Student Financial Support and Employment

Funding Packages for Admitted Students 

Students admitted to the Rhetoric PhD program receive a five-year funding package, as outlined in each student’s official funding offer. The package covers applicable tuition, required fees, and student health insurance. During the fall and spring semesters, students receive support either through Student Financial Support as a fellowship or through employment as a Graduate Student Instructor. The package also includes summer support. 

Academic Student Employment

Graduate Student Instructor appointments in Rhetoric are typically 50% appointments, or an average of 20 hours per week over the course of the semester. GSIs may lead discussion sections for upper-division lecture courses or teach Reading and Composition courses.

Reader positions may also be available within the undergraduate program. Appointment percentages and responsibilities vary according to the course and instructional need and generally include grading papers and examinations.

Graduate Student Researcher positions may occasionally be available through faculty research grants. These appointments are arranged by the faculty member directing the research and are separate from the department’s standard funding structure.

Academic Student Employee and Graduate Student Researcher appointments are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between the University of California and UAW, as well as current Graduate Division policy.

Teaching Requirements 

Rhetoric PhD students are required to serve as a Graduate Student Instructor for at least two years. Students are required to begin teaching no later than their second year, although they may begin in their first year. When possible, students should avoid teaching during the semester in which they take the Qualifying Examination.

Students must complete Rhetoric 375 or an approved equivalent 300-level pedagogy course prior to or during the first semester of their first GSI appointment.

Students whose initial pedagogy course did not include preparation for teaching Reading and Composition must complete an approved R&C pedagogy course prior to or concurrently with teaching an R&C course.

First-time GSIs must also complete all applicable campus teaching preparation and orientation requirements, including the Teaching Conference for First-Time GSIs, the GSI Professional Standards and Ethics Online Course, and the New ASE Orientation led by the UAW.


Eligibility for Academic Employment

Graduate students holding academic appointments must meet current Graduate Division eligibility requirements, including registration and enrollment requirements and satisfactory academic progress. Students holding GSI appointments must also satisfy applicable oral English proficiency requirements.

During the academic year, graduate student academic appointments are normally limited to 50% time. Appointments exceeding 50% require approval in accordance with current Graduate Division policy.

Current students should consult the Graduate Student Academic Appointments Handbook for complete appointment eligibility requirements, limits on service in teaching titles, fee-remission eligibility, and exception procedures.

GSI Opportunities for Students Outside Rhetoric

Graduate students from other UC Berkeley programs who meet Graduate Division eligibility requirements may be considered for Rhetoric GSI positions when openings are available, including positions in Reading and Composition courses.

To be considered for the following academic year, please submit the following materials as a single PDF attachment to rfahgradadvising@berkeley.edu by March 1:

  • A cover letter describing your previous teaching experience
  • A current CV or résumé

Appointments depend on instructional need and completion of all applicable University and Graduate Division hiring requirements.

UC Berkeley Fellowships and Funding Resources of Particular Interest to Rhetoric Students

The following UC Berkeley fellowships and funding resources may be particularly relevant to Rhetoric graduate students. Eligibility, award amounts, deadlines, and application procedures may change from year to year. Students should consult the linked program pages for current information. 

  • UC Berkeley Graduate Fellowships, Grants and Awards: Graduate Division maintains information about University-administered and external fellowships, grants, research awards, travel funding, and other opportunities available to Berkeley graduate students.
  • Division of Arts & Humanities Graduate Student Fellowships and Grants: A curated list of fellowships, grants, research awards, travel funding, and other opportunities relevant to graduate students in the arts and humanities.
  • Graduate Division Conference Travel Grants: Supports eligible doctoral students presenting their work at professional conferences, as well as certain professional development activities. Students should review Graduate Division's current eligibility requirements, award information, and application deadlines.
  • Summer Dissertation Writing Grants for Advanced Arts and Humanities Students: Supports eligible advanced doctoral students in the arts and humanities and humanistic social sciences with summer funding for focused dissertation writing. Students should review Graduate Division's current eligibility requirements, program expectations, and application deadline.
  • Tuition Support for External Fellowships: Graduate Division may provide tuition and fee support for recipients of certain external fellowships. Eligibility and the level of support depend on the fellowship and current Graduate Division policy.
  • Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship: Supports eligible graduate students with strong academic records and demonstrated financial need. Applicants should consult Graduate Division for current eligibility requirements and application information.
  • Global, International & Area Studies (GIAS) Fellowships and Grants: GIAS offers research fellowships and grants for UC Berkeley graduate students conducting research in international and area studies. Additional opportunities are available through individual GIAS units.
  • Mabelle McLeod Lewis Fellowship: Supports advanced doctoral candidates in the humanistic disciplines who are completing their dissertations.
  • Townsend Dissertation Fellowships: Supports advanced UC Berkeley doctoral students whose dissertation research significantly involves humanistic material or problems bearing on the humanities.
  • UC Humanities Research Institute Grants: UC-wide funding opportunities for graduate students in the humanities and humanistic social sciences. Programs may include dissertation research support for travel, research materials, and relevant summer institutes.
  • Berkeley International Office Financial Assistance: Berkeley International Office provides financial assistance information and resources for international students, including need-based support for eligible graduate students experiencing unexpected changes in their financial circumstances.
  • Support for Student Parents and Caregivers: Graduate Division provides information about financial support, academic accommodations, and other resources for eligible graduate student parents and caregivers, including Student Parent and Student Caregiver Grants.
  • UC President’s Pre-Professoriate Fellowship: Supports eligible doctoral students interested in pursuing careers in the professoriate. Students should review Graduate Division's current eligibility and nomination requirements.
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Provides opportunities for eligible graduate students to undertake research, graduate study, or teaching abroad. UC Berkeley Graduate Division coordinates the campus application process.


Fellowship Databases and Search Tools

Students are encouraged to search broadly for external funding opportunities related to their research interests and stage of study.

Selected External Fellowships

The following external fellowships may be relevant to Rhetoric PhD students depending on their research area, stage of study, and individual eligibility. Students should consult the sponsoring organization for current eligibility requirements, deadlines, and award information.