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Student Funding

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are assessed each semester by the Office of the Registrar.

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Graduate Student Funding

Each year Berkeley Social Welfare directly awards or administers approximately two million dollars in support to graduate students through fellowships, grants-in-aid, and stipend-based training programs. Most graduate students also easily qualify for federal student aid. At Berkeley, 90% of all graduate students receive some form of financial support (including loans).

Click on the links below to explore the variety of financial support opportunities available throughout your graduate career:

  • Achievement Awards and Prizes
    These annual cash awards recognizing student achievement and distinction are presented each spring semester at the annual Haviland Scholars Day Awards and Recognition ceremony.
  • Child Welfare Training Fellowships
    Stipend-based training program for MSW students pursuing a career in public child welfare.
  • Departmental Graduate Fellowships
    Departmental graduate fellowships are open to all Berkeley Social Welfare graduate students.
  • Doctoral Student Support
    Information about and resources for doctoral student funding.
  • ​Extramural Awards
    Extramural awards are made from a variety of outside funding sources, including government agencies; professional and alumni organizations; private foundations; and corporations. Many Berkeley Social Welfare students have been successful at securing extramural funding through additional university, public, and privately-sponsored fellowships.
  • Field-based Stipend Programs for MSW Students
    Stipend-based training programs provide support for eligible MSW students in certain fields of study. Some field-based stipend programs are offered in exchange for a contractually obligated, post-graduation employment commitment for a specified time period.
  • Financial Aid: Student Loan and Work-Study Programs
    Information on eligibility and applying for federal student aid; loan forgiveness programs; short-term emergency loans; and Work-Study programs.
  • Funding Sources for the Social Sciences
    Resources from the Social Research Library to search for fellowships and funding sources for research in the social sciences.
  • Graduate Division Fellowships and Awards
    Graduate fellowship programs administered by UC Berkeley Graduate Division.
  • Graduate Student Academic Employment
    Information about graduate student academic appointments.
  • Professional Development Awards
    Support for graduate students presenting at conferences, or participating in a professional development activity.
  • Support for Student Parents
    Programs, resources and services for graduate student parents with family care obligations.

Financing Your Graduate Education | Financial FAQ

Resources for Current Students

Berkeley Social Welfare offers a variety of advising resources to help guide students through their academic program, the Berkeley campus and into the world of social work. The following web resources are frequently accessed by current Social Welfare students.

Student Life

The students of Berkeley Social Welfare actively shape the community within the School and University by participating in student-led organizations and events.

Join Berkeley Social Welfare

The School of Social Welfare Admissions Office guides prospective graduate applicants via online resources, in-person and phone advising, group presentations and recruitment events. Find out more about Berkeley Social Welfare’s application requirements and admission process.

The School of Social Welfare is a place that brings together people with some incredible aspirations and connects them with knowledgeable, profound professors and incredible staff.

- James Orlando (MSW ’11),
Berkeley Social Welfare Alumni

Academic Programs

Berkeley Social Welfare trains our students for a range of leadership, research, teaching and practice roles in the profession. Students are prepared to practice at specific intervention levels and are thoroughly grounded in the knowledge of social and psychological concerns, social welfare policies and social service organizations.

The collaborative opportunities both within and outside the School of Social Welfare are outstanding, the academic environment is rich and challenging and the location can't be beat.

- Aron Shlonsky (PhD ’02),
Berkeley Social Welfare alumni

Field Education

As students develop their applied mastery in one of over 350 carefully selected field placements, Berkeley Social Welfare field education consultants provide them with individualized assessment, support and coaching throughout their academic journey.

My internships at the School helped me realize that I had the skills to be a leader, a manager and a systems-thinker. I learned as much about myself at UC Berkeley as I did about social welfare.

- Ericka Leer (MSW ’05),
Berkeley Social Welfare alumna

Research

UC Berkeley’s world-class faculty and research units can be leveraged to conduct studies that make a difference. Berkeley Social Welfare faculty lead a number of research units, and the School houses the California Child Welfare Indicators Project and the California Social Work Education Center. To learn more about the important work and cutting-edge research taking place at the School of Social Welfare, explore our specialized Research Areas and Research Units.

Programs

Berkeley Social Welfare houses several programs designed to provide educational and training opportunities to social work students and professionals; contribute impactful research informing service delivery; and foster relationships among institutions, students and service providers in California, the United States and throughout the globe. 

 

People

The UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare's pre-eminent faculty rank top in the nation in per capita productivity. Nationally and internationally recognized as leaders in their fields, our senate faculty conducts cutting-edge research on the major issues facing California, the US and the world. Berkeley Social Welfare field faculty represent a diversity of experience and talents, training and preparing our students to excel as the next generation of social work practitioners, professionals and educators. 

People

The UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare's pre-eminent faculty rank top in the nation in per capita productivity. Nationally and internationally recognized as leaders in their fields, our senate faculty conducts cutting-edge research on the major issues facing California, the US and the world. Berkeley Social Welfare field faculty represent a diversity of experience and talents, training and preparing our students to excel as the next generation of social work practitioners, professionals and educators. 

Resources and Forms

Resources available to Berkeley Social Welfare students, faculty and staff. Forms for purchase, entertainment and travel reimbursements; honorarium requests; and recommendations-to-hire.

For Students

Academic forms, petitions, handbooks and funding information for students.