2024-25 Campus and University Fees 

• Campus-Based Fees each semester: $428.58*
• All M.L.S. students are charged the above fees regardless of program option (whether remote, hybrid, on-campus, part-time or full-time). See Fee Disclaimer below.
• UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP): $5,571.32 ($2,785.66/semester)
  • If you are covered by an insurance policy that meets waiver criteria and do not want to utilize UC SHIP benefits, you can request to cancel UC SHIP enrollment annually by submitting an online waiver application with supporting documentation during a waiver period.
• Full-time students are eligible for university housing at an additional cost.
• The UC Student Association/Graduate and Professional Council (UCSA/UCGPC) fee is a UC systemwide fee which can be waived per semester or academic year if requested by the student: $3.50 per semester.

*This includes the Student Services Fee, Ackerman Student Union Fee, Ackerman/Kerckhoff Seismic Fee, Wooden Center Fee, SPARC fee, Graduate Students Association Fee, Graduate Writing Center Fee, and the BruinGO Universal Access Transit Pass Fee.  Expect the total aggregate fees to go up about 2-4% each year.

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 M.L.S. students. Students enrolled part-time may see these figures adjusted.

The tuition, fees, and charges posted to the student billing statement are estimates based on existing amounts. These figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by state funding reductions. Accordingly, final approved tuition and fee levels (and thus a student’s final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown.
 
Some or all instruction for all or part of the academic year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction, and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.

The Bruin scholarship will be awarded to admitted students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and/or professional accomplishment. There is no need to apply for this scholarship; all applicants will be considered automatically and recipients will be notified.

This scholarship is awarded to admitted students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, or other outstanding achievements.

Application Statement Required. Must be submitted at time of program application.

In no more than 500 words, the statement should demonstrate your exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, or other outstanding achievements through examples from your academic and/or professional experience.

This scholarship will be determined based on one or more of the following factors: 1) a demonstrated extraordinary financial need; or 2) personal circumstances that might warrant additional aid.

Application Statement Required. Must be submitted at time of program application.

In no more than 500 words, the statement should demonstrate one or both of the above circumstances and must provide at least one of the following items: household income, net worth, any medical expenses, and or family assistance.

Full-Time leaders in the government or non-profit sector may apply. An application is required (completed by uploading a statement when prompted during the application).

Application Statement Required. Must be submitted at time of program application.

In no more than 500 words, the statement must demonstrate: 1) a history of engagement in areas of public interest; and 2) a commitment to achieving lasting change that transforms people’s lives through work in non-profit or government sectors.

Full-time, career university employees are guaranteed this scholarship.

Employment verification will be required each term to maintain this scholarship award throughout the student's degree program.

Note: This scholarship replaces the Government and Non-Profit scholarship. The UC tuition discount is only available for state-funded programs and does not apply for the M.L.S. program as the M.L.S. program is a self-supporting degree.

Awarded to full time healthcare employees, including those working for university healthcare systems such as UCLA Health.

Note: This scholarship replaces the Government and Non-Profit scholarship. The UC tuition discount is only available for state-funded programs and does not apply for the M.L.S. program as the M.L.S. program is a self-supporting degree.

The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to those who have demonstrated a history of impactful engagement in the EDI field and a continued dedication to advancing these critical efforts. Applicants must be full-time EDI professionals. The applicant’s resume must reflect a strong history of involvement and leadership in the EDI space, showcasing a commitment to fostering inclusive environments and addressing systemic inequities.

This scholarship, covering full tuition, is awarded to one admitted full-time, career professional in media, broadcasting, or journalism. Program application must be submitted by April 1st for consideration.

Application Statement Required. Must be submitted at time of program application.

In no more than 500 words, the statement must demonstrate: (1) An active professional history in the fields of media, broadcasting, or journalism, engaging in areas of public interest, such as (but not limited to) poverty, civil rights, human rights, public health, immigration, criminal justice, housing, or the environment; and (2) a commitment to achieving lasting change that transforms people's lives through work in the fields of media, broadcasting, or journalism.

For those admitted starting in the Fall 2025 matriculating class

An admitted student will receive a "funding letter."  This funding letter will outline all aid received.  It will include a total award amount.  It will be broken down as follows:

• Full-time students: For admitted students who are projected to finish the program in two semesters, the award will be divided by the two semesters and allocated evenly between the Fall and Spring semesters.  This is regardless of the number of chosen units in each semester.
• Part-time students:  For admitted students who are projected to finish the program in three or more semesters, the total award will be divided as follows:
  • Total awards at $20k or lower:  The award will be divided evenly over four semesters.
  • Total awards over $20k:  The total award will be divided by 26 and awarded each semester based on the number of enrolled units.  The award will only be posted for the first 26 units, no award will be posted for units over 26 total earned units.
• Conversion:  
  • If a student converts from a pace to complete in two semesters to a pace to complete in three or more semesters: 
    • The award will convert to the "Part-Time" mechanics outlined above in a manner deemed most appropriate by the Master of Legal Studies office.  
  • If a student converts from a pace to complete in three or more semesters to a pace to complete in two or less semesters from the date of matriculation: 
    • The total award remaining will be evenly divided over the remaining number of semesters.  

For those admitted before the Fall 2025 matriculating class

Scholarships are administered as outlined in the funding letter.  

Conditions of Scholarship

To be eligible for the aid awarded, students must be in academic good standing.  

M.L.S. students enrolled in at least 6 units are eligible to apply for student loans from the federal government to cover tuition and living expenses. 

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form which enables the school to determine students' eligibility for federal loans (Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS). The FAFSA must be completed each year by all who wish to be considered for federal financial aid at UCLA.

Completing the FAFSA online reduces errors and improves turnaround time. You can do this by going to studentaid.gov. Request that a copy of the FAFSA be released to UCLA by indicating our school code: 001315.

The FAFSA should be submitted as early as possible upon admission to the Master of Legal Studies program.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program enables qualified graduate and professional students to receive up to $20,500 in a federally guaranteed loan. For the 2024-25 academic year, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan has an interest rate of 8.08 percent and a loan fee of 1.057 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2025. The federal government will automatically deducted the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

The U.S. Department of Education allows all eligible recipients to receive a lifetime amount of $138,500, including Undergraduate and Graduate Federal Loans. However, no more than $65,500 can come from the Federal Subsidized Loan.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate and professional students are allowed to borrow through a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS (GPLUS) Loan. For the 2024-25 academic year; the GPLUS loan has an interest rate of 9.08 percent and a loan fee of 4.228 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2025. The federal government will automatically deduct the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

The GPLUS Loan does not have annual or aggregate loan limits (other than the cost of attendance less other financial aid) but requires a credit review. Just as with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, GPLUS borrowers are eligible for an in-school deferment if they are enrolled at least half-time. The GPLUS has the same payment options, the same deferments and forbearances, and the same cancellation provisions as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

How is APR different than an interest rate?

In most cases, you have seen APR (Annual Percentage Rate) related to private loans, car loans and your credit card. What you are being charged for your loan isn’t actually just an interest rate; it’s really the APR. So, what is the APR?

The APR is the annual cost of your loan. It includes the interest rate and certain fees. In order to accurately compare the cost of loans, you should always compare the APRs rather than just the interest rates.

Entrance Counseling

Important! All first-time federal loan borrowers at UCLA need to be informed about borrowers’ rights and responsibilities. Law students will satisfy this requirement by completing an online Entrance Counseling Session. This can be accomplished by reviewing the counseling session materials and taking an online quiz. All quiz results are transmitted electronically to the UCLA Student Loan Services and Collections Office.

Please be sure to indicate "UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles" as your institution when registering your account to ensure that you are directed to the entrance exam.

Failure to follow through with this requirement will delay disbursement of your eligible Federal Direct Loan proceeds.

Credit-Based Private Loans

Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options, including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.

Some students find it necessary to finance a portion of their education through private loan sources. These lenders offer loans to offset the cost of attending law school. The loan terms are printed directly on the application and also are governed by federal and state lending regulations. The choice of lender rests solely with the student, but he/she will need to meet the lender’s credit requirements. Please see UCLA's Preferred Lender List and Code of Conduct – Preferred Lenders.

Students may enroll in the BruinPay Plan to pay tuition and fees in four monthly installments at the start of each semester. See here for more information about the BruinPay Plan.

• FAFSA
• Federal Student Aid Info
• Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (this has replaced the FSA PIN)
• National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
• ​Debt Management Session (Entrance Loan Counseling)
• Graduate Division
• Residency Requirements
• Free Credit Report
• MAX by AccessLex

Any class drops or withdrawals must be made by the following dates to receive the corresponding percentage of M.L.S. tuition fee refund.

University and campus-based fees will follow the withdrawal refund schedule set by University of California.

Any class drops or withdrawals must be made by the following dates to receive the corresponding percentage of M.L.S. tuition fee refund.

University and campus-based fees will follow the withdrawal refund schedule set by University of California.

Spring 2024

Any class drops or withdrawals must be made by the following dates to receive the corresponding percentage of M.L.S. tuition fee refund.

University and campus-based fees will follow the withdrawal refund schedule set by University of California.

Fall 2023

Any class drops or withdrawals must be made by the following dates to receive the corresponding percentage of M.L.S. tuition fee refund.

University and campus-based fees will follow the withdrawal refund schedule set by University of California.