Financial Aid - Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students

Applying for Financial Aid

What types of financial aid can I apply for?
There are four main types of need-based financial aid: 1) grants, that is, outright grants of money that do not have to be repaid, 2) federal loans including subsidized, unsubsidized and Grad PLUS 3) alternative loans, which are funded by outside lenders, and 4) law school loans, which may be granted in cases of hardship when a student cannot meet their need through other aid. You can apply for all four types of aid through our office. For more information on each of these types and other sources of financial aid, visit Forms of Aid. There is also some merit aid, described below, distributed by the Admissions Office.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Please read through our step by step application instructions and additional information about applying for financial aid.

When do I apply for financial aid?
The earliest that you can apply is January 1st, 2008 for the upcoming summer or fall semesters.

Is there a financial aid deadline for first-year law students?
No, there is not a financial aid deadline for first-year law students; you can apply right up to the start of the school year, if you wish. Of course, the sooner we have your completed application, the sooner we can issue your award letter. Our continuing students, however, have a firm financial aid application deadline in May of each year.

When will I receive my award letter?
We begin processing financial aid requests in mid-February. You must be admitted to the Law School and your financial aid file must be complete before we can process your request. You should receive an e-mail with your award amount from us no later than two weeks from the date your financial aid application is complete. If you have not heard from us after two weeks of submitting all your information, please follow up with our office by e-mail at lawfinaid@umich.edu or phone at 734-764-5289.

Am I at a disadvantage because I was admitted late in the spring or during the summer?
Absolutely not! Candidates who receive offers late in the admissions cycle receive consideration for need-based grants and loans on exactly the same terms as those admitted earlier in the season.

Do I have to include parental information with my financial aid application?
If you are applying for loans only, then parental information is not required.  If you are applying for need-based grants, and your parents claimed you as a dependent for tax purposes in any of the years from 2002-2006, then you must complete the parental information sections of the Need Access application, and provide us with a signed copy of your parents' 2007 federal tax return including schedules.

What if my parents are reluctant to submit their financial information?
You can apply for loans without your parents' information. Further, if you have not been declared as a dependent in any of the years from 2002-2006, we can consider you for grant assistance without your parents' information. Unfortunately, you cannot be considered for need-based grants, if your parents claimed you as a dependent in any of the years from 2002-2006, if they do not submit their information. If their concern is confidentiality, rest assured that we enforce strict policies to keep all financial information secure. If your parents are still uncertain or have questions, please encourage them to contact us.

If your parents will not submit their financial information because your relationship with them is estranged or there are highly unusual circumstances, there is an appeal process to have their information waived. We require a letter from you explaining your relationship with your parents along with two letters of support from close friends, relatives, counselors, clergy, or anyone else (other than a spouse) who can attest to your situation. This appeal is forwarded to a faculty committee for determination.

Will you accept a copy of my 2006 federal tax return since my 2007 return isn't ready?
Unfortunately, we cannot process your application without this year's federal tax return, nor can we give you an estimate of what your award might be. Before your current return is ready, though, we suggest compiling all of the other application information and forwarding it to our office (anytime after January 1st), which will accelerate your award processing time.

Will you accept a copy of my parents' 2006 federal tax return since their 2007 return isn't ready?
Yes, we will accept a copy of your parents' federal tax return from last year if they have not yet filed this year's return. Please submit your parents' current federal tax return as soon as it is available.

What if I don't have copies of my tax returns for the relevant years?
You can either request a transcript from the IRS (Form 4506 T) or you can submit the first page of your parents' tax returns for the last five years to show that they have not claimed you as a dependent for tax purposes.

Am I required to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes, in order to be considered for financial aid you must apply each year. Happily, since we award three year aid packages, we will not be asking you to provide us with updated information on your assets or your parent's income and assets after your first year. You only will need to provide us with your and your spouse's income and summer expenses, an updated FAFSA and a new tax return every year. A reminder will be sent to you by e-mail with application instructions prior to the financial aid deadline for the upcoming year.

Under what circumstances might my financial aid award change in future years?
Your financial aid is awarded for three years, so in many circumstances, it will not change.  However, awards can be decreased or increased based on changes in your and your spouse's income and expenses.  For example, an award might be decreased due to large summer earnings.

Alternative Loans

Does the Law School recommend any alternative lenders to bridge the gap between federal student loans, grants, and scholarships and the cost of attendance?
Please see our sample list of alternative loan providers, loan comparison chart/FAQ, which provides details. You may, of course, borrow from the lender of your choice.

Computer Loans

Are computer loans available?
Yes, but only first-year students may increase their student budgets to accommodate the purchase of a computer and printer. The first step is to submit documentation to the Financial Aid Office reflecting the cost of the computer and printer. Appropriate documentation includes a receipt, advertisement, or an online quote. Then, you must choose a private lender (not Stafford or Grad PLUS); see the loan comparison chart/FAQ for information on lenders. Once you select a lender, submit a separate application for the computer loan, which cannot exceed $2,400. It is very important to note that the computer purchase must be made no more than 30 days prior to the first day of classes.

Scholarships

Do you offer any merit-based scholarships?
While the University of Michigan Law School devotes most of its financial aid funds to applicants who have demonstrated financial need, we do also offer some merit awards. The Admissions Office administers our two merit aid programs: Darrow Scholarships, which cover as much as full tuition plus a stipend, are awarded to approximately 14 members of each entering class selected by the faculty in reflection of the recipient's outstanding scholastic achievements as well as the sense that they will one day go on to a remarkable career; Dean's Scholarships are smaller awards, offered to those whose academic achievements and demonstrated leadership promise significant contributions to both the Law School and the legal profession. All admitted applicants will be considered for merit-based aid, and no separate application is required. If you have additional questions about merit aid, please contact the Admissions Office at 734.764.0537 or by e-mail to law.jd.admissions@umich.edu.

Where can I find information on outside scholarships?

If you receive an outside scholarship, in most cases it will not decrease grant assistance from us, so it is definitely worthwhile to pursue outside funding.

Tuition

What is the cost of Law School tuition?
Tuition rates for the current academic year are available, but rates for next year will not be available until the Regents of the University of Michigan meet in July.  Estimates for next year are available in our budget sheet.

When is tuition due?
Summer tuition is due May 31st; fall tuition is due August 31st; and winter tuition is due January 7th.

What forms of payment are acceptable?
The University of Michigan accepts cash, check, and online payments. We cannot accept credit card payments. For further information visit the Student Financial Operations Web site.

Disbursements

When will I receive my financial aid disbursement?
Typically, each of your financial aid sources (grants and loans) will be available on the first day of classes of each semester for which you are enrolled. Your financial aid will be applied directly to your student account, and any excess funds will be refunded directly to you.

How will I receive my refund?
The fastest, most convenient way to receive your refund is by direct deposit. We strongly encourage you to set up direct deposit with the Payroll Office by completing the direct deposit authorization form. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your refund will be mailed to the current address that is listed on Wolverine Access.

Non-U.S. Citizen JD Students

What types of financial aid are available for non-U.S. citizen JD students?
Non-U.S. citizen students who are pursuing their JD can apply for need-based grants through the Financial Aid Office. Application instructions are available. Even though non-U.S. citizen students are not eligible for Federal Stafford loans, there are alternative loan programs to help fund their education. Our non-U.S. citizen sample loan comparison chart/FAQ provides an overview for several lenders.

Since my family is from a different country and we are not required to file a U.S. tax return, should I fill out an affidavit?
You will not need to fill out an affidavit, but we need your country's equivalent to a U.S. tax return for the appropriate year. Please submit this equivalent tax form with the monetary amounts converted to U.S. dollars. If you are not required to file any type of income statement, U.S. or otherwise, then a non-U.S. citizen affidavit can be submitted. The Need Access form must also be completed, converting your currency to U.S. dollars.

Transfer Students

What types of financial aid are available for transfer students?
Transfer students are eligible for need-based grants and loans on exactly the same terms as all other second-year students, but they are not eligible for merit-based aid. Step by step application instructions and additional information about applying for financial aid are available.