Tuition and Credit Information

2026-2027 Academic Year
Cost per credit $1,875*
Total credits 24
Estimated tuition $45,000
Deposit $500 (waived for veterans)
Additional annual fees
  • Books and course materials: $1,496 (estimated)
  • MBE support fee: $120 (varies by course)**
  • Health services fee: $965
  • UCSHIP insurance premium (waivable): $6,590***

*All MLS units are billed at $1,875 per unit. Full-time enrollment is 10 units per semester. Students must complete a minimum of 24 units to earn the MLS degree. Tuition and Fees are subject to legislative, gubernatorial, and UC Law SF Board of Directors action and may change without notice.

**MLS students will be charged the MBE Support Fee if they are enrolled in a course that requires the use of AdaptiBar (a tool for subjects that are tested on the California Multiple Choice Question Bar Examination/MBE). Students who are enrolled in a course that utilizes AdaptiBar in the Spring semester and not in Fall semester will be charged the MBE Support Fee in the Spring semester.

***The University of California requires all enrolled students to have health insurance coverage. Students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP). Students who can demonstrate that their health insurance meets the University of California’s minimum criteria may request a waiver from UCSHIP. Students who have successfully waived out of UCSHIP will not be charged the Health Services Fee and will not have access to Carbon Health as a student. Students who are enrolled in UCSHIP must pay the Health Services Fee and will have access to Carbon Health.

Financial Aid

We are committed to making the MLS program accessible for working professionals. UC Law San Francisco participates in federal financial aid programs.

For detailed guidance on federal and private loans, contact the UC Law SF Financial Aid Office. For any other questions about funding your degree, contact an enrollment specialist who can walk you through your options.

Effective July 1, 2026, the national Grad PLUS Loan Program will end for new borrowers. Students who received a Grad PLUS Loan prior to this date for their current graduate program may continue borrowing for up to three additional years or until their program concludes, whichever comes first. Eligible graduate students enrolling in a Masters program for the first time after July 1, 2026 can borrow up to $20,500 per academic year, with a maximum aggregate borrowing limit of $100,000.

Full-time and part-time students (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only) must be enrolled in at least 5 credits in a given term to be eligible for federal financial aid. Students taking fewer than 5 credits are not eligible for federal loans but may explore alternative financing options.

Eligible Master of Legal Studies (MLS) students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must apply for federal financial aid each academic year.

UC Law SF FAFSA Code: G03947

Students who wish to borrow private student loans are encouraged to visit the Private Student Loans section of our educational loans page and should note the UC Law SF Preferred Lenders List. The choice of lender rests solely with the student and students will need to meet lenders’ credit requirements.

For more information on federal student loans and financing options, please visit our educational loans page.

Through our partnership with the AccessLex Institute, students can explore the AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank with over 800 scholarship opportunities and writing competitions.

Employer Discounts

UC Law SF offers several tuition discounts for eligible applicants, including:

  • 75% for UC Law SF employees
  • 30% for UC affiliates and City & County of San Francisco employees
  • 25% for County of San Mateo and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) employees
  • 10% for companies with AllCampus Workplace education benefits

Note that employer tuition discounts can not be stacked. Students receive the larger discount they are eligible for.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Many employers also offer their own tuition assistance programs, educational benefits, or professional development funds. To explore your options, we encourage you to speak with your employer about using workplace benefits to fund your degree.

AllCampus Workplace Network Discount

The AllCampus Workplace Network offers exclusive tuition reductions and scholarships to support working professionals. Through UC Law SF’s partnership with AllCampus, eligible employees of participating organizations receive a 10% tuition discount on the MLS.

Our enrollment specialists are here to help you understand if a discount is available. To learn more, email an enrollment specialist at mlsprogram@uclawsf.edu or call (415) 849-9748.

UC Law SF is proud to support our military service members, veterans, and their families as they pursue their academic and career goals. Whether you are active duty, a veteran, or a military spouse, our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program offers flexible learning formats, a supportive community, and access to valuable VA educational benefits.

VA Educational Benefits

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

We accept a range of VA benefits, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30), and more. The Office of the Registrar is your primary contact for benefit certification and can guide you through the required paperwork, including:

  • Veteran’s Certification Request form
  • Certificate of Eligibility
  • For Chapter 31, your VR&E counselor’s contact information

Cost-of-Living Waivers

Veterans, service members, and other military-affiliated students may also benefit from cost-of-living allowances when taking in-person courses, though no formal discount is in place.

For questions about these allowances or any tuition benefits, please reach out to an enrollment specialist.

How to Apply for Benefits

To determine your eligibility, apply online via the VA website. Once enrolled at UC Law SF, the Registrar’s Office will certify your enrollment to the VA.

Learn more about eligibility, required forms, and additional support services on our VA educational benefits page. An enrollment specialist can also walk you through what the admissions process looks like for military service members and veterans. Connect with one by requesting more information.

We’re Here To Answer Your Questions

Feeling lost? Schedule a personalized advising session. The Financial Aid Office invites admitted students and current students to reach out for individualized loan counseling. Learn more by visiting our website.

Have general questions? Check our website. Find answers to common questions about financing your education, including general financial aid policies, how to apply through the FAFSA, managing your aid through student self-service, and understanding available loan options.

Want to read through policies or need a specific form? We have a page for that too. There are several resources and forms available to help guide you through the process. Visit our website for specific resources and a how-to-video for financial aid self-service.

For anything and everything else financial aid-related, we’ve got you covered. Financial aid can be reached at (415) 565-4624 or FinancialAid@uclawsf.edu.