Financial Aid Resources - Juris Doctor (JD)
USC Gould School of Law

USC Gould Scholarships

All incoming first-year students are automatically considered for scholarships, with more than 95 percent receiving some form of support. The average scholarship award is $37,000, 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 diversity in our student body, 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.

No single factor determines whether a scholarship award will be made. If you believe our offer is not competitive with that of a peer institution, and you truly desire to enroll at USC Gould, please give us the opportunity to reconsider our subsidy level. While we will not enter a bidding competition, we are happy to consider revising our scholarship offer.

We offer several special scholarship opportunities, including full rides with guaranteed summer employment. Learn more about our Rothman Scholars, Public Interest Scholars and Honors Scholars.

Veterans Education Benefits/Yellow Ribbon Program

USC Gould is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement 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.

Student Loans

USC Gould participates in several federal, low-interest loan programs for our students:

• Federal Stafford Loan: Graduate/professional students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in low-interest loans offered the U.S. Department of Education. Direct Stafford Loans have a fixed interest rate, and repayment begins six months after graduation. You are responsible for interest that accrues while you are enrolled. You have the option of making interest payments or having the interest added to the principal at repayment.
• Federal Graduate PLUS Loan: This program enables you 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. Note that this is an unsubsidized loan, meaning interest begins to accrue upon disbursement and is the borrower's responsibility. Payments of principal and interest can be deferred while you are enrolled at USC Gould. Repayment begins six months after graduation.
• Private Educational Loans: Like the Federal PLUS Loan, these private educational loans can also cover amounts up to the cost of attendance, less other financial aid received. One major difference is that they have a variable interest rate determined by the lender upon review of your credit history. We encourage you to contact the USC Gould Financial Aid Office to help you weigh the pros and cons of these loans.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

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.

DACA Resources

Two comprehensive resources are available for students with an undocumented status:

• The College Board Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students
• Financial Resources for DACA Students Compiled by the West Coast Consortium of Private Law Schools (WCC)

MAX by AccessLex

We are pleased to announce we have 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.

• Check out the Scholarship Databank. It is never too early to begin looking for “free money” for next year.
• Once admitted, register for your free account at AskEDNA.AccessLex.org,
• During law school, utilize a financial coach with MAX Coaching to discuss your personal financial goals.