Financial Aid

UC Berkeley is located in one of the most expensive areas to live in the U.S. It is important to be financially prepared. See our Estimate of Expenses to find out what your tuition and fees will cost per year.

Financial Aid Administered by Berkeley International Office
The following types of financial aid, administered by the Berkeley International Office, are only available to international students who have been registered at UC Berkeley for a minimum of two semesters. If you find yourself in financial need, speak to an Adviser in Berkeley International Office about your options:

Grant-in-Aid
Grants are awards paid directly toward required registration fees.

Work Study
Work-study is a special on-campus employment program awarded to a small number of students based on need. Awards are not applied directly to tuition fees, but earned through employment.

International Graduate Student Family Grant
All registered international graduate students who have a spouse or child living with them in the United States are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded based on financial need and changes in the applicant's financial situation.

Undergraduate Scholarships
This is a merit-based award for students with a high GPA. Award amount depends upon GPA and level of need.

Shih Loan Program
These loans are interest-free while registered at Berkeley, and may be repaid after completing studies. See also the Shih Loan Program for more information.

Medical Fund
Some financial assistance is available to students who have unexpected medical expenses that are not covered by their health insurance and which result in substantial financial hardship. (Note: All students at Berkeley must have health insurance.) The Medical Fund can pay bills directly to the health care provider and has a lifetime limit of $500. For more information, see an Adviser at Berkeley International Office.

Other Sources of Financial Aid

International House Room and Board Scholarships
If you are interested in living at the International House, full and partial scholarships are available to registered graduate or upper division international students. The Betsey and W. Sheridan Warrick Scholarship Fund is also available to upper division or graduate music students. For further information contact the International House Executive Director’s Office.

Graduate Student Researchers and Instructors (GSR and GSI)
Graduate students may seek financial assistance from their academic departments in the form of Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI) positions. In some cases, fee remission may be granted as well as a stipend.

Graduate Fellowships
For graduate fellowships or outside sources of financial assistance contact the Graduate Fellowship Office or the academic department directly.

China Scholarship Council / University of California (CSC/UC)
Doctoral Fellowships
These fellowships are annually available through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to the Chinese students who would be admitted as prospective doctoral students by University of California. CSC is a non-profit institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China with the responsibilities of managing Chinese government scholarship programs. For more information, click here.

Small Emergency Loans
Small loans up to $650 are available through the Emergency Loan Office, 220 Sproul Hall, for registered students. Call for information (642-0470). These loans are interest-free and must be repaid within 60 days. The office hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Monday through Thursday. Checks are usually issued the day the application is submitted.

International House Emergency Loans
International House has short-term loans available to assist students who have personal emergencies.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund
This program provides scholarships for selected women from countries outside the U.S. and Canada. Applications must be submitted between August 15 and December 15 each year. Award recipients must return to their home country within 60 days of completing their studies or their practical training. For more information, please visit http://www.peointernational.org/about/

Commercial Loans
Some banks and financial institutions offer loans to international students who have a co-signer such as TERI. However, these loans are made at commercial interest rates and are thus an expensive way to pay for your school expenses.

Library and Web Resources
Use the enormous resources of the UC Library system to help you in your search. An internet search for financial aid may also be helpful. The following are a few websites to help you get started:

eduPass - a guide for international students:
Foreignborn.com
Follow the links from the main page Study in the U.S. -> Paying for School: Financial Aid.
International Student Organization of America (ISOA)
On their main page, press the Financial Aid button.
GrantsNet
For training in the biomedical sciences and undergraduate science education
The Foundation Center
Follow the links from the main page: Learning Links-> User Aids-> International Students.


	Financial Aid for Students	A-Z Index
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Financial Aid Administered by Berkeley International Office The following types of financial aid, administered by the Berkeley International Office, are only available to international students who have been registered at UC Berkeley for a minimum of two semesters. If you find yourself in financial need, speak to an Adviser in Berkeley International Office about your options: Grant-in-Aid Grants are awards paid directly toward required registration fees. Work Study Work-study is a special on-campus employment program awarded to a small number of students based on need. Awards are not applied directly to tuition fees, but earned through employment. International Graduate Student Family Grant All registered international graduate students who have a spouse or child living with them in the United States are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded based on financial need and changes in the applicant's financial situation. Undergraduate Scholarships This is a merit-based award for students with a high GPA. Award amount depends upon GPA and level of need. Shih Loan Program These loans are interest-free while registered at Berkeley, and may be repaid after completing studies. See also the Shih Loan Program for more information. Medical Fund Some financial assistance is available to students who have unexpected medical expenses that are not covered by their health insurance and which result in substantial financial hardship. (Note: All students at Berkeley must have health insurance.) The Medical Fund can pay bills directly to the health care provider and has a lifetime limit of $500. For more information, see an Adviser at Berkeley International Office. Other Sources of Financial Aid International House Room and Board Scholarships If you are interested in living at the International House, full and partial scholarships are available to registered graduate or upper division international students. The Betsey and W. Sheridan Warrick Scholarship Fund is also available to upper division or graduate music students. For further information contact the International House Executive Director’s Office. Graduate Student Researchers and Instructors (GSR and GSI) Graduate students may seek financial assistance from their academic departments in the form of Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI) positions. In some cases, fee remission may be granted as well as a stipend. Graduate Fellowships For graduate fellowships or outside sources of financial assistance contact the Graduate Fellowship Office or the academic department directly. China Scholarship Council / University of California (CSC/UC) Doctoral Fellowships These fellowships are annually available through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to the Chinese students who would be admitted as prospective doctoral students by University of California. CSC is a non-profit institution affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China with the responsibilities of managing Chinese government scholarship programs. For more information, click here. Small Emergency Loans Small loans up to $650 are available through the Emergency Loan Office, 220 Sproul Hall, for registered students. Call for information (642-0470). These loans are interest-free and must be repaid within 60 days. The office hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Monday through Thursday. Checks are usually issued the day the application is submitted. International House Emergency Loans International House has short-term loans available to assist students who have personal emergencies. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund This program provides scholarships for selected women from countries outside the U.S. and Canada. Applications must be submitted between August 15 and December 15 each year. Award recipients must return to their home country within 60 days of completing their studies or their practical training. For more information, please visit http://www.peointernational.org/about/ Commercial Loans Some banks and financial institutions offer loans to international students who have a co-signer such as TERI. However, these loans are made at commercial interest rates and are thus an expensive way to pay for your school expenses. Library and Web Resources Use the enormous resources of the UC Library system to help you in your search. An internet search for financial aid may also be helpful. The following are a few websites to help you get started: eduPass - a guide for international students: Foreignborn.com Follow the links from the main page Study in the U.S. -> Paying for School: Financial Aid. International Student Organization of America (ISOA) On their main page, press the Financial Aid button. GrantsNet For training in the biomedical sciences and undergraduate science education The Foundation Center Follow the links from the main page: Learning Links-> User Aids-> International Students.