The law student budget – to cover books, supplies and living expenses for the nine-month school year – is assigned to all students regardless if one lives on or off-campus. 

For Informational Use Only

The above budget represents the living allowance costs for 1Ls and 2Ls.  Graduating students would receive an additional $1,873 adjustment in Books and Supplies to cover Bar exam registration costs.

The University of California, Los Angeles, will allow professional students to increase the standardized budget intended to cover expenses above and beyond tuition/fees. This increase will grant access to additional federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans or Direct Unsubsidized loans. See below for qualifying conditions.

Loans for Computer Purchases

The U.S. Higher Education statute permits colleges and universities to allow students to use federal financial aid to purchase a computer. At UCLA, law students who wish to take advantage of this provision must obtain a Budget Increase Request Form. Students must complete the form and provide a computer purchase receipt. Keep all receipts!

Childcare/Eldercare Expenses

Students who provide for dependent children or elderly relatives while attending the UCLA School of Law may request a budget increase through our office by completing a Budget Increase Request Form and providing proof of payment. This proof can be in the form of receipts for childcare/eldercare, an original contract agreement with a licensed daycare/eldercare provider or preschool, or copies of canceled checks made payable to the childcare/eldercare provider (school tuition not covered). Our office will accept proof of payment that occurs during the enrollment period, only. Students who rely upon family members or close friends must pay with a check in order to receive the budget increase. Students who are not able to do so will not be permitted to add the additional expense to their nine-month budget.

Additionally, student budget increases do not cover child support payments. However, if the student will provide support through a direct payment to the childcare provider or preschool, then the petitioned request falls under the "childcare guidelines" and the student may request an increase.

Medical/Dental

Included in the standard budget is an allowance for minor medical and dental costs for the student only. Budgets may be increased for your expenses not covered by personal health insurance. Receipts must be obtained from the physician and submitted with the petition. Estimates will not be accepted. Only expenses incurred and paid during the enrollment period will be considered. Eligible students must submit a Budget Increase Request Form.

Rent

The standard budget expense for rent is $1,659/month. However, UCLA will allow up to an additional $400/month for rent expenses that exceed the standard allowance. Students with dependent children are eligible to apply for a total increase of up to $600/month. Students must submit a current rental or lease agreement that includes their name. Cancelled checks may be requested for audit purposes. Law students who wish to request a budget adjustment for rent can obtain a Housing Adjustment Form.

UCLA Campus Parking Permit

A student commuting to campus by car is allowed to adjust their budget for the cost of a UCLA on-campus semesterly or yearly parking permit.  Proof of purchase and payment are required.

Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment

Student must submit the actual receipt(s) showing the total books and supplies purchased exceed the standard budget cost.  Only expenses over the standard budget ($1,806) would be allowed for adjustment.

Special Projects

Additional expenses for special course projects, thesis preparation, research projects, and internship program expenses may be considered. For special projects submit an itemized budget, signed by a professor or an advisor on department letterhead, to verify that the expenses for the project are reasonable and necessary and pertain to the academic year.

Special Expenses for Students with Disabilities

We will consider documented expenses related to the education of students with disabilities.

BruinBill

All students are assigned a BruinBill account. A BruinBill account records all charges and payments (excluding housing) associated with registration along with other service charges that are assessed to students.

Students must pay all charges in full by the 20th of each month or the preceding workday if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday. If a student misses the registration fee deadline, a late registration fee is assessed and the student is dropped from classes. The delinquent fee for unpaid balances that aren’t registration fees is $50. Please note that the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) fee is part of registration fees and is due and payable at the time registration fees are paid.

Student Accounts sends students monthly email notices, called BruinBills, as a reminder to view your bill on MyUCLA. You should receive the BruinBill notification between the 1st and the 3rd working day of each month. If your e-mail address changes, please be sure to update MyUCLA so that you will continue to receive the BruinBill notifications each month. BruinBill also contain a link to the monthly BruinBill messages on Student Accounts. The University uses BruinBill messages to communicate important information regarding registration and University policies.

Paper BruinBill Statement. Students may request to receive paper BruinBill statements in the mail. To request a paper statement, students must go in person to the Student Accounting Office, located at 1121 Murphy Hall.

Payments Process and BruinPay Plan

The UCLA Student Accounts website is the best place to go for the most comprehensive information about making payments. Students can pay their BruinBill account electronically on MyUCLA with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover Card. In addition, students can use the eCheck option or BruinPay Plan (BPP). Students can also print out a remittance document from Student Accounts and mail in payments with a check or money order.

Students may sign up for the "autopay" feature of BruinBill; however, please be aware that once you are assessed your tuition and fees (and you've enrolled in autopay), the entire amount due will be paid out (whether or not you have sufficient funds in your bank account to cover the bill). If you do not have sufficient funds, your payment will be returned and you will be charged a "returned check fee" from the University, as well as an insufficient funds fee from your own bank. Furthermore, the autopay feature overrides BPP (the installment payment plan), so if you're enrolled in BPP, you should not elect the autopay feature.

Failure to settle financial obligations with the University may result in a hold being placed on the student’s record. Such a hold could affect registration, enrollment, financial aid, campus services and release of academic transcripts.

Payment Methods

Online, through MyUCLA: Students can pay their BruinBill account on MyUCLA using American Express, VISA, MasterCard or Discover Card.

By Mail: Students can print out a remittance document from Student Accounts and mail in payments with a check or money order.

In Person: Students may make cash, check and debit card payments in person at the Payment Solutions and Compliance Office located at 1125 Murphy Hall (310-794-5333).  For details and frequently asked questions, see Student Accounts.

Disbursements

The Financial Aid System automatically credits aid (scholarships, loans, etc.) to the BruinBill accounts each semester of most students who receive financial aid. Registration/tuition fees and other outstanding UCLA debts, such as student health or computer lab printing fees, are automatically deducted.  Any remaining financial aid funds are refunded back to students for living expenses.

Refunds

BruinDirect is UCLA’s direct deposit system that sends BruinBill account refunds directly to student bank accounts. Students are notified of transactions via email before each deposit is made. To sign up for BruinDirect, please go to the BruinDirect link in MYUCLA. While your BruinDirect account is being set up, your refunds will be mailed to the address you indicate on MyUCLA. BruinDirect refunds are processed daily. Refunds by mail are processed weekly. Sign up for BruinDirect today!

Students receiving financial aid refunds that are not processed electronically will get a paper check sent via the U.S. Postal Service to their address listed in MyUCLA. Paper checks are mailed once a week on Mondays.

Mandatory UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)

Insurance is a condition of registration at the University of California. As such, the cost of the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is billed along with other UCLA fees each academic term. The UC SHIP fee may be waived by submitting a waiver form by the fee payment deadline for each term. Waiving UC SHIP is an online process.

UC SHIP fulfills all of the requirements mandated for adequate medical/health insurance as defined by the University. The Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center is the primary health care provider for UC SHIP and is where all non-emergency medical care must be initiated for UC SHIP claim payment consideration. Learn more about UC SHIP.

Waiving Out of UC SHIP

Students may waive out of UC SHIP if they (1) maintain active enrollment in an adequate medical/health insurance plan that meets all established requirements; (2) apply for a UC SHIP waiver within established deadlines; and, (3) correctly complete the online UC SHIP waiver form. Students must apply for a UC SHIP waiver online. See the Ashe Center website for details, including a definition of qualifying adequate private medical/health insurance. Follow the Online Services link at UC SHIP.