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george miller with miller scholar

The George A. Miller Scholars Program provides outstanding community college transfer students the opportunity to develop leadership, research or community service skills and apply them in practice. Every year ten low-income, first-generation students are selected based on their leadership potential, academic excellence, and commitment to community service and education. As a close-knit group of students, Miller Scholars participate in the program for two years receiving individualized personal attention and guidance that helps them transition to Berkeley, succeed academically, and develop skills to ensure long term success. Based on financial need, each year, based on financial need, Miller Scholars receive up to $6000 in scholarship for Fall/Spring, and up to $2000 for the summer between year one and year two.

Eligible students are contacted via email in early June and asked to complete an online application. If you meet the criteria below and have committed to UC Berkeley as a new transfer student, make sure to check you email in-box for the application invite. If you feel you meet the criteria below but did not receive an email from the program you can contact Luisa Giulianetti lgiulian@berkeley.edu

Federal Trio Programs Current-Year Low-Income Levels

Size of Family48 Contiguous States, D.C., and Outlying JurisdictionAlaskaHawaii
1$20,385$25,485$23,445
2$27,465$34,335$31,590
3$34,545$43,185$39,735
4$41,625$52,035$47,880
5$48,705$60,885$56,025
6$55,785$69,735$64,170
7$62,865$78,585$72,315
8$69,945$87,435$80,460

or family units with more than eight members, add the following amount for each additional family member: $7,080 for the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia and outlying jurisdictions; $8,850 for Alaska; and $8,145 for Hawaii.

The term "low-income individual" means an individual whose family's taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.

The figures shown under family income represent amounts equal to 150 percent of the family income levels established by the Census Bureau for determining poverty status. The poverty guidelines were published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register on January 21, 2022 and are effective as of January 12, 2022.

The 2024 APPLICATION is availble here, https://airtable.com/shrd5c8OOAkFG1nmB

ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST

Eligibility Checklist for the Miller Scholars Program.

  • Are you considered low-income?
  •  Are you a first generation college student? (The US Department of Education defines first-generation college student as a student who, prior to age 18, did not reside with or receive primary support from, a parent who has received a B.A. degree or its equivalent.)
  • You must be either a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States (or otherwise eligible for Federal Financial Aid) or eligible for the California Dream Act.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Additional Requirements for 2024 Miller Applicants

  • You must be transferring to UC Berkeley from a California community college during Fall, 2024.
  • During the summer of 2025, you must be available to spend approximately 20 hours per week on your research or community service project and attend a weekly seminar.
  • You must attend a weekly seminar each semester of the two-year program (Fall, 2024-Spring, 2025). For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Miller Scholars Seminar will be held on Tuesdays, 2-4 PM.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

How to determine if you are considered low-income:

  • If you are considered independent on your taxes, you are considered low-income if your taxable income is less than the amount shown on the table below for your family size.
  • If you are dependent, you are considered low-income if the combined taxable income of you and your parents are less than the amount shown on the table below for your family size.
  • Note: Taxable Income can be found on line 43 in form 1040; line 27 in 1040A; line 6 in 1040EZ.
  • (Low income guidelines in table below from Dept. of Education are effective from January 2020, until further notice)