UC Berkeley has a robust scholarship programme, designed to break financial barriers and cultivate a diverse community of scholars. The University of California Berkeley scholarships are more than just financial aid.
These scholarships are a testament to Berkeley’s commitment to accessibility, offering many opportunities for students from all walks of life.
This is a prime contributor to its #10 ranking in QS World University Rankings 2024. UC Berkeley has attracted 6,847 international students, making approximately 16.2% of the student body.
| Overview of University of California Berkeley scholarships | |
| Eligibility Criteria | Varies by scholarship: academic excellence, financial need, specific majors, underrepresented groups |
| Patrons | – Individual philanthropists – UC Berkeley alumni – Corporations and Foundations |
| Scholarship Types | Merit-based, need-based, department-specific, external |
| Programme Requirements | – Minimum GPA – Enrolment status – Programme duration, – Specific course or research commitments |
| Scholarship Range | From partial tuition coverage to full-ride, including stipends for living expenses and books |
Scholarships & Financial Aid Available At University Of California Berkeley
As a leader in the education space, the University of California Berkeley prides itself on being a trendsetter. The institution has thus partnered with multiple organisations and individuals to present generous opportunities for learners in the United States and international applicants, such as the UC Berkeley scholarships for Indian students.
The scholarships are designed to help lower your education expenses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We will broadly categorise the UC Berkeley scholarships into two: scholarships offered in and through the university and outside scholarships.
Internal Scholarships
The University of California Berkeley grants funding opportunities to over 3,000 students annually.
The majority of these are undergraduate scholarships. The table below shows a detailed list of the diverse internal scholarships offered by the UC Berkeley
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship | Not stated | 3.5 GPA and aboveComplete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application | March 2 |
| Fiat Lux Scholarships | Varies according to assessments by the Financial Aid and Scholarships OfficePotential for a one-time $1,000 stipend for your research project | High achieving freshman from a Fiat Lux partner high schoolFaced significant barriers to accessing education | Automatically considered after making Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions. |
| Middle-Class Scholarships | Varies according to the student’s needs, the school or programme | New, transferring, or returning undergraduatesFamily assets should be below $201,000 | Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application by March 2Also, submit the Grant Verification Form for Cal Grant consideration to the California Student Aid Commission |
| Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship | Renewable monetary award (not specified)Guaranteed on-campus housingResearch funding of up to $1,000 | Exemplary scholars with financial need It is also granted on an honorary basis to students without financial need | Automatic selection by the Academic Senate Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid |
| African American Initiative Scholarship | Not stated | A student from the African American community | Not specified |
| SkyDeck Intern Scholarship | Up to $4,000 stipend | Full-time undergraduate student at UC BerkeleyCurrent recipient of the Chafee Grant, Parent Grant, Cal Grant, Pell Grant, or Fiat Lux ScholarshipSecured an unpaid internship, at least 15 hours a week with a SkyDeck startup for Spring or Fall | January 8 |
| New Leader Scholarship | Not stated | Outstanding scholars and change agents passionate about social justice | Not specified |
External Resources For International Students
Having looked at the various funding programmes available for students joining UC Berkeley. Also including the University of California Berkeley scholarship requirements for internal scholarships, it’s now time to address other options.
Each year, UC Berkeley students receive over $10 million in external funding, not to mention the numerous education loans for US students. Masters students benefit primarily from external funding as they seek University of California Berkeley PhD scholarships to alleviate their financial burden.
Options for outside funding include:
| Site | Details |
| Best Colleges | Database of over 20,000 scholarships across various fields |
| Cal Alumni Association | Available to entering and continuing UC Berkeley undergrads |
| Big Future College Board Search | Offers over 2,300 sources for college funding |
| The College Grants Database | Includes career-related grants, government grants, and specialised grants for target groups applicable to undergraduates and graduate students |
| College Scholarships.org | Diverse funding opportunities from students of all walks, including bloggers |
| FinAid | Offers valuable info on how to increase your chances of winning a scholarship |
| Federal Student Aid | Find helpful links for applying for Federal Student Aid |
| The Gates Millenium Scholars Programme | Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation targeting outstanding minority students |
| Hispanic Scholarship Fund | Full range of support services and scholarships to students of Hispanic origin |
| ScholarMatch | Links donors with college-bound students |
| Scholarship Connection | A clearinghouse that gives continuing Berkeley students data on external scholarships |
| Higher Ed Immigration Portal | Undergraduate scholarships for undocumented students who don’t need proof of U.S. citizenship |
University of California Berkeley Scholarships Lifecycle
Official data by the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs indicate that 2023-24 received the highest international student intakes in the USA, almost reaching 300,000. That said, the process below shows the steps that your undergraduate and University of California Berkeley Masters scholarship applications will go through before approval
- Individual and corporate donors create the named scholarships all year round and specify the purpose of each scholarship
- Berkeley disburses the scholarship in spring and offers students a financial aid package
- The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) matches needy qualified students with specific donor-named scholarships
- FASO shares scholarship recipient information with the University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) office, and the office requests scholars for a scholarship profile
- From October to December, the student is tasked with creating and submitting scholarship profiles. The profiles indicate how the scholarships have eased the cost of studying in the USA
- UDAR sends the created profiles to donors during winter and spring after editing for spelling, grammar, and sensitive information
- Students record a video sharing their passions and student experiences with donors at the request of UDAR during late spring
- The created ThankView videos are sent to donors during the early summer
FAQs
1. Does University Of California Berkeley Offer Scholarships For International Students?
The University of California Berkeley offers undergraduate scholarships for exemplary and needy American and international students.
2. What Types Of Scholarships Does University Of California Berkeley Offer?
UC Berkeley offers merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships for students with exemplary skills and a thirst for change. Students pursuing University of California Berkeley postgraduate scholarships can look for outside resources for funding.
3. What Is The Maximum Scholarship Amount Offered By University Of California Berkeley?
The maximum amount for University of California Berkeley scholarships varies depending on the type of scholarship, the student’s financial need, academic excellence, and other criteria.
4. What Is The Application Deadline For University Of California Berkeley Scholarships?
The school automatically issues most scholarships offered by the University of California Berkeley. However, most align with the FAFSA aid submissions in March.
5. Can Current Students At University Of California Berkeley Apply For Scholarships For The Next Academic Year?
Yes. Current students with a decent academic record can apply for continuous scholarships at the University of California Berkeley.
6. Are There Any Merit-Based Scholarships Available At University Of California Berkeley?
Programmes such as the Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship, Fiat Lux Scholarships, and the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship are issued on a Merit basis. Students must maintain a high academic achievement during reviews to renew such scholarships.
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