Financial Aid Information
Tuition and fees for the 2006-07 academic year are $19,736 per semester, including mandatory health, student government, and activity fees. Resident and nonresident students pay the same tuition. Rates for tuition and fees are set annually and are subject to change.
**Please note, this information is for J.D. applicants. Click here to visit our graduate and international programs web site.
Financial Aid
USC Law provides several options to students seeking to finance their legal education. Applying for financial aid is simple and straightforward, but requires close attention to detail and deadlines. Begin the process by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2007. Carefully read the information provided here, and follow the instructions in the Financial Aid Application Checklist.
Scholarships
If you are admitted to USC Law, you will receive our Application for Scholarships and Financial Aid in your admission packet. Be sure to submit the application immediately. All admitted applicants who submit the application in a timely manner will be considered for scholarship assistance.
All scholarships awarded to incoming first-year students are guaranteed for three years. Scholarships are awarded in amounts ranging up to full tuition. Most scholarships are based on need and merit, although the Admissions and Financial Aid Committee occasionally awards a small number of scholarships based solely on the applicant's potential, as indicated by the strength of the admissions file. If you receive a scholarship your first year, you can expect the same level of assistance in your second and third years.
Loan Programs
To be eligible for loan programs, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after January 1, 2007. Do not wait for an admissions decision before submitting the FAFSA.
Admitted applicants who apply for financial aid will first be packaged with any scholarships awarded. The next $20,500 of financial need is met by the Federal Stafford Loan. While you are enrolled at USC Law, a portion of this loan may be interest-free. The Federal Plus Loan or private alternative educational loans are available to meet any additional needs. These loan programs are available to all credit-worthy students without regard to need, and provide enough funds at competitive rates to meet the budgeted expenses of most students. If you are admitted to USC Law, our financial aid office will send you information on applying for the available loan programs.
Other Resources
Second- and third-year students may be eligible for work-study funds. The work-study program enables you to earn money toward your law school education by working in government or a non-profit law office, or as a research assistant for law faculty. Many USC Law students also help finance their education through lucrative, law-related work assignments during the summers or during the second and third years of law school.
USC Law's Office of Financial Aid office maintains a directory of scholarship programs offered by outside philanthropic and legal organizations. These opportunities are available primarily to students in their second and third years of law school.
The Veterans Affairs office on campus can assist veterans in receiving educational allowances.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program
The USC Law Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) provides assistance in repaying loans to graduates who accept employment with low-paying public-interest organizations. If you work for a qualifying organization after graduating, you may apply a specified percentage of your earnings to your annual loan-repayment obligations; USC Law will advance LRAP funds to cover the remainder. If you are employed by the organization for more than three years, LRAP assistance will be forgiven in part. All LRAP assistance will be forgiven if you remain in qualifying employment for six years.
