Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship

Crankstart (for New Admits)

The Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship provides up to $5,000 awards to ten first-semester (if you began taking courses during summer, you may still apply) undergraduate re-entry students who demonstrate the potential and capacity to positively contribute to society beyond Berkeley. The Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship application for the 2026-2027 cycle will open on Fall 2026.

It will open on Fall 2026

Applicants must:

  • Be a UC Berkeley re-entry student above the age of 25
  • Be an Undergraduate pursuing their first baccalaureate degree
  • Be in their first full semester at UC Berkeley (those who began over the summer are also eligible) 
  • Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation (those planning on attending graduate school before the workforce are also eligible) 
  • Have filed a FAFSA and be eligible to receive financial aid (Dream aid included) 
  • Hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 from all colleges attended

Your application must include:

  1. A personal essay no more than three pages double-spaced (with one inch margins in Times New Roman font) that describes what it means to be a re-entry student. In your essay please: share your interest and values, highlight your personal achievements through your work, school, family or community service in spite of obstacles, explain how your leadership and perseverance made a difference, address the interruption to your college academics, and share your educational and career goals. 

  2. Copies of transcripts from all colleges attended (unofficial accepted) 

  3. No more than 2 letters of recommendation (can be from, for example, a former instructor, supervisor, or mentor who can speak to your ability to apply your Berkeley education to future contributions to society). Letters of recommendation may be sent using this form: https://bit.ly/LOR-crankstart25.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship will open on Fall 2026