Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2021-2022 academic year, tuition for one semester is:

• $29,630 for students enrolled in 15-18 units
• $1,995 per unit for students enrolled in 1-14 units

The estimated total tuition* for each program is below:

• 4 Semester Traditional MSW Program: $115,120
• 6 Semester MSW Program: $119,700
• 3 Semester Advanced Standing Program: $73,212

* based on 2021-2022 tuition rate

Traditional MSW Full-Time Tuition Chart (4 Semesters)

Traditional MSW Part-Time Tuition Chart (6 semesters)
 

Advanced Standing MSW Program Tuition Chart (3 Semesters)

** based on 2021-2022 tuition rate 

• Your cost of attendance will be determined by the USC Financial Aid Office and will reflect tuition, all mandatory fees and, in some cases, certain allowances for living expenses. Published rates for 2021 have not yet been announced and subject to change.
• You must apply for federal loans and work study through the USC Financial Aid Office. You can apply for USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work scholarships and stipends through the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work scholarships and stipends will be determined separately from the USC FAO and may not be included on your initial financial aid award letter from the USC FAO.
• All financial aid amounts are subject to change.

Note: All units and fees are charged per semester. Mandatory fees do not include books or housing.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, tuition for one semester is:

• $29,630 for students enrolled in 15-18 units*
• $1,995 per unit for students enrolled in 1-14 units*

The estimated total tuition* for each program is below:

• 4 Semester Traditional MSW Program: $83,790
• 3 Semester MSW Program: $81,500
  
  *based on 2021-2022 tuition rate, subject to change

Traditional MSW Full-Time Tuition Chart (4 Semesters)

Fast Track MSW Tuition Chart (3 semesters)

Working Professionals MSW Program Tuition Chart (7 Semesters)

** based on 2021-2022 tuition rate, subject to change

• Your cost of attendance will be determined by the USC Financial Aid Office and will reflect tuition, all mandatory fees and, in some cases, certain allowances for living expenses. Published rates for 2021 have not yet been announced and subject to change.
• You must apply for federal loans and work study through the USC Financial Aid Office. You can apply for USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work scholarships and stipends through the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work scholarships and stipends will be determined separately from the USC FAO and may not be included on your initial financial aid award letter from the USC FAO.
• All financial aid amounts are subject to change.

MSW Merit Scholarship

• Applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship based on the academic merit described in their admissions application. No additional application is required.
• This scholarship award is extremely competitive and award amounts vary from $18,000 to $45,000 (divided evenly over the 4 semesters) for 4-semester students, up to $10,000 for 6-semester and Working Professional students, and up to $15,000 for Advanced Standing students.
• Students selected for this scholarship will be notified shortly after receiving their admissions decision.

Endowed and Philanthropic Scholarships

• Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer several scholarships based on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and financial need. These scholarships are awarded to students who meet the specific criteria of each donor fund.
• These scholarship awards are competitive and never guaranteed.
• Award amounts vary by donor fund.
• Admitted students will be notified when the Endowed and Philanthropic Scholarship Application becomes available in the Spring.
• Please make sure you meet the guidelines prior to applying. As noted in the application, some scholarships are specific to the program (MSW, @MSW (VAC), MSN, and DSW.
• Only students awarded will be notified, no denial emails will be sent.
• The scholarship application may only be completed once per academic year. 
• All scholarship applications will stay on file for a full academic year and students may be awarded at any time throughout the academic year.
• If you are selected for an award, we cannot guarantee you will receive it again in the future as these scholarships are subject to availability and donor requirements.
• If selected, you will be expected to send the Donor a Thank You letter through our Scholarship Programs office. 

For more information, contact:

Scholarship Programs Office
213-740-1726

Office of Admissions
213-740-2013

We believe strongly in direct theory to practice and in that vein, MSW students are required to complete over 1,000 hours of field placement.  To further support our students in their endeavors, incoming students are eligible for field stipends for the semesters they are enrolled in field practicum.

• No application needed
• Applicants are reviewed during their admission file review
• Selected students are notified via email a few weeks after their admission decision
• Funds awarded only while the student is in field internship
• Funds go directly to students monthly
• Funds are to aid expenses related to academic success

We are honored to be one of the few schools able to award these types of stipends and we are grateful to offer another way to support our students on their academic journeys.

USC-Affiliated Scholarships

• Many USC-affiliated organizations offer competitive scholarships. You should contact the administering organization with any questions you have about the scholarships. (Please check each for deadlines.)
  • USC Online Scholarship System
  • USC Alumni Association Scholarships
  • Rockwell Dennis Hunt Scholastic Award
  • Norman Topping Student Aid Fund
  • Town and Gown Scholarships

Scholarship Search Engines

• College Board
• Fast Web
• Go Grad Scholarships Guide for LQBTQ Students
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• SuperCollege.com
• UNCF Scholarships
• CHCI NextOpp

International Scholarship Search Engines

• eduPASS
• International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search
• International Scholarship Search
• The International Student and Study Abroad Resource Center

Professional Organizations and Foundations

• USC Awards and Fellowships Database
• American Association of University Women
• Council on Social Work Education
• Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
• Immigrants Rising
• Giva Scholarship
• Go Grad General Scholarships Guide
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (Maldef)
• National Association of Social Workers Foundation
• National Indian Education Association
• Point Foundation
• Sallie Mae College Answer

Additionally, you should consult other financial aid sources through local libraries, online search engines, federal agencies, private foundations and organizations.

Loans
Often scholarships do not cover the full cost of attendance. The majority of incoming students are self-funded with Federal Stafford (up to $20,500 per year) and Graduate Plus loans. Loans need to be paid back and accrue interest over time. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

• FAFSA

For more information, contact:
USC Financial Aid Office
213-740-4444


Stipend Programs

The workforce development and stipend programs at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work offer MSW students the opportunity to specialize in an area of practice where there is a high need for qualified social workers. Students can apply to a stipend program(s) from an area(s) of focus based on their interests. Stipend programs differ in length, funding, requirements, and competitive application processes. Read below for a brief description of each stipend program, including corresponding information sheets.

Stipend Program List, Applications and Contacts

Military Benefits
Eligible veterans may be able to use their education benefits at USC. Additionally, veterans entitled to the 100% Post 9/11 benefit rate may be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program.

For more information, contact:

USC Veterans Certification Office 
213-740-4619

Other Methods
USC accepts a variety of forms of payment, including: online payments from a checking account or credit card, wire transfers, payment plans, and employer reimbursement.

For more information, contact:
Student Financial Services
213-740-4077

USC Financial Aid Office
Web Contact Form 
Phone: 213-740-4444

• FAFSA
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loan
• Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
• Coordination of financial aid to my student account

USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Office of Admissions
Web Contact Form
Phone: 213-740-2013

• On-campus MSW applicants who have not started classes
  • Questions about merit-based scholarships

USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Scholarship Programs Office
Web Contact Form
Phone: 213-740-1726

• Students in the Virtual Academic Center
• Continuing on-campus MSW students
  • Check the status of my disbursement
  • Question about a scholarship I have received 
  • Want to learn about additional funding options
  • Want to know how to apply for scholarships
  • Requesting emergency funding

USC Student Financial Services
Email Contacts
Phone: 213-740-4077

• Question about a hold on my account
• Pay my tuition bill
• Want to setup a payment plan

USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
Stipend Programs

• Contact the lead faculty member for the stipend program listed below each stipend. That person can provide information about program requirements, commitments, deadlines and events.