UC Berkeley is one of the world’s top public universities, but as a public institution its financial aid for international undergraduates is limited. Most federal, state and many university scholarships are reserved for US citizens and permanent residents. Here is what international students can realistically expect.
Last checked: October 2026. Confirm with Berkeley International Office and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
Undergraduates
- No federal or state aid for students on F-1 or J-1 visas.
- Limited university scholarships: some are open to international students but are very competitive. Search Berkeley’s Scholarship Connection database and filter for options open to other visa statuses.
- Plan to self-fund most costs, or bring outside scholarships from your home country or international foundations.
Graduate Students
- Contact your department and the Graduate Fellowships Office first.
- Many PhD programmes offer funding packages with teaching or research appointments.
- Fellowships open to international students exist but are competitive.
Loans and Emergency Help
Berkeley offers some loan options for international students, such as interest-free long-term and short-term emergency loans. These must be repaid.
Better Options If You Need Full Aid
If you need substantial aid for undergraduate study, consider private universities that meet full need for international students, such as MIT, Yale and Harvard, and external funding such as Fulbright for graduate study.
