We highly value diversity in our cohorts and encourage qualified international students to apply to our program. For every international student accepted, our department puts every effort into putting together an attractive funding package. However, as both the University and the Department of Sociology have limited resources to support incoming students, we strongly encourage students to apply for outside fellowship support. Many international students have successfully financed every year of their graduate study through a combination of departmental and university-level funds, extramural fellowships, awards from their countries, and departmental employment.
To find out more detailed information regarding fellowships and financial aid at UC Berkeley, we suggest looking on the Graduate Division website: http://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/index.shtml
To find out more information on how to finance your graduate career, you can see if there’s an EducationUSA center in your home country. EducationUSA is supported by the U.S. Department of State, with over 400 advising centers set up around the globe to help you learn more about the American higher education system. Often they are aware of fellowship opportunities available in your home country or through other organizations which will help fund your study in the U.S..
Below is a list of fellowships that we encourage international students apply to before coming to the United States:
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this program brings students of other countries to the United States to study for Master’s or Ph.D. study at U.S. universities. Funding usually covers one year of study with stipend for living expenses and university fees.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Amount: Maximum of $12,500 annually
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund is for female graduate students pursuing full time study in the US or Canada who have at least one full year of their program remaining and promise to return to their home country upon completing their degree. Several UC Berkeley graduate students have received this renewable scholarship in the past.
Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar
Grants are awarded to support research that increases the understanding and amelioration of urgent problems of violence, aggression, and dominance in the modern world. The foundation is particularly interested in these problems in relation to social change; the socialization of children, intergroup conflict, drug trafficking and use, and family relationships; as well as the control of aggression and violence. Grants up to $15,000 to $75,000 per year for periods of one or two years.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowships
57 fellowships will be awarded for full-time study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate study at accredited institutions are supported.
International Graduate Student Parent Grant
All registered international graduate students who have a child living with them in the Bay Area are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded based on financial need and changes in the applicant's financial situation. Applications are accepted during the Graduate Student Financial Aid application period.
When you apply for admission to the Department, you are automatically considered for The Gateway Fellowship Program at the International House at UC Berkeley.
Eltoukhy East-West Gateway Fellowship
The Eltoukhy East-West Gateway Fellowship provides first year or continuing doctoral students free room and board free room and board at International House for the academic year as well as fees and tuition from the student's department and a $5,000 stipend. Priority is given to students affiliated with Egypt or other countries of the Middle East.
EWJ Gateway Fellowship
Established in 2004, this fellowship aims to increase the number of international students at Berkeley and supports incoming or continuing doctoral students pursuing studies in any academic field of study. Support includes free room and board at International House for the academic year as well as fees and tuition from the student's department and a $5,000 stipend.
Adrian Hao Yin Ü Gateway Fellowship
This fund will support incoming doctoral students giving the highest priority to students who are graduates of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. If there is no such qualified recipient in a given year, the preference will be given to graduates from universities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or China. Support includes free room and board at International House for the academic year as well as fees and tuition from the student's department and a $5,000 stipend.