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.
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.
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.
More Financial Aid Information
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Guaranteed Scholarships for Domestic Students
At USC Price, we are committed to supporting the educational goals of future leaders from various fields.
Domestic students who apply by our December 15th deadline, respond to the Deans Merit Scholarship application question, and are admitted to one of our on-campus master programs below are automatically eligible to receive scholarship funding:
- Master of Health Administration
- Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of Science, Public Policy and Data Science
- Master of Urban Planning
James Irvine Scholarship for California Residents
Scholarship for Domestic Applicants Outside of California
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.
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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.
Salene Castillo
Master of Public Administration (MPA), ‘24
Price Partnerships
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:
- Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA)
- City Year
- COLFUTURO (Colombia)
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Program
- CORO Public Affairs Fellows Program
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Peace Corps
- Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program
- Republic of Korea
- San Francisco City Hall Fellows Program
- Teach for America
- USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Prospective students who are affiliated with 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.
Financial Aid and Financing
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.
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. |
Additional Resources
Resources for Current Students
There are several resources that may be available to currently enrolled students which include:
Undergraduate Student Government Resources
Graduate Student Government Resources
Undocumented Student Resources
USC Student Basic Needs Resources
Other resources may include free software by USC ITS, free entertainment such as Grammarly, 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:
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.
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 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 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 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) |
| New Student Fee | $55 | A one-time, non-refundable charge in the first semester that helps fund welcome week activities. |
| Norman Topping Fee | $11/semester | Charged to all students |
| USC Student Health Center Fee | $650/semester ($300 in summer) | Provides access to primary medical care, counseling services, preventative education, and other programming |
| USC Transportation Services Fee | $117/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 | $1,063 in fall and $1,977 in spring | Waivable if you have your own insurance |
Contact Us
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.