G1. Financial Support and Recruitment
Updated: May 11th, 2012
Well-planned programs of financial support are some of the most effective recruitment and retention tools available to departments. The key to a successful funding strategy for both departments and individual students is to use as many of the University’s resources as possible, rather than to rely on one or two traditional forms of support.
Departments are encouraged to plan “packages” of financial assistance, especially for newly admitted students. By offering several years of support — for example, two years of fellowship support (multi-year, block award, traineeship, or departmentally restricted fellowships) and subsequent years of Graduate Student Instructor or Graduate Student Researcher appointments — Berkeley can continue to attract the most outstanding students.
Students are encouraged to be aggressive in their search for funds. The Graduate Division website (www.grad.berkeley.edu) provides much useful information. Graduate Fellowships often offers workshops explaining certain fellowships. The workshops will be announced via email, the eGrad Newsletter or the Graduate Division Calendar. The students who are most successful in finding support tend to be those who investigate the many types of financial assistance available and apply for all the programs for which they are eligible.
Graduate advisers and assistants should inform students that some of the available funding is based on need. To be eligible for awards, including block awards, students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
See All Topics in the Category: G. Financial Assistance, Guide to Graduate Policy
