Funding Your MPA Degree
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.
We offer significant funding opportunities and resources during the admissions process and throughout your program to support your academic, professional, and personal goals.
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.
Explore Funding and Scholarships
Scholarships
The Price School of Public Policy awards a number of scholarships to entering and continuing graduate and undergraduate students. Some are renewable or one-time while others may support students in research, internships, or other professional development opportunities. Click here to learn more about USC Price specific and USC affiliated (campus wide) scholarships, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application process.
Please note MPA Online students are eligible for the following scholarships on the list in the link above:
- City Hall Fellows Scholarship Program
- MPA Online Dean’s Merit Scholarship
- MPA Online Professional Scholarship
- Price Diversity Scholarship Endowment
- USC Price/Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA)
- USC Price/Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Program Alumni Fellowship
- USC Price/Coro Alumni Fellowships
- USC Price/Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellowships
- USC Price/Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Scholarships
- USC Price/Republic of Korea Ministry of Personnel Management 1+1 Program
- USC Price/Republic of Korea National Assembly Long-Term Fellowship Program Scholarships
- USC Price/Teach for America Fellowships
- Veteran’s Administration Yellow Ribbon Program Matching Award
- Red and Sheri Cavaney Graduate Veteran Scholarship
- USC Price/City Year National Service Scholarship
The following are additional USC affiliated scholarship opportunities we encourage online students to apply for. Please reach out to the awarding department directly to confirm your eligibility:
- USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholarships
- USC Black Alumni Association Scholarships
- USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Association Scholarships
- USC Latino Alumni Association Scholarships
- USC Town and Gown Scholarships
- USC Staff Assembly Scholarship
Looking for more funding opportunities? Subscribe to our monthly scholarship newsletters to receive a list of outside scholarship opportunities each month!
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 USC 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
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Leadership Program
- CORO Public Affairs Fellows 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.
Additional Resources
Resources for Current Students
There are several resources that may be available to currently enrolled students which include:
Graduate Student Government Resources
Undocumented Student Resources
USC Student Basic Needs Resources
Free Scholarship Search Engines
Below are a few free scholarship search engines we encourage you to explore to continue finding outside scholarship opportunities:
Career Onestop Scholarships
Scholarship Universe
USC iGrad
USC Awards & Fellowships
Immigrants Rising Database
IEFA Scholarships Database
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 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 partial tuition scholarships 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.
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. |
| 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. |
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 |
| 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 | $1,765 in fall and $3,388 in spring | Waivable if you have your own insurance |
| New Student Fee | $55 | A one-time, non-refundable charge in the first semester that helps fund welcome week activities. |
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.