as renewable.

The exact rule can change by award. Check the award your student may receive before you count on the same amount every year.

What to do

Find the award name in the full research below. Save its grade, credit, and deadline rules with your college plan.

See every award rule, common mistake, and source

At a glance

Renewable tiers: 1 of 1
One-time tiers: 0
Tiers with published renewal terms: 1
Renewal risk profile: low

Renewal risk profile

UC Berkeley's published renewal rules cluster around a 3.0 floor with no major-GPA gating, which is survivable for the typical freshman with steady study habits. The risk is non-renewal due to enrollment status (dropping below full-time), not GPA.

Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship: See notes

Renewal terms by tier

Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship
Minimum $2,500/year for students without financial need. For students with demonstrated need, awards scale up to full cost of attendance.
To keep it: Renewable for up to 8 semesters (freshmen) or 4 semesters (transfers). Scholars may take up to 2 semesters of leave while maintaining eligibility.
Source: https://financialaid.berkeley.edu/types-of-aid-at-berkeley/scholarships/regents-and-chancellors-scholarship/

How families lose this aid

Not filing FAFSA because the family income is 'too high' for a public school.
The Regents' Scholarship amount scales with need. Families who skip FAFSA lock themselves into the $2,500/year floor and forfeit Middle Class Scholarship eligibility (families up to $234,000). Always file FAFSA, even at public universities.

Renewal questions families ask

Does UC Berkeley offer merit scholarships?: Very limited. Only about 2% of freshmen receive non-need institutional merit, averaging $13,175. The Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship ($2,500/year minimum, up to full COA with need) goes to ~150+ freshmen. All applicants are automatically considered. No automatic merit awards based on GPA or test scores.
How much is the Regents' Scholarship without financial need?: $2,500 per year ($10,000 over four years). The non-cash benefits (priority enrollment, guaranteed housing, faculty mentorship, and the Research Fellowship) are often more valuable than the cash for high-income families. For families with need, the award can scale to full COA.
What state programs help California families at Berkeley?: Cal Grant A covers up to $15,400/year in UC tuition (3.0+ GPA, income-qualified). Blue and Gold covers tuition for families under $100,000. Middle Class Scholarship helps families up to $234,000. All require FAFSA. None are merit programs.

How UC Berkeley compares across our verified dataset

667 of 749 verified schools publish at least one four-year renewable merit award.
UC Berkeley is one of them. The cohort minority (82 schools) only awards one-year scholarships, which means the four-year value families assume on a brochure quote isn't guaranteed at every school.

Sources used on this page

Every renewal claim is checked against UC Berkeley’s own published materials.