The information on this webpage applies to international J.D. students only. The information does not apply to LL.M. or J.S.D. students.
University policy and visa requirements require international students to demonstrate the ability to pay their expenses through their first year. Please see our International Students page for more information on this policy.
Continuing international students may apply for limited student aid funds through the university and should contact the Berkeley International Office at the International House for additional information. Visit the International Office for more information on gift aid options, such as need-based grants, following your first year. Funding for these programs is extremely limited and should not be relied upon.
Otherwise, entering international J.D. students are considered for Berkeley Law gift aid in the same way as other entering students. See the “How to Apply for Gift Aid” section for more information.
Please see the Entering Student Scholarships and Gift Aid page for instructions.
Federal loans only available for students who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. International J.D. students may apply for private educational loans, however many lenders require a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. Citizen. However, other lenders such as Prodigy Finance, MPOWER Financing and Earnest offer loans to international students without the need for a co-signer. These lenders will have varying qualifications, loan terms and loan maximums. Students are encouraged to carefully explore all loan options available to them.
The Berkeley Law Financial Aid Office does not receive, and will not accept, inducements from lenders in exchange for inclusion on the International Loans information page, nor does the Berkeley School of Law share in the profits from student loans.
You can find additional information on Private Educational Loans on our Loans page. Apply directly with the lender of your choice. Once you apply, the lender contacts the Berkeley Law Financial Aid Office to certify the amount you are eligible to borrow.
International J.D. students working in certain types of public interest employment after graduation can use Berkeley Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program even with private student loans. Please refer to the LRAP Handbook and make an LRAP appointment to discuss further.
Gift-aid at Berkeley Law is competitive and not all applicants will receive a gift-aid offer. We encourage you to seek as much outside aid as possible. You should conduct your own research as to which scholarships are available for international students who are studying in the U.S. as well as any scholarships in your home country. The scholarships databases listed on our Outside Scholarships webpage may or may not be available to international students. When reviewing scholarships, please contact each scholarship organization directly to determine whether or not you are eligible. You may also find useful the scholarship listing on the LL.M. student financial aid website.