Cost of Attendance

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Tuition and fees for the 2009-2010 academic year are $35,328 for residents and $45,968 for non-residents.  In addition to tuition and fees, law school students should budget approximately $970 per semester for books and supplies.

All fees are subject to revision without notice. For more detailed information about tuition and fees, please visit the UCLA Registrar’s Office.  For information regarding the fee payment process, please click here.

STRETCHING THE LAW STUDENT BUDGET
The law student budget--to cover books, supplies, and living expenses for the nine-month school year--is assigned based on the student's housing status. Our off-campus budget is assigned to students living alone or with roommates; our commuter budget is assigned to students living with parents or other independent family members in the area. See below the variations of the law student budget for 2009-2010 academic year.

                                                               For Informational Use Only

HOUSING OPTIONS
Students have the option to consider university-owned apartments.  These units are available to UCLA students only and are accessible by public transportation.  However, the monthly costs are not fully subsidized by the university.  To learn about placing housing ads and to receive information on average costs for renting an apartment, visit housing office.  Sometime during late June, the law school Student Affairs Office will provide admitted students with an information guide on housing that will include a roommate survey.  Be sure to review the guide carefully before making final housing decisions.

ALLOWABLE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
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 Graduate PLUS loan or campus-based financial aid. See below the qualifying conditions.  All required petitions can be found under "Financial Aid Forms" section of the website.

Loans for Computer Purchases
The U.S. Higher Education statute now 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. Complete the form and provide a computer purchase receipt or invoice with it. Keep all receipts! Post add-on audits will take place to insure that computers were purchased; reductions to student's budgets will occur for those who do not purchase computers, and students will be billed. The maximum federal loan increase is $2,000.00. If the expenses exceed $2,000, you must submit verification from your department certifying that the specific system requirements are required for your course of study. Verifying letter should be on departmental letterhead. For the 2009-2010 academic year the law school’s Financial Aid Office will accept receipts for computer purchases made between May 1, 2009 and April 25, 2010. Students will be offered unsubsidized Stafford funds, when available. Otherwise, it will be necessary to apply for federal Graduate PLUS or a credit-based private loan.  Those who do not wish to take out one of these two options may instead take out a University Credit Union (UCU) computer loan. UCU has a $1,500.00 loan minimum and $2,500.00 maximum.  Apply online at www.ucu.org.

Childcare/Eldercare Expenses and the Law Student Budget
Students who provide for dependent children or elderly relatives while attending UCLA law school 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 cancelled checks made payable to the childcare/eldercare provider.  For the 2009-2010 academic year 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.

Major Auto Repairs
An allowance for general repairs, gas, and car insurance is already included in the standard budget.  Also, you cannot petition to have your budget increased for general commuting to and from campus.  Only Advanced students who take courses with a clinical component that requires off campus participation are eligible for a budget increase for major auto repairs.  You must submit receipts for auto repairs and a letter from your advisor, on departmental letterhead, verifying the necessity of your automobile for educational purposes.  Eligible students must submit a Budget Increase Request.

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.

Rent
The standard budget expense for rent is $1,061/month.  However, UCLA will allow an additional $200/month, for expenses that exceed the standard allowance.  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.

Special Projects
Additional expenses for special course projects, thesis preparation, film projects, research projects, service award programs, and internship program expenses may be considered.  You must submit an itemized budget, signed by a professor or an advisor on departmental letterhead, to verify that the expenses for the project are reasonable and necessary and pertain to the academic year.

Books and Supplies
You may request a budget increase for book and supply costs by submitting all receipts for expenses which exceed the standard budget allowance.  The graduate budget allowance is $1,941 for books and supplies.

Special Expenses for Students with Disabilities
We will consider documented expenses related to the education of students with disabilities.

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