UC Berkeley Scholarships 2027: Funding for International Students in USA

Organiser	University of California, Berkeley
Host Country	United States
Location	Berkeley, California
Level of Study	Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Funding	Need-based and fully funded scholarships, fellowships, employment packages
Deadline	Varies; Undergraduate: Nov 30, 2026; Graduate: Sep 2026 – Jan 2027

The University of California, Berkeley offers a range of prestigious scholarships for international students enrolling in undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs for the 2027 academic year. These scholarships provide financial support, including need-based grants, full tuition coverage, living expenses, and additional benefits to outstanding students from around the world. International undergraduates are automatically considered for the highly esteemed Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship and other dedicated international awards without requiring a separate scholarship application.

For African students pursuing eligible master’s degrees, the fully funded Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides extensive support covering tuition, fees, housing, travel, and more. Doctoral candidates receive tailored funding packages from individual departments combining fellowships, teaching or research appointments, and health benefits.

A key consideration for international undergraduates is that they are generally not eligible for federal or state financial aid but can benefit from specific institutional scholarships designed for them. This guide explains the main scholarship options, eligibility, application processes, and benefits to help you navigate the opportunities at UC Berkeley.

• Fully Funded Scholarships in the USA
• Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships in the USA
• Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships
• Fully Funded PhD Scholarships

UC Berkeley Scholarships Summary

• Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
• Institution: University of California, Berkeley
• Location: Berkeley, California, United States
• Funding: Need-based and fully funded scholarships, fellowships, and employment packages
• Application Deadline: Varies by program and scholarship (see below)
• Fields of Study: Wide range including engineering, sciences, business, social sciences, law, public health, and more

The three scholarships covered in this guide are:

1. UC Berkeley International Undergraduate Scholarships
2. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
3. UC Berkeley PhD Funding Packages

UC Berkeley Scholarships Deadline

Scholarship deadlines at UC Berkeley vary according to the level of study and specific programme. Undergraduate scholarships are tied to the general admission application timeline, while graduate scholarships and funding packages have separate deadlines depending on the department and scholarship.

Undergraduate Scholarships Deadline

For Fall 2027 admission, the University of California application period runs from October 1 to November 30, 2026, with the final deadline on November 30, 2026. There is no separate deadline for the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship or other international undergraduate scholarships, as applicants are automatically considered through their admission application.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Deadline

Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the master’s level generally open in September and close by early January, with most deadlines falling in December. Applicants should apply in the first admission round for programmes with multiple rounds to remain eligible.

PhD Funding Packages Deadline

Graduate applications open on September 24, 2026, for Fall 2027 admission. Each doctoral department sets its own deadline, usually between September and early January, often in December. Funding consideration is part of the admission process, so it is crucial to apply by the programme’s deadline.

UC Berkeley Scholarship Coverage

UC Berkeley International Undergraduate Scholarships

International undergraduates admitted to Berkeley are automatically evaluated for these institutional scholarships, which provide a combination of need-based grants, academic support, and additional benefits.

• Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship: Minimum US$2,500 per year, renewable for up to eight semesters (four for transfers), need-based support up to full assessed need.
• Guaranteed on-campus housing during scholarship tenure.
• Priority course enrollment and faculty mentorship.
• Up to US$1,000 for approved research or professional development.
• International Leaders Scholarship: Need-based support for up to four years, prioritizing students from Peru but open internationally.
• Robinson International Scholars Program: Need-based scholarships for refugees/stateless or graduates from Sub-Saharan African or developing countries, renewable for four years.
• Swaniker Scholars Program: Need-based funding up to the full cost of attendance for outstanding African students, including academic and professional support.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

This is a fully funded scholarship for African students pursuing eligible master’s programmes at Berkeley, providing comprehensive financial and academic support.

• Full tuition and student fees.
• Housing, food, and living expenses.
• Travel to Berkeley, visa fees, and SEVIS fees.
• Leadership, entrepreneurship, academic, social, and career development support.
• Paid internships in Africa with travel and stipend support for students in programmes longer than two semesters.
• Eligible master’s fields include business, education, engineering, law, public health, social welfare, and more.

UC Berkeley PhD Funding Packages

PhD students receive financial support from their academic departments through customized packages that may include:

• Fellowships such as Berkeley or Chancellor’s Fellowships.
• Graduate Student Researcher or Instructor appointments with salary.
• Tuition and fee remission.
• Health-care benefits and research funding.
• Typically coverage of Nonresident Supplemental Tuition for international students.

Eligibility Criteria for UC Berkeley Scholarships

Applicants must meet both the university’s admission requirements and the specific criteria for each scholarship. Meeting eligibility does not guarantee an award, as selection is competitive.

Undergraduate Scholarship Eligibility

• Completion of secondary school with a qualification allowing university admission in the home country.
• Fulfillment of University of California subject requirements.
• Strong academic record with a minimum 3.4 GPA in required subjects for non-resident applicants (higher competitiveness expected).
• English proficiency where required.
• Submission of a complete UC application.

Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship Eligibility

• Automatic consideration for all Berkeley applicants including international, first-year, and transfer students.
• Selection based on academic excellence, leadership, creativity, service, and potential contributions.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Eligibility

• Citizenship of an African country.
• Application to an eligible master’s programme at Berkeley.
• Strong academic performance and leadership potential.

PhD Funding Eligibility

Eligibility for funding is determined by the academic department along with admission. Applicants should consult specific programmes for detailed criteria.

How to Apply for UC Berkeley Scholarships?

The application procedures differ by scholarship type. Undergraduate scholarships are linked to the admissions application, while graduate scholarships require separate or concurrent applications depending on the programme.

How to Apply for the UC Berkeley International Undergraduate Scholarships?

1. Complete and submit the University of California application between October 1 and November 30, 2026.
2. Ensure all academic, standardized testing, and English proficiency requirements are met.
3. No separate scholarship application is required; eligible students will be automatically considered.
4. Monitor admission status and scholarship notifications through Berkeley portals.

How to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

1. Identify and apply to an eligible master’s programme at UC Berkeley by the programme’s deadline, typically in the first admission round.
2. Submit the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program application during the application window (September to early January).
3. Provide all required documents demonstrating academic and leadership qualifications.
4. Await scholarship decision alongside admission results.

How to Apply for the UC Berkeley PhD Funding Packages?

1. Apply directly to the desired doctoral programme through the graduate application portal before the departmental deadline.
2. Indicate interest in financial support if prompted.
3. Departments will assess applicants for admission and funding based on submitted materials.
4. Review the Financial Support and Employment Funding Letter after admission for details.

Documents Required for UC Berkeley Scholarships

Required documents vary by scholarship and programme but generally include academic transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency. Additional materials may be requested depending on the scholarship.

UC Berkeley International Undergraduate Scholarships Documents

1. Completed University of California application.
2. Academic transcripts and certificates.
3. Standardized test scores if required.
4. English proficiency test results (TOEFL, IELTS) if applicable.
5. Personal insight questions and other application materials as specified by UC.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Documents

1. Graduate application to an eligible master’s programme.
2. Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
3. Letters of recommendation demonstrating leadership and academic ability.
4. Proof of citizenship from an African country.
5. Statement of purpose or essays as required.

PhD Funding Packages Documents

1. Graduate application materials as required by the department.
2. Academic transcripts and CV.
3. Letters of recommendation.
4. Research proposal or statement of purpose.
5. Any additional departmental documents requested for funding consideration.

Website

For the most accurate and detailed information, prospective applicants should visit the official scholarship and admissions pages of UC Berkeley.

• UC Berkeley International Student Requirements
• University of California Application Portal
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Berkeley
• UC Berkeley Graduate Program Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

Are international undergraduate students eligible for federal financial aid at UC Berkeley?

No, international undergraduates are generally not eligible for federal or state financial aid but can access specific UC Berkeley institutional scholarships designed for international students.

Do I need to submit a separate application for the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship?

No, all admitted students are automatically considered for this scholarship based on their regular admission application.

Which master’s programs qualify for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

The scholarship covers selected master’s degrees in fields such as business, education, engineering, law, public health, social welfare, and others as listed on the program’s official website.

Is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program available to students outside Africa?

No, this program specifically supports academically talented students who are citizens of African countries.

How is PhD funding awarded at Berkeley?

PhD funding is provided by individual departments through fellowships, research or teaching appointments, and other financial support as part of the admission process.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at UC Berkeley?

Yes, international undergraduates may be considered for several institutional scholarships simultaneously, while graduate applicants should follow specific scholarship application requirements.

Does the Regents’ & Chancellor’s Scholarship cover the full cost of attendance?

The scholarship provides need-based support which can cover up to the full cost of attendance depending on the recipient’s assessed financial need.

Software Engineer & Scholarship Consultant with extensive experience guiding international students through competitive scholarship applications.

Software Engineer and Scholarship Consultant at Scholarship Roar, focusing on international student mobility, funding strategies, and academic opportunities worldwide.

Reviewed by Muhammad Faizan, PhD Researcher · Last verified June 2024 · All information is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sourced directly from official UC Berkeley scholarship resources.