Current Students Applying for Financial Aid 2009-2010

All information is strictly confidential. Please address inquiries to:

Financial Aid Office
The University of Michigan Law School
310 Hutchins Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
734.764.5289
lawfinaid@umich.edu

To apply for grants and Stafford loans, complete steps one and two as described below. To apply for Stafford loans only, complete just step one. 

All returning students who are applying for financial aid please note: the postmark deadline for submitting your financial aid application is Friday, May 15, 2009. The Law School Financial Aid Office will strictly adhere to this deadline for all grant aid applicants. Late applications WILL ONLY be processed after all on-time applicants have been considered and only if there are grant funds remaining. This deadline is also strongly recommended for Stafford loan applicants to ensure timely disbursement of financial aid before tuition is due.

1. Complete and submit a 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
We prefer that you complete the FAFSA form online to reduce errors and improve turn-around time. You can do this by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You may also receive a paper copy of the form by calling 800.433.3243 or by going to any university financial aid office. You and your spouse's information must be recorded on the FAFSA.

Request that a copy of the FAFSA report (SAR or ISIR) be released to the University of Michigan Law School, code # E00506. (Note that the rest of the University of Michigan uses a different number.) You must include the Law School's code on the FAFSA form; without it we will not be able to access your information. Be sure to retain a copy of the completed form for your records.

Student Aid Reports (SAR) are randomly selected by the Department of Education for verification. If your SAR is selected for verification, that will be stated on the student copy you receive. You will need to complete a Verification worksheet [PDF] and submit it along with your 2008 federal income tax return to the Law School Financial Aid Office.

2. Submit completed Summer Earnings Verification Form.
Using the Summer Earnings Verification Form, you will provide information about your expected income and expenses during the summer. You can complete and print the Summer Earnings Verification Form in PDF format. Also, at the end of the summer you will need to provide documentation of your earnings to the Law School Financial Aid Office. The Law School expects a minimum of $2,900 savings from summer employment. Variations in earnings/savings due to the type of legal employment are taken into account.

If you need Grad PLUS or private loans for the 2009-10 academic year, the right time to apply would be over the summer after you receive your award notice. At that time loan applications will be ready and you should have a better idea of how much to borrow. A link to a sample loan comparison chart will be included with your award notice and you will be able to compare lenders and apply for the loans.