Berkeley Exchange

Program Description:
During the second semester of your 2L year, you can petition the Administrative Board, through the Dean of Students Office, to study at Berkeley in your 3L year.

Financial Aid Application Process:
If you are approved for the program, you will spend your third year at Berkeley enrolled as a Berkeley Exchange student. We will be responsible for processing your financial aid as you will still be considered a Harvard Law School student. You will apply for aid in the same manner as in your previous years here at HLS. 

Your Student Bill:
You will receive two bills: one from Harvard and one from Berkeley. 

• On your Harvard bill, you will be charged the full HLS tuition minus the Berkeley Exchange program fee, which for the 2012-2013 academic year was $3,492. Additionally, Harvard will charge you both the University Health Service Fee and the Blue Cross/Blue Shield fee. In order to waive the Health Service Fee you will need to contact the Harvard University insurance office. If you have appropriate medical coverage, you may also waive the Blue Cross/Blue Shield fee by going to the same web site.
• Your Berkeley bill will consist of five budget categories: the class pass, the campus fee, the non-waiveable health insurance, the law materials fee, and the exchange fee for a total of $3,492 in 2012-2013 ($1,746 per semester). In mid-August and again in mid-January, HLS will cut a check to Berkeley for students on financial aid for the program fee. You will need to pay Berkeley directly for any other charges incurred.

Your Student Budget:
Your budget will be increased by $1,500 compensate for the extra expenses related to this program of study. This increase is eligible for grant assistance, if applicable. Additionally, the tuition category will be lower and you will have an additional budget category called Berkeley Exchange Program Fee. The combination of tuition and this program fee will equal regular full tuition at HLS ($52,350 for 2013-2014). Furthermore, the category of “fees” will be lower due to our assumption that you will take the actions necessary to waive the Harvard University Health Service fee. In order to recognize that you will be taking on extra travel and relocation costs, we will take the amount of money that would have been used for the Health Service fee and divide it between two budget categories: half to travel and half to room/board/personal. See 2012-2013 example below:

Summer Work Requirement:
You will be held to the same work requirement the summer before you enroll at Berkeley as in previous years. See the Student Contribution from Summer Income section of this web site for details on the summer work requirement.

Cash Advances and Refunds:
If you are eligible to receive a cash advance, you will receive it after you have registered. All cash advance and refund checks are mailed to the official address on file with the Registrar's Office unless you have direct deposit set up with the Student Receivables Office. We strongly encourage all students in this program to have direct deposit.

Other Considerations:

• Mandatory Meeting: You will need to attend a meeting with Student Financial Services prior to leaving HLS at the end of your 2L year. 
• Graduation Requirements: In April of your last semester at Berkeley, we will contact you regarding an Exit Interview. The Exit Interview is required for all graduating students. You will receive materials via the web and conduct your Exit Interview over the phone with a Financial Aid Officer.

For more program-specific details, contact the Dean of Students Office.