Pursuing a USC Price education is a big leap towards your future, and our team is here to support you every step of the way. Understanding what to anticipate in terms of costs and what funds you can access to help cover those costs is a great start in developing a plan to maximize the return on your investment.
At USC Price, we believe that higher education should be affordable and accessible to anyone no matter their background. We offer significant funding opportunities and resources during the admissions process and throughout your program to support your academic, professional, and personal goals. Our scholarships are based on merit and/or financial need, open to domestic, international, and undocumented students, and cover a variety of fields, interests, and experiences.
Click below to learn more about our scholarship opportunities, resources, and other information we hope you find helpful as you consider the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy as part of your educational journey.
“As a low-income, first-generation Latina student, the Price scholarships that I received made the goal of pursuing graduate school more attainable. I have more time to attend workshops and events that Price offers for professional and academic development. From personal experience, I found the support I needed at Price. I am a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and Price has worked with me to find alternative solutions to help me pay for my graduate-level education. I have learned that at Price, there is a genuine interest in helping students succeed.”
Selene Castillo
Master of Public Administration (MPA), ‘24
Scholarships
The Price School of Public Policy awards a number of scholarships to entering and continuing graduate and undergraduate students. Some are partial to full tuition scholarships while others support students in research, internships, and other professional development opportunities. Click below to learn more about Price specific and USC affiliated (campus wide) scholarships, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application process.
Looking for more funding opportunities? Subscribe to our monthly scholarship newsletters to receive a list of outside scholarship opportunities each month!
At USC Price, we are committed to supporting the educational goals of California residents.
Beginning with the incoming class for the 2024-2025 academic year, domestic California residents who apply by our December 15th deadline and are admitted to one of our on-campus master programs below will be guaranteed scholarship funding:
Master of Health Administration
Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Policy
Master of Science, Public Policyand Data Science
Master of Urban Planning
To learn more about our James Irvine California Scholarship including eligibility requirements, visit this page.
At the core of our school’s mission is the advancement of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts to positively impact our communities at home and worldwide. The Price School is proud to have partnerships with several organizations whose work aligns with our school’s mission.
Prospective students who are alumni of our partnership organizations and who apply to admission by our required deadlines are automatically eligible for scholarship funding.
To learn more about our scholarships for our partner organizations and how to apply, please visit our scholarships page here.
“As a first-generation student and proud son of immigrant parents, I have endured a sense of belonging and imposter syndrome as I started my graduate education. That all changed when I was awarded the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarship and Price Community Impact Scholarship. Being a recipient of those scholarships allowed me to focus on my studies and fully immerse myself in the Price community as I progress toward my career goals. The Price Financial Aid staff provided direction on other scholarships and programs like the USC Latino Alumni Association and Norman Topping Student Aid Fund. I would recommend prospective students to engage early with Financial Aid and start looking at all of the funding opportunities. Good Luck and Fight On!”
Manuel Munoz
PPIA Alumnus, Master of Public Administration (MPA), ‘25
Financial Aid and Financing Options
Graduate Financial Aid
Embarking on a graduate education is a valuable investment in your future by gaining specialized knowledge, advanced skills, and expanded networks that can lead to fulfilling career opportunities. We understand that each graduate student’s financial situation is unique, and we’re here to help.
Graduate students can access various avenues for financial assistance. Low, fixed-interest rate federal student loans and federal work study are just the beginning. Check out the video below to learn more about graduate financial aid available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and visit this page to learn more.
Prospective students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships ranging from a few thousands up to full tuition through the Price School. Additionally, USC as a whole offers several opportunities to apply for additional scholarships through departments such as the Alumni Associations, Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, Town and Gown, and much more. We encourage all students to explore our scholarships section and apply for as many scholarships as they’re eligible for.
“I am so grateful that Price chose to invest in me and my talents by providing me a scholarship towards my degree. This has helped alleviate my financial stress and will allow me to reach my career goals. The scholarship office and team at USC Price have been phenomenal. The team has been helpful in identifying scholarships and how to apply for those scholarships. To all prospective students considering Price, I would recommend scheduling a meeting with the scholarship team and reviewing the scholarships available. Be sure to apply early and reach out with all your questions because the Trojan Family is ready to support you!”
Morgan Stahr
Master of Public Policy (MPP), ‘24
Undergraduate Financial Aid
About 2/3 of USC undergraduate students receive some sort of financial aid in the form of grants, work study, and/or student loans. USC is need-blind in its admission process which means that your ability to pay or your interest in financial aid does not play a role in admission decisions.
Most importantly, USC meets 100% of students’ financial need and is committed to making an undergraduate education affordable and accessible through its Affordability Initiative for incoming, first-time freshmen.
Check out the video below and visit this page to learn more about USC undergraduate financial aid.
Other Financial Strategies
Knowing which short and long-term financial strategies are available can play a vital role in your academic journey. Here are some additional options that may be available and worth considering as you develop a plan to fund your Price education:
Financial Strategy
Description
USC Payment Plan
A five-month payment plan with zero interest but a $50 sign-up fee is a great short-term solution to get additional time to settle your bill and avoid late fees. Learn More.
Tuition Pre-payment Plan
Secure today’s tuition rates by pre-paying at least two years of tuition. With annual tuition increases of 3-5%, this long-term strategy offers stability. Learn More.
Employer and Sponsor Support
If you receive tuition assistance, employer reimbursement, or are sponsored by a government agency or organization, explore options to defer tuition payments or have invoices sent directly to your employer through Agency Billing. Learn more.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Public service loan forgiveness offers the chance to have federal loans canceled after 120 qualifying monthly payments. Qualifying organizations include 501c(3) nonprofits, government entities (local, state, federal, tribal), or organizations dedicated to public service. Learn more.
Federal Loan Repayment
Discover income-driven repayment plans like the new SAVE plan, designed to make monthly payments manageable and affordable. Learn more.
“The Price scholarship has had a life-changing impact on my experience as a Master of Health Administration student enabling me to focus on my academics and participate in professional development organizations like Upsilon Phi Delta and the Advanced Degree Consulting Club. Overall, the scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to succeed academically while paving the way for a promising future in healthcare administration. I strongly urge all prospective students to seize the opportunity to apply for these scholarships and immerse themselves in the enriching culture at Price, where diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that are not only recognized but also celebrated and embraced.”
Phong Doozy Do
Master of Health Administration (MHA), ‘24
Attend Our Scholarships Webinars
Are you interested in learning more about funding your Price graduate education?
Attend one of our webinars and get your questions answered! Our team will host financial aid webinars to walk you through your costs and options to fund a Price graduate education.
Our webinars will cover the following topics:
Scholarships at Price and USC
External funding opportunities
Program Costs
Graduate Financial Aid
and more!
To register and for more information, visit this page.
Other resources may include free software by USC ITS, free entertainment such as HBO Max, free LinkedIn Learning and more. Visit our Resources page for more information.
Free Scholarship Search Engines
Below are a few free scholarship search engines we encourage you to explore to continue finding outside scholarship opportunities:
“Price has been academically and financially supportive. The school awarded me with different scholarships such as the Nick Fagnano Scholarship for transfer Trojans in Price, as well as the Price Dean’s Merit Graduate Scholarship; these scholarships have made attending USC while studying in Price affordable, as well as allowed me to focus more on the most important part of school: Learning! Within Price, it genuinely feels like a community and my advisors and professors are notable individuals within the world of public policy, planning, and real estate. Opportunities offered in Price are abundant and plentiful!”
Antonio Okeke
Master of Public Administration (MPA), ‘24 Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, ‘23
Understanding Costs
Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
USC charges tuition and fees on a semester basis. For fall and spring, the university bill is due the Friday before classes begin. For summer, the university bill is due by the start of classes.
At the undergraduate level, full-time students can register anywhere from 12-18 units and will be charged a flat rate of tuition that covers that unit range. Undergraduate students who enroll less than full-time will be charged for each unit at the per unit rate. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least six units to be eligible for financial aid.
Please visit this page for the estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate students. The estimated cost of attendance is not what families pay; it is an estimate of costs that students may incur and helps determine your financial aid eligibility. Your actual costs may vary depending on your particular situation.
Graduate Tuition
USC charges tuition and fees on a semester basis. For fall and spring, the university bill is due the Friday before classes begin. For summer, the university bill is due by the start of classes.
At the graduate level, tuition is based on your class level and the number of units you register for each semester. Most Price students register in less than 14 units each semester. Graduate students must enroll at least half-time to be eligible for federal financial aid. Here are some examples of how tuition is calculated:
Students who enroll in business, real estate development, or engineering courses (among other schools) may see higher tuition amounts for those courses. Tuition rates are updated each fall and are applicable to the fall, spring and summer terms of that academic year. The most recent tuition rates can be found at classes.usc.edu.
Graduate Fees
Students who attend classes at the University Park Campus can also expect to come across a set of mandatory fees and other charges on their university bill. The following table provides a list of common student fees and what they cover:
Fee
Amount
Notes
Graduate Programming Fee
$40/semester
Provides access to resources offered by the USC Graduate Student Government (GSG)
Norman Topping Fee
$11/semester
Charged to all students
USC Student Health Center Fee
$600/semester ($300 in summer)
Provides access to primary medical care, counseling services, preventative education, and other programming
USC Transportation Services Fee
$93/semester
Provides access to free Lyft rides around campus, USC buses, free Metro U-Pass, and other services
PPD Lab Fee
$125-$250
Only applicable to certain courses in certain programs
Tuition Refund Insurance
About $7/unit
Optional medical withdrawal insurance to protect your tuition investment. Recommended for financial aid and scholarship recipients.
USC Student Health Insurance
$948 in fall and $1,754 in spring
Waivable if you have your own insurance
We’ve outlined most program’s estimated tuition and fees on a semester basis here. Amounts are based on standard course sequencing for full-time enrollment. Students who take more or less units each semester may see their tuition charges vary.
If you have any questions about our Price scholarships or program costs, please contact [email protected]. Our team is happy to assist you.
You can also find knowledge based articles to commonly asked questions regarding financial aid, academic records & registrar, and admissions, as well as email these offices, at AskUSC.
