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Sswprofee Faq
Sswprofee Faq
2. What portion of the school’s budget will the fee’s revenue represent?
The fee will earn $400,000 in the first year and $800,000 each year after that. In the first
year, $132,000 or more must be used for fellowships ($264,000 in subsequent years). This
leaves $268,000 for other expenses for the 2010-2011 school year ($536,000 thereafter).
Compared to the school’s 2007-2008 budget (the most recent year publicly available), this
represents about 1% of the budget for 2010-2011, and 2% for each following year.
3. Who will be affected by the PDF and how much will it increase the cost of getting an
MSW for CA residents and non-residents?
MSW students beginning in the Fall of 2010 would be charged the PDF. Currently enrolled
students will not have to pay a PDF. California residents could be paying as much as
$19,450 per year before living expenses, and non-residents $33,000 (includes proposed
system-wide fee increases). If taken out as a typical federal student loan paid over 10 years
at 6.8%, the fee becomes a burden of $5,525 per year of school.
4. What portion of a student’s overall cost of attendance will the fee represent?
According to UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division, the expected student budget for 2009-2010
(before living expenses, books, etc.) is $9,300.00, or $9,900 with the expected spring 2010
fee increase. The PDF represents nearly half of regular graduate student fees.
8. What other types of programs charge a PDF and how much are they?
Both the law and business schools at UCB charge a PDF of approximately $25,000. The
School of Optometry charges a PDF of $12,018. The School of Public Health and the School
of Public Policy both charge PDFs of less than $5,000.
9. When compared to expected future earnings for California Social Workers, how
does the PDF measure up?
These calculations do not take into account the other fees and expenses associated with a
graduate education. The standard accepted threshold at which students loans would create
economic hardship is 15% of income (www.finaid.org). Only those social workers in the
90th percentile of salaries will not experience economic hardship from repaying the PDF
alone.
10. Has a decision been made about the PDF at UCB’s Graduate School of Social
Welfare?
A proposal to institute a fee of $4000 was submitted to the UC Board of Regents in
September, one month ahead of schedule. The Graduate School of Social Welfare must
submit a strategic plan to the Board of Regents outlining how the revenue of the fee will be
used.
11. How can I be part of the conversation about whether a PDF is introduced?
Prospective and current students, alumni, and other parties concerned about the PDF are all
welcome to contact the School of Social Welfare about their concerns and any suggestions
of alternatives for the PDF. For more information about the current conversation
happening around this issue, see contact information below.