Financial Aid: Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Students

Applying for Financial Aid

What types of financial aid can I apply for?
All applicants are considered for merit-based aid , which does not require a separate application. There are three main types of financial aid for which you can apply: 1) grants, that is, outright grants of money that do not have to be repaid, 2) federal loans including subsidized, unsubsidized and Grad PLUS, and 3) private loans, which are funded by outside lenders. You can apply for all three types of aid through our office. For more information on each of these types and other sources of financial aid, visit Forms of Aid.

How do I apply for financial aid?
Please read through our application instructions for additional information.

When do I apply for financial aid?
The earliest that you can apply is January 1st, 2009 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 however, tuition for your first semester will be due in full by the first day of classes. 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 three 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?
No.

Am I required to submit my tax return to your office? If you are eligible for need-based grants, we will need your 2008 federal tax return before we can disburse your funds.

Am I required to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes, in order to be considered for federal aid you must complete a new FAFSA each year. Happily, since we award three year aid packages, we will not be asking you to provide us with any additional information.

Under what circumstances might my financial aid award change in future years?
Your financial aid is awarded for three years, so your aid will not decrease. It is possible that your aid could increase if you work in eligible public interest jobs over the summer before your third year of law school.

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?
A detailed computer loan FAQ is available for further information.

Scholarships

Do you offer any merit-based scholarships?
While the University of Michigan Law School devotes many of its financial aid funds to applicants who have demonstrated financial need, we do also offer 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; we also offer Dean's Scholarships, which vary in size, and are 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. In cases where no merit aid has been offered, the Financial Aid Office is occasionally able to take financial aid offers from competing schools into account.

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 June.  Estimates for next year will be available in February in our budget sheet.

When is tuition due?
Summer tuition is due at the end of May; fall tuition is due at the end of August; and winter tuition is due early January.

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 are considered for merit-based aid from the Admissions Office. Additionally applicants can apply for need-based grants through the Financial Aid Office. Please note non-U.S. citizen students are not eligible for Federal Stafford loans or Grad PLUS, and private loan programs typically require a U.S. cosigner. 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.