"Speaking Truth to Power"
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.
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 1st, 2008 for priority processing. UC Berkeley’s institution code for the FAFSA is 001312.
Financial support for second-year students can include:
- Employment as a reader, tutor or teaching assistant at GSPP or other
campus units.
For more information: - Employment as a research assistant in ongoing faculty research
- Savings from the salary earned from the required summer policy internship
- Salary from the client of the student’s advanced policy analysis
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.
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.
Jacob K. Javits Political Leadership Scholarships
These scholarships will be available for new students who express clear political and public service aspirations. Applications for scholarship awards in the 2008-09 academic year are available for download
.
Graduate Diversity Program (GDP 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. GDP 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 Diversity Program
Graduate Division
316 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.
Student Fees and Tuition
For the most recent information regarding fees and/or tuition, please visit: http://registrar.berkeley.edu/Registration/feesched.html#pubpol
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 $14,000 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").
If you have any further questions, please contact the Coordinator of Admissions and Student Affairs at (510) 642-1940 or via email gsppadm@socrates.berkeley.edu.
Last Updated: 04/08/2008