Tuition & Financial Aid

All applicants are automatically considered for USC Gould’s generous merit-based scholarships. No applications are required for scholarship consideration. Scholarship offer notifications are sent at the time of admission in a separate email.

Scholarship awards are based on merit and the overall strength of the application. We are committed to creating a diverse study body that reflects a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich the educational experience and in-class discourse for all students. We aim to admit and support students who demonstrate potential for success academically, personally, and professionally.

USC Gould highly encourages students to seek USC scholarships and financial support offered by foundations, government agencies, and corporations. It’s never too early to begin looking for “free money” for graduate school. Please explore the following resources:

• USC Scholarship Universe
• USC Awards and Fellowships Database
• CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor

The following student loan programs are available to USC Gould students:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan*

Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year through this loan program offered by the U.S. Department of Education. The Direct Unsubsidized Loan has a fixed interest rate. Interest begins to accrue upon disbursement.

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan*

This U.S. Department of Education student loan program enables graduate students to borrow up to the cost of attendance, less any other financial aid received. Federal Graduate PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate, and a credit check is required for approval.  Interest begins to accrue upon disbursement.

• Private Educational Loans

Like the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, these private educational loans can also cover up to the cost of attendance, less other financial aid received. One major difference is that they can have a variable interest rate determined by the lender upon review of your credit history.

*To be considered for federal loans, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be enrolled in at least 4 units each semester. USC’s FAFSA code is 001328. After completing FAFSA, admitted applicants will receive electronic notification of next steps to determine eligibility for student loans.

Note: Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans for the graduate certificates in Real Estate Law and Technology and Entrepreneurship Law are currently under review by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). If the DOE grants approval for these certificates to be considered gainful employment programs, federal student loans will become available.

USC’s Student Financial Services offers students a variety of ways to pay their bills, including but not limited to:

• USC Payment Plan

The USC Payment Plan offers students and their approved guest users an option for paying tuition, fees, and other university charges in interest-free installments over the course of the term. Students will make a down payment and three monthly installments per term.

• Sponsoring Agencies

Students who are sponsored by a university-approved company or government agency may be eligible to have all or a portion of their bills invoiced directly to the sponsoring agency. Charges paid by sponsoring agencies vary. Some pay for tuition and mandatory fees only, while others also pay expenses such as housing and dining. Most agencies do not pay for health insurance, tuition refund insurance, parking, or similar fees. It is the student’s responsibility to pay any amount not deferred by the settlement deadline and to continue to monitor their student account for changes.

• Employer Reimbursement

Some employers provide tuition reimbursement at the end of each term rather than paying for tuition upfront. Once registered, students may be eligible to defer payment of up to 90% of their tuition if their employer reimburses tuition at the end of the term.

USC supports military-connected students in their legal studies through a variety of U.S. military and veteran education benefits programs. Additionally, USC Gould is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. We offer an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon awards to eligible candidates, which can provide funding for much of their legal studies education. To learn more about military and veteran benefits, please contact the USC Veterans Certification Office.