Berkeley Journalism is committed to helping prospective students fund their graduate education sustainably.
Berkeley Journalism Admissions Merit & Need-Based Funding
All applicants who apply by the Round 1 deadline of 12/15/23 8:59 pm PT will receive priority consideration for limited Berkeley Journalism scholarships.
All domestic, undocumented and international students are considered. As with the application, we practice a holistic review. We consider merit within the context of academic opportunities and more, prior journalism experience, commitment to the field, direct and transferable skill sets, mission alignment, overall journalistic skill sets, reference letters, and more.
In order to be considered for need-based funding, students must complete the departmental grant section of the admission application. This is to determine need relative to the greater applicant pool.
While some 40 percent of students receive some sort of departmental funding, it varies from year to year and is not guaranteed. Funding packages may range from about $5,000 to $40,000.
We encourage all interested candidates to apply regardless of financial means.
Additional Berkeley Journalism Departmental Scholarships & Fellowship Opportunities
To be eligible to apply for these below scholarships/fellowships, you must submit your application by the Round 1 deadline.
Reporting on China Fellowship
The Reporting on China Fellowship, established in 2022, is a scholarship of $14,000 annually for two years offered to an incoming Berkeley Journalism student with a demonstrated interest in becoming a journalist specializing in coverage of China. The goal is to ensure journalists covering China gain proficiency in understanding the region's culture, history and languages so they can cover the country in a nuanced way.
A separate application is required after submitting a Master of Journalism application.
Qualifications
- Submitted a Berkeley Journalism application by the application deadline (All students who have applied by the Round 1 deadline (of 12/15/23 8:59 pm PT) will be invited to apply for this fellowship separately by the Berkeley Journalism admissions team.)
- Demonstrated interest in reporting on China in a nuanced way.
Litke Fellowship in International Reporting
The Litke Fellowship in International Reporting, established in 2022, is a $10,000 scholarship offered to an incoming Berkeley Journalism student with a demonstrated interest in becoming a journalist specializing in international reporting in broadcast or visual journalism.
A separate application is required after submitting a Master of Journalism application.
Qualifications
- Submitted a Berkeley Journalism application by the application deadline (All students who have applied by the Round 1 deadline (of 12/15/23 8:59 pm PT) will be invited to apply for this fellowship separately by the Berkeley Journalism admissions team.)
- Demonstrated interest in international reporting.
The 11th Hour Food and Farming Journalism Scholarship
The 11th Hour Food and Farming Journalism Scholarship is funded by The 11th Hour Project, a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation. This one-year $10k scholarship is for an incoming Master of Journalism student with an interest in reporting on food systems including agricultural and nutritional policy; food security and hunger; the food industry, food science, technology and culture; rural and urban farming; agriculture and the environment; food and climate change; global trade and supply chains; labor issues in the food sector; consolidation of the food system; and public health as it relates to food and agriculture.
A separate application is required after submitting a Master of Journalism application.
Qualifications
- Submitted a Berkeley Journalism application by the application deadline (All students who have applied by the Round 1 deadline (of 12/15/23 8:59 pm PT) will be invited to apply for this fellowship separately by the Berkeley Journalism admissions team.
- Demonstrated interest in reporting on food systems.
Greater UC Berkeley Campus Resources
UC Berkeley Graduate Division Fellowship and Grants
The Graduate Division offers a comprehensive guide to for funding opportunities. Click here for their guide to fellowships and grants.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
Students interested in pursuing studies in a foreign language as part of their graduate work at Berkeley may apply for a FLAS Academic Year Fellowship. Visit the FLAS page for information and requirements for this competitive university fellowship. Please check your eligibility for this fellowship through the webpage linked above.
The application for the FLAS Fellowship is part of the graduate application under the Languages section.
This is one of the most comprehensive funding packages.
Federal Aid - Loans
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Important updates:
For the first time in over 40 years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is undergoing significant changes. These changes are designed to make the federal aid application process easier and increase the eligibility for student aid.
FAFSA Simplification
The FAFSA Simplification Act will streamline the process for federal aid applicants, reducing the number of questions on the FAFSA form and providing direct data exchange with the IRS. The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) process will be updated with some of the changes from the new FAFSA that expand eligibility.
Impacts Across UC Berkeley
While financial aid applications will overall become easier for students, a new need-analysis formula will influence student aid.
Highlights of FAFSA Changes
- The FAFSA form will open sometime in December 2023 instead of on October 1. The CADAA form is also expected to be available in December.
- There will be new vocabulary and a new financial need calculation.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- Financial need will be calculated according to cost of attendance and a student’s aid index.
- All contributors (student, parent(s), and/or spouse) will need to consent to sharing information with the IRS.
- Students and contributors will need an FSA ID to submit the FAFSA.
UC Berkeley’s institution code for the FAFSA is 001312.
Please learn more here.
Deadlines (please check FAFSA for updates):
Priority: March 2, 2024 (for maximum aid)
Final: June 30, 2024
*Note: FAFSA must be filed for each academic year.
External Funding Opportunities
Many organizations offer scholarships for graduate study. Here are some outside funding opportunities to explore. This is a resource guide compiled by Berkeley Journalism to support you in looking for external scholarships. Please make sure to check with the awarding entity to determine application criteria, deadlines, award amounts and more.
Additional Funding Resources for International Students
- The Berkeley International Office is the one-stop resource for international students. The BIO counselors can answer many questions about the international students’ experience, logistics and resources.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: This scholarship fully funds students from Sub-Saharan Africa. You must submit your application for the Master of Journalism application by Round 1. Elgibile applicants will be invited to apply by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team to submit a separate application. Of the applicants nominated, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program will conduct a separate review process to select typically 1-2 candidates who applied Master of Journalism program (you must also be admitted to Master of Journalism program to be selected). Getting admitted into the Journalism School program is a separate process, and doesn't imply automatic funding. For questions about eligibility or about the Mastercard Foundation Scholarships Program, please contact their team directly at mcfs.programinfo@berkeley.edu.
THINGS TO CONSIDER AS A STUDENT
ESTABLISHING CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES
Many out-of-state students begin establishing California residency during their first years at the School in order to be eligible for in-state tuition in their second years. The Legal Residence Office website explains the steps you need to take to establish residency.
Only U.S. citizens are permitted to establish residency for in-state tuition in their second years. International students do not qualify.
WORKING ON CAMPUS
There are Academic Student Employment (ASE) opportunities for students like Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Reader (GSR), tutor and more positions on campus. Students can apply to these positions after being admitted into the program. The positions open will be determined by the departmental needs across campus. Academic Student Employment (ASE) job opportunities can be found on Berkeley People & Culture website. The compensation packages for these vary pending the department as well as the position level and time commitment. These answers would only be able to be answered by the hiring department.
Please find more information on this below.
Tuition & Cost Breakdown
For up to date tuition and fees, visit the UC Berkeley Registrar website. Scroll down on the Registrar website to see the fee table for the Journalism School in the list of professional schools. All fees listed are per semester. Please note: the fee schedule will be displaying tuition & fees for the current academic year in progress.
We also encourage you to review the Graduate Student Budget as outlined on the The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office website.
There are also anticipated additional miscellaneous costs, some of which are estimated as follows:
- Transportation for Reporting Classes: $200 to $2,000
- Documentary Production (documentary students only): $2,000-$10,000
- Equipment Costs: Variable
- Estimated Loan Fees: $244
- Course Material Fees (dependent on each course): $40-$200