"Speaking Truth to Power"

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Admissions

Financial Aid

Financial assistance to help meet school educational expenses is available from the School on a competitive basis to those who apply.

In order to be eligible for a fellowship, applicants must submit the Financial Assistance page of the GSPP application and the appropriate forms in the graduate application packet. The request for aid cannot be considered until all the required supporting materials are received. You will be notified about any departmental award in your admission letter.

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Applying for Financial Aid

All applicants who are U.S. citizens or U.S permanent residents applying for any type of financial assistance must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. It is also used to determine eligibility for need-based fellowships and departmental funding. The FAFSA is available at your closest college or university, or public library. Applicants may also apply on the Internet at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is available in December or January, and students should plan to file the FAFSA by March 1, 2011 for priority processing. UC Berkeley’s institution code for the FAFSA is 001312.

Financial support for second-year students can include:

More information about financial aid opportunities, housing, and estimated living costs for Berkeley graduate students may be found in the announcement on “Graduate Application for Admission, Fellowship and Financial Aid” or write to the Office of Financial Aid, 201 Sproul Hall #1960, University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley, CA 94720-1960, or consult the Graduate Division web site.

Those admitted to the School who have significant unmet financial needs should feel free to discuss their situation with the assistant dean.

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GSPP Departmental Fellowships

These fellowships are awarded on a merit basis and awards may vary. Fellowship packages can include any combination of fees, out-of-state tuition, and stipend for one year.

The Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fellowship Award

This merit-based fellowship is awarded to the top applicant. Award covers full fees/tuition and a stipend for each of two years.

Graduate Diversity Program (GOP Awards)

These awards provide financial assistance for entering students whose backgrounds, interests, or goals serve to enhance the level of diversity within the graduate community. GOP awards are based on financial need, academic promise, diversity contribution and are available to US citizens and permanent residents. The awards provide a maximum stipend of $10,500 for each of two years for doctoral students and up to $10,000 for one year for master’s degree students, plus tuition and fees.

For more information please refer to the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships or,

University of California, Berkeley
Graduate Fellowships Office
Graduate Division
318 Sproul Hall #5900
Berkeley, CA 94720-5900
510-643-6010 
grad.diversity@berkeley.edu

The Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program

Eligible students who successfully complete a PPIA Junior Year Summer Institute are encouraged to apply to GSPP for their graduate studies. Fellowships include a stipend and tuition/fee waiver for up to both years of the program. There is no separate application, however, students should indicate their PPIA fellow status on the MPP Supplemental Application.

The Edmund S. Muskie/Freedom and Support Act Fellowship Program

GSPP is a host institution for the Edmund S. Muskie Fellowship Program. The program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Information Agency, places one graduate student from the former Soviet Union each year in the MPP program. The student is provided with fellowship support to attend GSPP. For more information, please contact the Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs at (510) 642-1940 or via email gsppadm@socrates.berkeley.edu.

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Extramural Fellowships

2012 Graduate Fellowship - Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is now accepting applications for its 2012 graduate fellowships. The Rangel Program seeks applicants who are interested in promoting positive change in the world as Foreign Service Officers for the U.S. Department of State. The fellowship is open to undergraduate seniors and graduates who want to begin two-year master’s programs in the fall of 2012.

In March 2012, the program will select twenty Rangel Fellows who will receive up to $90,000 in benefits over two years to fund tuition, mandatory fees, and living expenses for completion of two-year master’s degrees. These benefits include two summer internships, one on Capitol Hill and one overseas at a U.S. embassy, in additional to professional development activities and mentoring. Awardees may use the fellowship to fund graduate studies of international affairs or a related subject such as public administration, business administration or public policy at U.S. universities. Those who successfully complete the program will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers upon graduation, embarking on one of the most exciting and rewarding careers.

Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, plans to enter graduate school in fall 2012, and a minimum 3.2 GPA. The program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service and those with financial need. The application deadline is January 20, 2012. Additional information about the Rangel Program and specific application requirements are available at www.rangelprogram.org.

The Rangel Program is managed by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University and funded by the U.S. Department of State. It seeks to promote excellence and diversity in the U.S. Foreign Service. The Goldman School of Public Policy is a university partner with the Rangel Program.

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Student Fees and Tuition

For the most recent information regarding fees and/or tuition, please visit: http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Registration/feesched.html#pubpol – IMPORTANT NOTE: On this URL link, fees are per semester.

Funding for Summer Internships

While most summer internship opportunities are paid, there are some that are unpaid. In these cases, MPP students can apply for funding from the School through the GSPP Emergency Summer Internship Fund, a need based program open to MPP first-year students fulfilling the internship requirement. Joint degree students are ineligible, but may be considered if there is enough funding after funding decisions have been made for non-joint degree students. This fund is to be used as a last resort if students are unable to secure a paid position for the summer.

Establishing Residency

If your are a non-resident of California, you can establish California residency by the second year of the program, if you follow the appropriate guidelines, thereby saving you approximately $13,000 in out-of state fees your second year. (Must be a US citizen). To be classified as a resident, a student must have 1) relinquished his/her prior residence and 2) been physically present and established residence in California for more than one (1) year immediately preceding the residence determination date. A few examples of indicators of intent are:

  • Remaining in California when school is not in session
  • Registering to vote and voting in California elections
  • Designating California as permanent address on all school and employment records
  • Obtaining a California Driver’s License within ten (10) days of arriving in California
  • Obtaining a motor vehicle registration within twenty (20) days of arriving in California
  • Establishing and maintaining active bank accounts in California banks and closing out-of-state accounts

For more information please contact the Office Of the Registrar, Residence Affairs, (510) 642-1614 or consult the residency section of their website at http://registrar.berkeley.edu/ssvc.html (scroll down to the last section entitled "Resident for tuition purposes").

Last Updated:  09/30/2010