UC Berkeley Journalism - Admissions

To request program information, please complete our online request form. To begin the online application process, please see How To Apply.

Brittney Johnson, a first-year television student, travels with Dean Neil Henry to her alma-mater, Howard University, to speak to prospective students about what it's like to attend the J-School.

Financial Aid

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Federal financial aid, which may be in the form of loans, grants, or qualification for work-study, is based on demonstrated need. Students are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as soon as possible to enable the aid package to be determined quickly. The FAFSA for the academic year 2009-2010 will not be available until January 2008, and has a priority filing date of March 2, 2008.
For more information, see the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships or contact the university's Graduate Financial Aid Office, 201 Sproul Hall, 510-642-0485. The university's web site is also a valuable information resource.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid. See below for more information.

For departmental and university aid consideration, applicants must check the "Fellowship and/or Departmental Aid Applicant" box on the Applicant Summary Sheet, submit the FAFSA, and send in the appropriate supplemental forms of the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships (see "How to Apply" for instructions on what forms are required).

University Support
Students in the Journalism program are eligible for one university-wide fellowship: The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship:

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
Fellowships of $16,000 plus tuition and fees are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents specializing in foreign language and international studies who plan to enroll in language courses related to that specialty. Applicants must check the "Fellowship and/or Departmental Aid Applicant" and the "Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship Applicant" boxes on the Summary Sheet and complete Form C, pages 1 and 2, and Form D (essay) of the application. You must also complete both sections of Form F: Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement.

Departmental Support
Need-based Departmental Grants
To be considered, applicants must check the "Fellowship and/or Departmental Aid Applicant" box on the Summary Sheet and complete Form C, pages 1 and 2, of the application; applicants must also submit the FAFSA (see above). Grants typically range from $500 to $5000 a year, and are need-based.

Work Opportunities On-Campus
Within the Graduate School of Journalism
As the school does not have an undergraduate program, the J-School does not appoint Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) positions. First-year, first semester students are not eligible for Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions; after the first semester, students may apply for GSR positions. Appointments are need-based and work-study eligibility is required.
Each year faculty members and teaching fellows hire students as assistants. Students also work at the school in the television, radio, and photography labs.
In other departments on campus
Students have applied for and received GSI and GSR appointments in other departments on campus. The Student Affairs office will forward position announcements as received, but it is up to the student to locate this type of position.

Work Opportunities Off-Campus
Most students earn money working part-time or freelancing for a variety of Bay Area media in print, broadcast or new media.

International Applicants
You will be expected to show proof of ability to support yourself (and your family, if applicable) for two years of study. The estimated student budget (including tuition, books, transportation and living expenses) for international students is approximately $45,000 a year. Married students should bring an additional $7,000 if accompanied by a spouse and $4,000 for each accompanying child.

International students are not eligible for federal student loans but will be considered for need-based departmental grants. Funding is limited though and full scholarships are not available; we recommend applying for scholarships and grants from outside organizations or looking into loan programs specifically designed for international students. The School of Journalism does not offer teaching assistantships and opportunities for employment are severely limited. Students holding a student visa (F-1) should not expect to be employed in nonacademic positions during the first two semesters and spouses and children on dependents' visas (F-2) are not permitted to accept employment.

International students interested in being considered for departmental grants must check the "Fellowship and/or Departmental Aid Applicant" box on the 2009 Applicant Summary Sheet. The FAFSA is not required for international applicants.

International students are encouraged to start early and investigate government and private resources in their areas, and to consult the many Web sites devoted to assisting international students with funding graduate-level study. The International Student Advisor at International House can also be contacted at 2299 Piedmont Ave., 510-642-2818. The e-mail address is siss@berkeley.edu. or visit their website.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

This list should be used as a starting point in researching funding opportunities for graduate study. There are many other funding opportunities available.
**Please note: Many scholarship/fellowship deadlines fall before the application deadline for the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Research and apply early. You can apply for scholarships/ fellowships before you apply to graduate school. Funding will only be awarded once you enroll in a program.**