2024-25 FAFSA Issues and Workarounds: If you are experiencing issues completing or submitting your 2024-25 FAFSA, visit this 2024–25 FAFSA Issue Alerts page for the latest workarounds for issues applicants have been experiencing. Also, see this UCI Insider podcast episode: Understanding the Simplified FAFSA.

Welcome to Student Financial Services

The Office of Student Financial Services determines eligibility for institutional financial aid and ensures that eligible students are appropriately awarded federal student aid. In addition to managing the delivery of all types of financial aid funds, we offer law students financial services in the form of loan counseling, advise on maintaining financial aid eligibility, debt management workshops, web-based tools to manage an education loan portfolio and Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).

J.D. Cost of Attendance

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees consist of Tuition, Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST), Student Services Fee, mandatory UCI campus-based fees (e.g., recreation center, associated students fee etc.) and graduate student health insurance.  Nonresident students are also assessed Nonresident Supplemental Tuition.

Refer to your ZOT bill for fees and deadlines.  The tuition, fees, and charges posted to your billing statement or account are estimates based on currently approved amounts.

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. 

 

Breakdown of 2023-2024 fee assessment

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 increases or reductions in State funding, or other developments. Accordingly, final approved levels (and thus your final balance due) may differ from the amounts shown. 

2023-24 Zot Bill Expenses CA Resident Non-Resident
Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) $41,670.00 $41,670.00
Nonresident Supplemental Tuition n/a $12,245.00
Tuition $12,264.00 $12,264.00
Student Services Fee $1,206.00 $1,206.00
UCI Campus Based Fees $805.11 $805.11
Document Fee (one time upon matriculation) $80.00 $80.00
TOTAL ANNUAL COST $55,945.11 $68,190.11
Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHIP)* $5,518.86  $5,518.86
TOTAL ANNUAL COST w/ GSHIP* $61,463.97 $73,708.97
UC Graduate and Professional Council Fee** $3.50 $3.50

*First year Law students (matriculating prior to September 24, 2023) and any returning students not enrolled in the previous spring semester will also pay a prorated GSHIP premium of $635.05 in addition to the fall premium of $2,759.44 for a total 2023 fall semester GSHIP premium of $3,394.49.

**The UC Graduate and Professional Council fee is a non-mandatory fee that graduate students are assessed during the fall, winter and spring terms to support the systemwide UC Student Association. Students may elect to opt-out and once the opt-out is elected students will not be charged the fee unless they change their election for a later term.

Description of Tuition and Fees

The Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition (PDST) is assessed to all UC students enrolled in designated graduate professional degree programs. Charges vary by program and UC campus.

Nonresident Supplemental Tuition is required of all J.D. students who have been classified as nonresidents for tuition purposes for that semester and are ineligible for any exemptions from Nonresident Supplemental Tuition. Further information is available in our section on residency.

Tuition provides general support for the operating budget, including costs related to instruction, and helps to fund student financial aid. J.D. students are required to pay the full tuition for each semester in which they enroll.

The Student Services Fee is required of all J.D. students regardless of the number of courses taken. This fee is a charge to each student for co-curricular programs, activities, and services, which benefit the student and which are complementary to, but not a part of, the instructional programs. No part of this fee is refundable to students who do not use all or any of these services.

The Document Fee provides lifetime access to official transcripts and academic verifications without a fee for in-person pickup or delivery by USPS. In addition, there is no fee for mailing the initial diploma. This is paid one time, upon matriculation.

Annual Mandatory UCI Campus Based Fees also include:

  • UCI Student Center Fee
  • Associated Students Fee
  • Bren Events Center Fee
  • Recreation Center Fee

A description of each fee can be found here: https://www.reg.uci.edu/fees/descriptions.html

Living Expenses and Books

University of California, Irvine School of Law estimates cost-of-living and book expenses based on a modest but adequate standard of living. These costs are updated annually. The cost of living depends upon a student’s personal situation and choices. Students have the choice to live on campus in a residence hall or off-campus. Each of the living arrangements has a different cost. Please click here for typical off-campus housing costs near UCI. For detailed information about housing refer to the housing page

2023-2024 Estimated Nine-Month J.D. Student Budget

Expense Living On Campus Living Off-Campus*
Rent & Utilities $8,581 $20,309
Food $8,010 $8,010
Travel $3,664 $3,664
Personal $3,490 $3,490
Law Books $1,660 $1,660
Licensure Fees (Bar Exam Fees)** Varies Varies
Total $25,405 $37,133

*Includes American Campus Communities, Vista Del Campo, Vista Del Campo Norte, and Puerta Del Sol

**The California Bar Exam Fees will be added to the Cost of Attendance starting the 2023-24 academic year:

    1L Fall: $119

    3L Fall: $1,800

 

The Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP) Fee is charged over two semesters (fall and spring) to provide 12-month coverage from August through September. The fee is required of all J.D. students regardless of the number of courses taken or units carried. The fee is used to provide graduate and medical students with health insurance. If students provide evidence of comparable coverage from another source, participation in the mandatory plan may be waived via ZOT Account Online. This fee is subject to change pending the outcome of negotiations with insurance carriers.

Graduate Student Health Insurance:      $5,518.86

First year Law students (matriculating prior to September 24, 2023) and any returning students not enrolled in the previous spring semester will also pay a prorated GSHIP premium of $635.05 in addition to the fall premium of $2,759.44 for a total 2023 fall semester GSHIP premium of $3,394.49.

Budget Increases

In extreme circumstances, J.D. students occasionally incur expenses during the year that may warrant an increase in our standard budget listed above. The goal is to provide students with enough financial aid funding to cover allowable educational related expenses while maintaining a reasonable level of borrowing.

Allowable budget increases include:

  • Computer Purchases (up to $2,000). Note: Students may receive only one computer-related budget increase during their three years at UCI Law.
  • Medical/Dental/Optical (not covered by insurance)
  • Emergency Car Repair
  • Travel Expenses due to unforeseen family emergencies
  • Child-care expenses (Up to nine months' maximum will be allowed)

Students who wish to add additional expenses to their budget must contact the School of Law Office of Student Financial Services at finaid@law.uci.edu.

Should a budget increase be allowed, the increase would be met in the form of an additional student loan.


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. 

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

Contact

Student Financial Services
401 E. Peltason Dr.
Suite 1000
Irvine, CA 92697-8000

finaid@law.uci.edu
Phone: (949) 824-8080

Schedule an appointment with Nasreen Zia

Director of Student Financial Services; click here.

 

Schedule an appointment with Jennifer Terrazas

Assistant Director of Student Financial Services; click here.