All incoming first-year students are automatically considered for merit scholarships, with more than 95 percent receiving some form of support. The average scholarship award is $43,000, with a range of awards between $10,000 and full tuition.
All scholarship offers are made before you enter USC Gould and are guaranteed for all three years of law school as long as you maintain full-time enrollment. Our scholarships ensure you have a clear understanding of the entire cost of your USC Gould legal education before you take your first class.
Scholarship awards are based on merit and the overall strength of the application. We are committed to a student body that reflects a wide range of backgrounds and experiences as the resulting broadened scope of views benefits all. We want to support students who will thrive and excel, not just academically but also personally and professionally.
USC Gould School of Law, along with the generous assistance of its alumni, has established a Need-based Grant program for incoming JD students. This grant program is intended for incoming students who have no options, outside of their USC Gould Scholarship and student loans, for financing their legal education at Gould. It is our goal to award grants which will result in a direct reduction to the student loans these students would otherwise be borrowing to finance law school. Students who fit this description are strongly encouraged to apply. A separate application is usually made available in March, and only after having been admitted for the upcoming academic year.
USC Gould is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you meet the specified criteria and your enrollment is confirmed by the USC Veterans Certification Office, you may be able to earn up to a full-tuition award via a combination of veterans benefits and USC Gould assistance.
H.R . 1: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, introducing changes to certain federal student aid programs, including the Federal Direct Loan program. Along with the USC Financial Aid Office, we are actively reviewing the legislation to understand its implications for our students. Guidance and updates, including the timeline for implementation and any mandated actions will be shared on the USC Financial Aid Office page and via email communication from our office as more information becomes available from the U.S. Department of Education and other relevant authorities.
Planning to borrow federal student loans – what you should know:
As a prospective graduate/professional student, effective July 1, 2026, you should expect the following as it pertains to borrowing federal student loans:
Note: You will be considered a professional student if admitted and enrolled in the USC Gould Juris Doctor program, and thus subject to the professional student caps.
Private Educational Loans:
If you anticipate needing additional student loan funds to supplement any Federal Direct Loan eligibility, you might consider a private educational loan. Private loan programs are based on the credit-worthiness of the borrower and/or co-borrower. Currently, it is acceptable to jointly borrow federal and private educational loans to finance your education. As with federal student loans, the total amount of all financial aid you are receiving, including private loans, cannot exceed the total cost of attendance as set by the University. Please visit https://financialaid.usc.edu/loans/ to learn more about private student loan financing at USC.
USC Gould offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to assist graduates pursuing careers in public service and public interest law. You may be eligible to receive an LRAP loan or loan forgiveness, depending on your circumstances.
USC Gould has partnered with AccessLex Institute®, the largest nonprofit organization in the country focusing on access, affordability and the value of legal education, to bring you MAX by AccessLex®, an innovative personal finance program created exclusively for law students. Available at no cost to you or our law school, MAX drives the knowledge gain and behavior change essential to improving your financial well-being. Our goal is to help you gain the knowledge, skills, and habits to support your financial and overall well-being.
