University Services Fee
Visiting Scholar (VS) and Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) resources and services are supported by the University Services Fee (USF). This fee facilitates access to UC Berkeley's world-class facilities and comprehensive resources, including access to an official Berkeley email account and calendar, libraries, building/facility entry, campus shuttle services, university, and various VSPA career and professional development, social, academic, and recreational programs, and more. The VSPA University Services Fee is separate from any host departmental and/or Berkeley International Office fees.
The University Services Fee is paid, either by the university sponsoring unit or the scholar themselves. The fee corresponds with the dates of the appointment and is valid for up to one year. This annual fee is not prorated. If the campus unit or faculty sponsor agrees to request a reappointment past the initial first year, a renewal USF will be due.
Visiting Scholars
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.
Visiting Student Researchers
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.
How to Pay the USF
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, 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). Note: Departments may not use a Blucard; payment must be made using an IOF.
Refund of the USF
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, with the VS or VSR's full name, the name of the host unit, and the reason for the cancellation.
VSPA Summer Research Internship Fee
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 on the SPO website.