Admission

Paying for Dental School

Tuition and Fees

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC is committed to helping students identify the resources they need to obtain a dental education. Ostrow considers the financing of a student’s education to be a commitment involving the student, his or her family (including parents and/or spouse) and the school. Financial aid at USC is awarded on the basis of determined financial need and the availability of funds. Aid may be in the form of a scholarship or grant, loans and/or student employment.

 

Tuition and mandatory fees are payable the first week of each trimester (September, January, May) and is the same for resident and non-resident students. A large percentage of USC dental students receive financial assistance. Students may apply for a variety of financial aid based on need and ability. Financial need is usually met through a combination of state and federal loans, private loans, personal resources and family support.

 

The preceding budget represents estimates of expenses which will be used as a guide in evaluating a student’s financial need and also in the distribution of financial aid. Dental, extra medical costs, car payments, debts, charge accounts, spouse’s education and child care cost are not figured into these budgets. Estimated standard budgets are based on a single person, living off-campus (Not living on campus or in University owned housing.) Amounts will vary depending on individual lifestyles.

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-2025

DEGREE PROGRAMS
Cost of Attendance 2024-2025

 

Direct Costs*Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4
Tuition$119,313$119,313$119,313$79,542
Student Health Center Fee$1,300$1,300$1,300$1,300
Mandatory Health Insurance$3,040$3,040$3,040$3,040
Grad Student Programming Fee$80$80$80$80
Topping Student Aid Fund$22$22$22$22
Graduate Orientation Fee$75$0$0$0
ASDA/CDA Membership $102$102$102$102
Transportation Fees$351$351$351$234
Dental Disability Insurance$53$53$53$53
Instrument Management System Fee$5,607 $5,607$5,607$3,738
Dental Loupes & Light$1,500$0$0$0
Dental Equipment/Textbooks$9,154$4,263$0$0
Scrubs Fee$420$0$0$0
Dental Gown Usage Fee$165$165$165$110
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$141,182$134,296$130,033$88,221
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4
Room and Board$26,461$26,461$26,461$26,461
Transportation$3,553$3,553$3,553$3,553
Personal/Misc.$3,496$3,496$3,496$3,496
Estimated Cost of Attendance$174,692$167,806$163,543$121,731

 

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-2025

Cost of Attendance 2024-2025

 

Direct Costs*Year 1Year 2
Tuition$119,313$119,313
Student Health Center Fee$1,300$1,300
Mandatory Health Insurance$3,040$3,040
Student Programming Fee$80$80
Topping Student Aid Fund$22$22
Orientation Fee$75$0
ASDA/CDA Fees$102$102
Transportation Fee$351$351
Disability insurance$53$53
Instrument Management System Fee$5,607$5,607
Dental Equipment/Textbooks$11,884$0
Scrubs Fee$420$0
Dental Gown Usage Fee$165$165
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$142,412$130,033
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2
Room and Board$26,461$26,461
Transportation$3,553$3,553
Personal/Misc$3,496$3,496
Estimated Cost of Attendance$175,922$163,543

 

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-2025

INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE 


CONTACT

Sergio Estavillo

(213) 740-2841

DESCRIPTION

 

For accepted PhD students, tuition, health and dental benefits are fully covered by either the university or the Ostrow School of Dentistry in addition to a stipend or living allowance. The stipend is based on the acceptable cost of living in Los Angeles and may vary from year to year as dictated by the University. In some cases, through various internal scholarships, fellowships or government sponsored allowances, this stipend may be above the university minimum.

 

For MS students, there is currently no default mechanism to cover program costs. Applicants are required to show proof that they can assume financial responsibility of all costs associated with the program.

 

To help in your planning, you may wish to review USC’s Financial Aid for Graduates and Professionals website or contact Sergio Estavillo in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Office of Financial Aid at (213) 740-2841 or estavill@usc.edu.

POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
STIPEND

This program does not provide a stipend.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs*Year 1Year 2
Tuition$114,963$114,963
Instrument Management System Fee$3,052$2,803
Instruments/Textbooks$21,306$0
Lab Fee$6,504$6,504
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200
Dental Gown Usage Fee $165$165
Disability Insurance $53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$149,945$128,390
Allowances for Indirect Costs Year 1Year 2
Room and Board$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$182,817$161,262 
Stipend

Stipend amount: $56,830

Benefits package: Determined by department

 

Cost of Attendance GPR 2023-2024
Direct Costs*
Tuition $0
Health Insurance$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200
Disability Insurance$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total Direct Costs $3,955
Allowances for Indirect Costs
Room and Board$26,040
Transportation$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328
Total Indirect Costs $32,872
Estimated Cost of Attendance$36,827

*= Fall and Spring fees only. Summer fees to be determined.

 

STIPEND

This program does not provide a stipend.

 

U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents are eligible to apply for financial aid. For more information, please visit Graduate & Professional Prospective Students-USC Financial Aid.


Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2
Tuition$65,217$65,217
Instruments/Textbooks$10,620$0
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200
Disability Insurance$53$53
Dental Gown Usage Fee $165$165
IMS Fee$3,052$2,613
*All costs are mandatory
Total Direct Costs$83,009$71,950
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2
Room and Board$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$115,881$104,822

*= Fall and Spring fees only. Summer fees to be determined.

 

Students are required to have an intraoral camera, computer and magnifying optical lens.

STIPEND

Residents receive a monthly stipend during training.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024
Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4
Tuition$0$0$0$0
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200$1,200$1,200
Disability insurance$53$53$53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total Direct Costs$3,955$3,955$3,955$3,955
Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4
Room and Board$26,040$26,040$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$36,827$36,827$36,827$36,827

*=Fall and Spring fees only. Summer to be determined.

STIPEND

The program does not provide a stipend.

COST OF ATTENDANCE 2024-2025

The program’s tuition is waived. 

FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS (MANDATORY FEES — SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Year 1: $7,055

Year 2: $5,515

 
STIPEND

This program does not provide a stipend.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2Year 3
Tuition$114,963$114,963$76,642
Instrument Management System Fee$1,158$1,158$772
Dental EquipmentPlease contact
your department.
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200$1,200
Disability Insurance$53$53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$120,076$120,076$81,369
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3
Room and Board$26,040$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$152,948$152,948$114,241

 

STIPEND

A stipend is available after the first year of the program.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2
Tuition$95,803$0
Instrument Management System Fee$2,613$0
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200
Dental Gown Usage Fee $165$0
Disability insurance$53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$102,536$3,955
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2
Room and Board$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$135,408$36,827 
STIPEND

This program does not provide a stipend.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2Year 3
Tuition$114,963$114,963$95,803
Instrument Management System Fee$2,803$2,803$968
Dental EquipmentPlease contact
your department.
Gown Usage Fee$165$165$165
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200$1,200
Disability Insurance$53$53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$121,886$121,886$100,891
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3
Room and Board$26,040$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$154,758$154,758$133,763 
STIPEND

This program does not provide a stipend.

 

Cost of Attendance 2023-2024

 

Direct Costs* Year 1Year 2Year 3
Tuition$114,963114,963$95,803
Instrument Management System Fee$3,052$2,803$772
Dental Equipment$18,683$0$0
Gown Usage Fee$165$165$165
Health Insurance$2,702$2,702$2,702
Student Health Center Fee$1,200$1,200$1,200
Disability insurance$53$53$53
*All costs are mandatory
Total School Costs$140,818$121,886$100,695
Allowances for Indirect CostsYear 1Year 2Year 3
Room and Board$26,040$26,040$26,040
Transportation$3,504$3,504$3,504
Personal/Misc$3,328$3,328$3,328
Estimated Cost of Attendance$173,690$154,758$133,567

Special Circumstances

If you would like the Financial Aid Office to consider any special financial circumstances, you may submit supporting documentation and appeal to request an adjustment to your financial aid package. You must submit your request during the academic year in which the event occurred.

 

Following are the categories of special circumstances appropriate to instigate re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibility.

INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE


DESCRIPTION

The Financial Aid Office will consider an increase in your financial aid eligibility if your monthly rent exceeds the USC standard allowance. The USC standard allowance for graduate students is $1,200/month. Please submit the following:

 

  • A copy of your current lease agreement

 

INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
DESCRIPTION

 

Please submit the following items to be considered for an increase in your eligibility:

 

  • A letter itemizing the expenses incurred or requested
  • Receipt(s) to show items(s) purchased or printout (such as from a website) showing price of items to be purchased
INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
DESCRIPTION

 

The Financial Aid Office will consider an increase in your financial aid eligibility for dental equipment purchases (e.g. dental loupes, gold for fixed prost, etc.). Please submit the following documentation:

 

  • A copy of purchase receipt or invoice
INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
DESCRIPTION

 

The Financial Aid Office will consider an increase in your financial aid eligibility for required child care expenses. Please submit the following:

 

  • Letter identifying the child’s name and age as well as the name of the child care provider and the days/hours that child care is provided
  • A copy of the contract verifying child care expenses

 

Please note that if the student is married and the spouse is not employed, the Financial Aid Office will also require a letter from the student stating why child care is required.

INFO

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
DESCRIPTION

 

The Financial Aid Office will consider an increase in your financial aid eligibility for non-elective medical expenses not covered by insurance. Please submit the following:

 

  • Itemization of expenses incurred
  • Statements, receipts or other documentation to show amount of expense covered by insurance
  • Letter from the physician supporting the treatment

Student Visas (ASPID) 

info

Office of Graduate Admission
CONTACT US
description

 

Once ASPID students have been officially accepted to USC, we will issue a form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility, which they must then present when they apply for a visa at the U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country.

 

Before an I-20 can be processed, ASPID students must present a notarized statement of financial support indicating the sponsor’s name, address and source of income. This document must be verified by a bank stamp or the United States Consul for tuition and expenses for one year ($93,000) to the Office of Graduate Admission and the Ostrow Office of Admissions.

 

If students wish to include spouses and/or dependents on their visa, please attach a separate 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper to your financial statement that includes:

 

  • Full names
  • Dates of birth
  • Country of citizenship
  • Country of birth
  • Relationship to ASPID student

 

ASPID students must document in their financial statement that they have additional funds of $7,200 for a spouse and $3,600 per dependent.

NIH T90 Training Grant (PhD)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Ostrow with a training grant (T90/R90) whose primary objective is to provide PhD candidates and postdoctoral trainees with a broadened, interdisciplinary research experience in a research-intensive university setting. At any one time, the training grant will support four PhD students and five postdoctoral trainees.

 

If you are exceptionally motivated and have thought about pursuing research that addresses oral health problems or aspire to a long-term career in academic or clinical dentistry where you can pursue teaching, research and service at one of the nation’s finest dental schools, consider Ostrow’s craniofacial biology program.

 

We are looking for promising investigators who seek research and training opportunities in craniofacial and oral biology, biomineralization, cell biology, clinical trials/experimentation, developmental biology, cytokine biology, biomaterials, tissue engineering, neuroscience, immunology, microbial molecular genetics and periodontology.

 

The T90/R90 training grant prepares recipients to become next-generation leaders and cutting-edge academic dental researchers who are prepared to generate new discoveries that identify, prevent, treat and cure diseases and abnormalities of the oral and craniofacial complex. The goal of this program is to help meet the growing need for research scholars in U.S. dental schools and to produce competent, independent scientists who are able to initiate and maintain funded research programs that will improve world health.


TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH NIH T90/R90 GRANT

PhD training and non-degree postdoctoral fellowship focuses primarily but not exclusively on scientists who seek advanced training in all aspects of oral biology and oral pathology.

 

With an emphasis on translational laboratory investigations and independent research, students will thrive in an integrated curriculum that includes mentoring, scientific advancement, academic career development, publication and grantsmanship. We provide training that is tailored to each candidate while maintaining a focus on skeletal, craniofacial and oral biology through symposiums, seminars, courses, clinical research centers and collaborative research.

 

Students have the opportunity to work with one or more of 40 USC faculty mentors from Ostrow, Keck School of Medicine of USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

 

Stipends and Awards

Full stipend, tuition award, health insurance and other benefits are available to support PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows for one to two years during their training. Postdoctoral scholars are generally supported by the research funds of individual faculty members in addition to the NIH T90/R90 training grant. Accepted students are also eligible to receive support for supplies and travel to research related seminars.

 

Career Planning: Mentoring Future Leaders

Most postdoctoral trainees should be able to look forward to their first faculty appointment or position during or soon after completing the supported training fellowship. Mentors are committed to helping students attain the skills necessary to successfully transition from scholar to independent investigator working in an academic or corporate environment.  Faculty fully recognize the importance of imparting their scientific knowledge to prepare bright, motivated students for a future in translational biomedical sciences related to craniofacial development, oral health, disease and treatments.

 

Research

The program is based at the state-of-the-art Center for Craniofacial and Molecular Biology, although scholars can conduct their research in a wide variety of laboratories around any of USC’s campuses or at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which encompasses many disciplines.  Research areas include but are not limited to:

 

  • Embryonic stem cell research
  • Tissue engineering
  • Neuroscience and physiology
  • Genetics and gene regulation
  • Extracellular matrix
  • Biomaterials
  • Oral, microbial and mucosal disease
  • Cancer and molecular medicine







                                                              

                            

                            

                                                    

                            

                                

                                    

                                        

                                            

                    							                                               Scholarships                                                                                            

                                        

                                    

                                

                            

                        

                                                    

                            

                              

                                                                    

                                  
The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC has an online scholarship database where you can apply for more than $2 million in awards.


 


Access the scholarship application on the USC Scholarship Universe portal.


 



Being Prepared


    

  • Have a copy of your undergraduate and dental school transcripts on-hand
    • 

  • Have a list of your community outreach activities
    • 



Note: In order to achieve a holistic evaluation of each applicant, application emphasis is focused on multiple areas, including academic standing, community outreach involvement, research and leadership.


 



Scholarship Application Timeline


    

  • Applications open in August
    • 

  • Recipients of renewable scholarships will receive the funds in September if they remain in good academic standing and have no ethical violations.
    • 

  • Decisions for new recipients will be made and communicated to students via email in December
    • 



 


For questions contact the Ostrow Office of Financial Aid at uscsdfa@usc.edu or (213) 740-2861.


 


To be eligible to receive or renew scholarships at Herman Ostrow, you must:


    

  • Act in a manner consistent with the ethical and professional behaviors expected of students of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Therefore, if the Student Professional Performance Evaluation Committee (SPPEC) finds any student guilty of an ethical or professional violation of the School’s Code of Ethics and Behavioral Guidelines or if a student pleads guilty to an allegation, that student is automatically ineligible for any award  in subsequent scholarship cycles.  In order to be considered for any future awards during the next available cycle, the student must submit an appropriate scholarship application for consideration by the Scholarship Committee.
    • 

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
    • 

  • Annually submit an Ostrow scholarship application.
    • 

  • Those recipients that do not meet the renewal requirements may apply in the subsequent year and enter the general pool and be considered for other Ostrow endowed scholarship opportunities.
    • 




                                                              

                            

                            

                                                    

                            

                        

                                                

                            

                                

                                    

                                        

                                            

                    							                                               Financial Aid (Certificate Programs)                                                                                            

                                        

                                    

                                

                            

                        

                                                    

                            

                              

                                                                    
INFO

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
FINANCIAL AID FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS


NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS (USCONNECT)
CONTINUING GRADUATE STUDENTS (MYUSC)
LOANS
NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN DATA SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS (NSLDS)
CREDIT REPORT



                                  
DESCRIPTION


 


A dental education is a significant financial investment. Ostrow is committed to ensuring that all eligible students have access to the financial aid programs they need to achieve their educational goals.


 


Once you have submitted your application to the certificate program of your choice, you may begin the financial aid application process.


 


If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident:


Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


Some helpful information for completing FAFSA:


 


    

  • Be sure to note the most current deadlines for submission.
    • 

  • Use your best estimate of your income from the previous calendar year.
    • 

  • USC’s Federal School Code is 001328.
    • 

  • If you wish to be considered for the Health Professions Student Loan Program (HPSL), complete the parental section of FAFSA.
    • 



 


If you are an international student:


New repayment options for federal student loans have made financial aid repayment easier. Income-based repayment, unlike traditional payment plans, takes your income and family size into account when your payment amount is calculated. This helps ensure repayment amounts will be reasonable, no matter what life after graduation may bring. Income-based repayment is available for new and existing federal student loans.


 


Financial Aid for International Students



                                                              

                            

                            

                                                        

                            

                              

                                                                    

                                  
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



                                                              

                            

                            

                                        

                                    

                                        

                                    
                                        

                                                                                        

                                                  
                                                  

                                                    

                                                      

                                                                                                                    

                                                              
Please visit Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) to determine whether any additional documents are required:


 


                                                          
 
                                                                                                                

                                                    

                                                  

                                                

                                            
                                                                                        

                                                  
                                                  

                                                    

                                                      

                                                                                                                    

                                                              
You can determine your application status by visiting Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST):


 


                                                          
 
                                                                                                                

                                                    

                                                  

                                                

                                            
                                                                                        

                                                  
                                                  

                                                    

                                                      

                                                                                                                    

                                                              
Directions to apply for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and/or the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan can be found at https://financialaid.usc.edu/loans/.

                                                          
 
                                                                                                                

                                                    

                                                  

                                                

                                            
                                                                                        

                                                  
                                                  

                                                    

                                                      

                                                                                                                    

                                                              
USC transmits enrollment status on a scheduled basis to the National Student Clearinghouse. Lenders/servicers are expected to access enrollment information from the Clearinghouse on a periodic basis, therefore automatically granting you an in-school deferment. But it is your responsibility to respond to lenders/servicers concerning any loan status change.

                                                          
 
                                                                                                                

                                                    

                                                  

                                                

                                            
                                                                                        

                                                  
                                                  

                                                    

                                                      

                                                                                                                    

                                                              
The National Student Loan Data System for Students (NSLDS) will capture federal student loan balances and lenders/servicers. Please note that it will not report the Health Professions Student Loan Program (HPSL) nor private, non-federal educational loan programs. To capture HSPL and/or private loan information, you may request your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.