Does UC Berkeley offer financial aid to international students?
I'm an international student about to start my senior year, and I'm looking at UC Berkeley as one of my dream schools. I know a lot of US universities give financial aid mostly to domestic students, but I can't seem to find a clear answer about Berkeley. Do they offer any grants or scholarships specifically for international applicants, or is everything need-based only for US citizens?
If any current Berkeley students (especially internationals) or applicants know how realistic it is to get financial assistance, I'd love to hear your experience or advice. I really want to apply, but there's no way my family can afford it unless I get some financial support from the school.
If any current Berkeley students (especially internationals) or applicants know how realistic it is to get financial assistance, I'd love to hear your experience or advice. I really want to apply, but there's no way my family can afford it unless I get some financial support from the school.
2 weeks ago
•
137 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley unfortunately does not offer need-based financial aid or grants to international students, since these sources of funding are restricted to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualifying non-citizens per federal and state rules. International undergraduates are expected to show they have the financial resources to cover full costs for each year, and those costs are quite significant for non-residents.
There are a few very limited scholarships specifically for international students at Berkeley, but these are generally small, highly competitive, and not anywhere close to covering full tuition, fees, and living expenses. For example, some academic departments or private donors may sponsor modest merit awards (think $1,000–$5,000 a year), but these are not guaranteed and you often cannot apply until you are already enrolled and on campus. There is no large-scale institutional or need-based aid program for international undergraduates at Berkeley.
Here’s what some international students do: They look for scholarships from their home countries, international scholarship organizations, or private sponsors. Organizations like the Davis United World Scholars Program (for UWC graduates) or external foundations may provide support, but these are rare and application processes are quite competitive.
For example, a student from Singapore might secure a scholarship from a Singaporean educational foundation, or a student from India might receive local business sponsorships to help with costs. But again, Berkeley itself expects international students to have their funding arranged before starting school.
If significant financial aid is essential for you, you might want to consider other U.S. universities that are known to be need-aware or need-blind and do offer dedicated scholarships or even full-ride packages to international students (such as some Ivy League schools, or smaller private colleges). For UC Berkeley specifically, you should plan as if you will not receive institutional financial support.
Feel free to ask more about the process or alternative options—students in your situation often find creative ways, but it definitely requires extra searching and flexibility with your college list.
There are a few very limited scholarships specifically for international students at Berkeley, but these are generally small, highly competitive, and not anywhere close to covering full tuition, fees, and living expenses. For example, some academic departments or private donors may sponsor modest merit awards (think $1,000–$5,000 a year), but these are not guaranteed and you often cannot apply until you are already enrolled and on campus. There is no large-scale institutional or need-based aid program for international undergraduates at Berkeley.
Here’s what some international students do: They look for scholarships from their home countries, international scholarship organizations, or private sponsors. Organizations like the Davis United World Scholars Program (for UWC graduates) or external foundations may provide support, but these are rare and application processes are quite competitive.
For example, a student from Singapore might secure a scholarship from a Singaporean educational foundation, or a student from India might receive local business sponsorships to help with costs. But again, Berkeley itself expects international students to have their funding arranged before starting school.
If significant financial aid is essential for you, you might want to consider other U.S. universities that are known to be need-aware or need-blind and do offer dedicated scholarships or even full-ride packages to international students (such as some Ivy League schools, or smaller private colleges). For UC Berkeley specifically, you should plan as if you will not receive institutional financial support.
Feel free to ask more about the process or alternative options—students in your situation often find creative ways, but it definitely requires extra searching and flexibility with your college list.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years