University Services Fee

University Services Fee

The University Services Fee (USF) supports the onboarding and continued access to services for all Visiting Scholars (VS) and Visiting Student Researchers (VSR) at UC Berkeley.

This fee helps cover the administrative processes required to establish an appointment, such as system setup, stipend coordination (when applicable), and compliance review. It also provides access to a wide range of campus resources, including a Berkeley email account and calendar, library privileges, building and facility access, campus shuttles, and participation in programs offered by the Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) office. These programs include career development workshops, academic and social events, and recreational opportunities.

The USF is separate from any fees charged by the scholar’s host department or the Berkeley International Office (BIO). It covers the full duration of the appointment (up to one year) and is not prorated. The fee may be paid by the sponsoring UC Berkeley department or directly by the scholar. If the appointment is renewed beyond one year, the USF must be paid again to maintain access to university services.

For more information or payment instructions, please contact the VSPA office at vspa@berkeley.edu.

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

A refund of the USF may be requested if an appointment is canceled with VSPA before the Visiting Scholar (VS) or Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) arrives on campus. Additionally, the appointment must not be active in UCPath in order to be eligible for a refund.

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

To support faculty with sponsored projects involving summer research internships, the VSPA offers a reduced University Services Fee (USF) of $500 per intern for qualifying programs. This reduced fee is intended for:

  • High school student interns

  • Undergraduate student interns

  • K–12 teacher interns

Interns must be participating in on-campus research activities for three months or less during the summer.

Important Notes:

  • Advance approval from the VSPA is required to receive the reduced fee.

  • This program is not intended to reduce the USF for standard Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs) visiting during the summer.

  • To be eligible for the reduced fee program, the faculty sponsor must be applying for a sponsored grant through the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO) that will cover the USF.

For more information on how to apply and obtain approval, visit the Summer Research Internship Fee page on the SPO website. Be sure to review the program criteria and scholar eligibility requirements for full details.