New Program Builds on UC Berkeley Plan to Cover Tuition for In-State Native American Students

When Berkeley Law Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Kristin Theis-Alvarez heard about the University of California system’s plan to cover tuition and student service fees(opens in a new tab) for in-state students enrolled in federally recognized Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native tribes, she was elated: Creating a pathway to law school for Native American students has been a passion-driven project of hers(opens in a new tab) for years. 

But Theis-Alvarez (who most students and others call Dean Alvarez) also immediately knew Berkeley Law needed to do more, because the Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) makes up the bulk of law students’ costs: $21,334 per semester for in-state residents this academic year, on top of the $5,721 tuition per semester. All UC professional school students pay PDST, which is set by the UC Regents.

“We agreed with the University Office of the President that it’s important to make this education accessible, but we also immediately recognized that PDST would remain a significant impediment. Doing nothing to address this reality wouldn’t be in keeping with the spirit of the Native American Opportunity Plan,” Theis-Alvarez says. “We felt the only way to honor the intention was for Berkeley Law to also offset PDST.” 

This piece originally appeared at Berkeley Law. Republished by Native News Online with permission. READ MORE