University Services Fee

The fee for the initial first year for visiting scholars is $750. For a consecutive 2nd year, the fee is $1500. A 12-month break in between appointments reverts the reappointment fee to the 1st-year fee of $750.

The fee for the initial first year for visiting student researchers is $1000. For a consecutive 2nd year, the fee is $2500. A 12-month break in between appointments reverts the reappointment fee to the 1st-year rate of $1000.

There are only two available payment methods. If the scholar is covering the fee, they must pay online by credit card. If the faculty sponsor is covering the fee, they must use an internal payment form. If the scholar is unable to pay the fee, the faculty sponsor must cover it on their behalf. Any reimbursement arrangements between the scholar and their sponsor can be made upon the scholar’s arrival on campus.

Scholar Pays the Fee: Credit Card Payment:
Scholars (VS or VSR) can pay the University Services Fee (USF) by credit card through the VSPA online payment system, STOVA,(link is external) which accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. For successful payment, please ensure the billing address entered matches the one associated with the credit card.

Faculty Sponsor Pays the Fee: UC Berkeley Internal Departmental Form:
Sponsoring units can pay the USF through the VSPA Interdepartmental Order Form (IOF) (PDF file). Note: Departments may not use a Blucard; payment must be made using an IOF.

There may be a need to request a refund of the USF if an appointment is canceled before the VS or VSR arrives on campus. To request a refund of the USF, send an email to vspa@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail), with the VS or VSR's full name, the name of the host unit, and the reason for the cancellation.

The VSPA has a reduced USF to assist faculty that have sponsored projects that involve high school student interns, undergraduate student interns and/or K-12 teacher interns in on-campus, research activities for three months or less during the summer. The USF for qualifying interns is $500 per intern. Approval for the reduced fee must be obtained in advance from the VSPA. For details of how to obtain approval, visit the Summer Research Internship Fee Page(link is external) on the SPO website.