Health Insurance
As part of your package, your student health fee, vision, and dental insurance fee will be covered by your financial package for up to five years (six years for clinical students due to their additional year of internship). Your insurance will be under SHIP/Aetna, Delta Dental PPO, and EyeMed Vision Care. You will be automatically enrolled once you are registered for classes. Your insurance will begin on August 15, 2026 and end on August 14, 2027. Then it will renew as long as you are enrolled in classes. Note that Fall 2026 information may not be updated yet until April. Review the link below for immunization and document requirements before attending classes.
You may reach out to any of the student health advisors for more detailed information at (213) 740-9355 (WELL).
Parking
USC offers various modes of transportation from shuttles to our other campuses to free bus passes.
USC Transportation
620 McCarthy Way
(McCarthy Structure)
Los Angeles, CA 90089
T: (213) 740-3575
Off-Campus Housing
For those interested in living off campus, here are some recommended neighborhoods shared by a member in GASP:
If you are interested in possibly living with another PhD student off-campus, you may contact jennivo@usc.edu to send any advertisements from students who also have interest. Additionally, a PhD student volunteer can connect with you if you need help with LA housing ideas.
Beware of frauds and scams. Below is a link offering tips on avoiding scams.
Students most commonly live on the West Side (such as Culver City, Mid-City, and Santa Monica), Downtown LA, or in Koreatown. The West Side is popular for its convenient access to the Expo Line, which runs directly to campus, while Downtown also offers strong metro access and shuttle options. Koreatown, located just north of campus, is often the more affordable choice.
On-Campus Housing
The majority of the students live off campus, and there are a couple of students within the program that house together. However, there is a choice to live on campus for graduate students, which can be seen on the USC Housing Portal.
Additionally, Dornsife works with USC Housing to offer graduate students fully furnished and convenient apartments at competitive rates in Troy East.
Note that USC Housing applications are satisfied by a first-come, first-serve basis on application date. Priority will be given to students submitting their applications to USC Housing by April 18. Housing applications will continue to be accepted after April 18 and assignments will be made on a space available basis.
Return to PhD Onboarding Homepage.