Empowering tomorrow's storytellers: breaking down financial barriers so diverse voices can thrive

To change the face of journalism, we must uplift a new generation of diverse, talented storytellers. Thanks to the generosity of major donors through the Campaign for Berkeley Journalism, our Journalism School is breaking down financial barriers by expanding access to student awards, travel reporting grants, emergency funds, and summer internship stipends. We’re proud to open doors for tomorrow's pioneering and principled journalists.

Application Fee Waivers for Eligible Applicants:

With this in mind, we welcome all applicants to apply and want to support anyone for whom this cost presents a hardship. To review eligibility criteria and request a waiver, please visit the "Application Fee & Waivers" tab under the "How to Apply" section of our Admissions page. For questions or additional support, please do not hesitate to contact us at admissions@journalism.berkeley.edu.

Berkeley Journalism Departmental Funding Overview

Financial constraints should never stand in the way of your education. We strongly encourage all interested candidates to apply, regardless of financial background.

All applicants, domestic and international alike, are eligible for merit- and need-based departmental funding support. To receive priority consideration, we highly encourage you to submit your application by the Round 1 (priority) deadline. Annual awards may vary, ranging from $5,000 awards to fully-funded fellowships covering complete tuition, fees, and a modest living stipend.

1. Merit-Based Departmental Funding

How to Apply: All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based departmental funding.

Because our review process is deeply holistic, we evaluate merit by looking at your achievements within the context of your opportunities. Key factors include, but are not limited to:

  • Journalism Experience & Commitment: Proven dedication to the field.
  • Transferable & Technical Skills: Direct and relevant capabilities.
  • Mission Alignment: Shared values with the J-School and UC Berkeley.
  • Journalistic Potential: Promise for growth and impact as a journalist.

2. Need-Based Departmental Funding

How to Apply:

  • Complete the "Departmental Grant" section, including the Need-Based Funding Essay of up to 300 words, within your online application.
  • Domestic Applicants (U.S. Citizens & Eligible Non-Citizens): You must also submit the FAFSA so we can evaluate your financial need relative to the applicant pool.

Important Note on the FAFSA: Completing the FAFSA does not obligate you to accept student loans. It is simply a tool used by the UC Berkeley Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) to determine your eligibility for grants, fellowships, work study, and other financial awards.

Notifications regarding federal loan offers will be posted to your CalCentral portal in early May after accepting your offer. For any questions about your financial aid package, please reach out to the UC Berkeley FASO office directly.

Tuition & Cost Breakdown

For the most up-to-date tuition and fees, visit the UC Berkeley Registrar website and scroll down to the "Graduate: Professional - School of Journalism" fee table.

Cost of attendance estimates for personal graduate school budgeting may also be found on the UC Berkeley Financial Aid & Scholarships Office website.

Accurately Calculating Your Tuition & Fees:

  • Per-Semester Fees: All listed costs are per semester. Because the Master of Journalism (MJ) program spans two years (four semesters total), multiply the listed fees by four to estimate your total tuition and fee costs.
    *Please note: displayed rates reflect the current academic year. Official fees for Fall 2027–Spring 2028 will be finalized by the University in early July 2027.
  • California Residency: Because UC Berkeley is a public university, tuition depends on your residency status:
    -     California Residents: Pay standard in-state tuition and fees.
    - Nonresidents: Out-of-state U.S. residents and international students pay nonresident tuition and fees.

Note: Nonresident U.S. citizens can typically establish California residency after their first year to significantly lower second-year costs. International students remain nonresidents for both years. Learn more about establishing residency for tuition purposes on the UC Berkeley Office of the Registrar website.

Miscellaneous Costs:

In addition to tuition and campus fees, students should budget for estimated per-semester reporting and course expenses:

  • Transportation for Reporting Classes: $200 - $2,000
  • Documentary Production (for documentary students only): $2,000 - $10,000
  • Equipment Costs: Variable
  • Estimated Loan Fees: $244
  • Course Material Fees (varies by course): $40 - $200

Upon arrival, students should also plan to have a recent, quality Apple laptop or equivalent.

Some students may be eligible to take advantage of UC Berkeley's Student Technology Equity Program (STEP), which offers long-term loans of laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots based on financial need. You must file a FAFSA or CADAA and complete a Campus Data Authorization form to apply.

Berkeley Journalism Fellowships

All applicants, domestic and international alike, are automatically considered for these major fellowship awards, some of which are based on merit alone or a combination of both merit and need.

Priority is, however, given to individuals who submit a completed application by the Round 1 deadline. Select awards cover full tuition & fees plus a modest annual living stipend.

Some select funding opportunities, including the Dean’s Fellowship for first-generation college students, require a separate, additional application. Round 1 applicants will receive an email invitation in mid-December with instructions on how to apply.

*Note: Opportunities vary by year and are subject to change.

Past fellowships have included:

  • The Alice Kahn Journalism Masters Fellowship:
    Honoring the legacy of the celebrated California columnist, this $5,000, one-year fellowship supports a student across any media platform who uses wit and appropriate levity to address complex social and cultural issues. It is awarded to a storyteller who demonstrates a unique talent for bringing compelling, insightful humor back into the modern newsroom.
  • The Litke Fellowship in International Reporting:
    This $10,000, one-year fellowship is awarded to an incoming student with a passion for global storytelling through broadcast or visual journalism. It supports aspiring international reporters looking to launch their careers on the world stage.
  • The 11th Hour Food & Farming Journalism Fellowship:
    This $10,000, one-year fellowship supports an incoming student focused on reporting on food systems. Eligible areas of interest span the entire food landscape, from agricultural policy and climate change to food security, labor issues, and public health.
  • The Reporting on China Fellowship:
    This two-year fellowship supports an incoming student with a demonstrated interest in covering China's culture, history, and politics. It aims to help train a new generation of journalists to deliver nuanced, deeply informed coverage on Asia-Pacific affairs newsroom.
Six UC Berkeley Journalism’s Class of 2027 Dean’s Fellows standing outside Journalism School courtyard at Berkeley.
UC Berkeley Journalism Dean’s Fellows (Class of 2027). The Dean's Fellowship aims to support 5-6 first-generation college students each year, covering tuition and fees to help graduates build careers in journalism debt-free. Photo: Marlena Telvick
Berkeley Journalism student seated in the audience asking a question into a microphone on stage.
UC Berkeley Journalism student and Jubilee Fellow (Class of 2028), one of several available major fellowships awarded to incoming students.

UC Berkeley Campus Opportunities

Federal Student Aid: FAFSA, CADAA

To secure maximum financial aid at UC Berkeley, timing is key. Applications for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) open every fall for the upcoming academic year. While federal applications remain open through the final June 30 deadline, meeting California's March 2 priority deadline is critical to qualify for full on-time funding. Submitting after March 2 can significantly reduce your overall aid package, including university aid and state grants.

For more detailed guidance, please visit the UC Berkeley Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) website.

UC Berkeley Graduate Division Fellowships, Grants & Resources

Navigating graduate funding can feel overwhelming. To help simplify your search, explore the UC Berkeley Graduate Division’s Guide to Fellowships & Grants for broad campus and external funding. For industry-specific awards, review UC Berkeley Journalism’s directory for external journalism fellowships, which includes funding tied to professional and diversity conferences.

On-Campus Academic Student Employment

Unlike most graduate programs, UC Berkeley offers Academic Student Employment (ASE) positions that upon meeting eligibility for tuition fee remission, not only offer an hourly wage—but can cover a major portion of your tuition and fees. This rare combination of competitive compensation and substantial fee offsets makes Berkeley’s funding opportunities among the most exceptional in the country.

We strongly encourage you to explore and apply for options that align with your needs, field of study, and eligibility.

Available Student Roles: A wide range of Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and Academic Student Employment (ASE) opportunities are open to graduate students, including:

  • Graduate Student Instructor (GSI): Work under the supervision of faculty to grade, hold office hours, and assist with instruction.
  • Reader: Support course instructors primarily through grading and holding office hours.
  • Tutor: Provide targeted individual or group tutoring sessions.

Standout Financial Benefits:

  • Substantial Tuition & Fee Remission: Working an eligible position at 25% time or more (roughly 10+ hours per week) unlocks a major fee remission benefit—covering a significant portion of your tuition, campus fees, and Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
  • Competitive Pay: Earn direct income through hourly wages (typically $20–$25+ per hour) or a monthly stipend during your semester of employment.

ASE Opportunities for Journalism Students:

  • Hiring Departments: While the Journalism School does not offer GSR or ASE roles to incoming first-year students—and funding awarded upon admission is not contingent on campus employment—journalism students are eligible and strongly encouraged to apply for positions across the broader university. Common hiring departments for journalism students include: Media Studies, Political Science, American Studies, English, History, Global Studies, and Psychology.
  • Application Timeline: As soon as you accept your offer of admission, you can begin applying for campus-wide roles. Position postings typically open in mid-to-late March.
  • Compensation Details: Precise funding, fee remission eligibility, and job availability are determined by each hiring department.

For more complete details, please consult the Graduate Student Academic Appointments Handbook.

Additional Funding Opportunities & Resources for International Students

 

The Berkeley International Office (BIO)

The Berkeley International Office is the one-stop resource for international students and provides information on eligibility and opportunities for employment.

We also highly encourage international students, upon admission, to explore BIO's series of webinars for practical guidance on applying for a student visa, local housing, life in the Bay Area, and navigating your transition to UC Berkeley.

A current UC Berkeley Master of Journalism Documentary student peering through lens of a large video camera.
UC Berkeley M.J. Documentary student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar (Class of 2027) filming in the iconic J-School courtyard. Photo: Marlena Telvick

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Housed in UC Berkeley’s Center for African Studies, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides full funding for eligible applicants who are citizens of an African country. This program is scheduled to continue supporting scholars through 2030.

Four graduate students, one woman and three men, stand next to oneanother smiling in front of a brown shingled building.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars (Class of 2025) from left to right: James Mawien Manyuol, Victor Ochieng, Jennifer Ugwa and Daniel Ekonde. Photo: Marlena Telvick

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for this opportunity, you must meet their listed criteria. Only applicants who submit their online application for the 2-year Master of Journalism (MJ) program, and do so by the Round 1 (priority) deadline will be considered. Concurrent degree applicants for the MPH/MJ and MJ/MA are NOT eligible for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program consideration.

Selection Process & Timeline:

  1. Apply by December 1st: Submit your application to Berkeley Journalism through the standard graduate admissions process.
  2. Admissions Decision (early March): Only a handful of top, eligible admitted students will be formally nominated and invited to apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
  3. Final Awards (End of March): The Mastercard Foundation will then reach out to nominated candidates to conduct their own internal review process to select final award recipients, which typically includes a separate written application and interviews in March.

For questions about eligibility or about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, please contact their team directly at mcfs.programinfo@berkeley.edu.