Q. What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
A. The priority consideration deadline is March 15th for incoming students and April 1st for continuing students. Students admitted after March 15th should complete their financial aid applications within two weeks of their offer of admission.
Q. What is your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Code?
A. B08083
Q. I inadvertently entered the main campus FAFSA Code (007015) on my application. Will the School of Law receive my FAFSA?
A. The School of Law will not be able to access your FAFSA. Please log back into your FAFSA at https://www.studentaid.gov and add our school code (B08083). Once our code is added, we will be able to download your FAFSA within several business days.
Q. There are two FAFSA academic years on the web. Which one should I complete?
A. The 2021-2022 FAFSA covers Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022 semesters. The 2022-2023 FAFSA covers Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023 semesters.
Q. My admission decision is currently pending. May I still apply for financial aid in the interim of the decision being made?
A. You may apply for financial aid while your admission application is under review. However, your financial aid application will not be reviewed until you are admitted.
Q. In addition to the FAFSA are there any additional financial aid documents I must complete?
A. You must complete:
- The UDC Law Financial Aid Application annually.
- The UDC Law Title IV Authorization Release for Non-Institutional Charges Form.
These forms may be downloaded from the Financial Aid Forms page. Once your file is reviewed, you will be notified by email if it is determined that additional documents are needed.
Q. Do you have a preferred lender?
A. The School of Law participates in the Direct Loan Program through the U.S. Department of Education. All Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans will be processed through this lender.
Q. What is the maximum loan amount I may receive each academic year?
A. As of July 1, 2012, graduate and professional students are eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans only. The maximum Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan per academic year is $20,500.
The Graduate PLUS Loan is credit-based and the maximum varies from student to student. Through this loan program students may borrow the difference between the school’s Cost of Attendance and the amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and other financial aid awarded.
Q. What are the current loan interest rates?
A. For loans disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.54% and Graduate PLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate of 7.54%. (Rates for the next period are released in spring.)
Q. What is the cost of attending UDC Law?
A. Please visit Cost of Attendance to view the full cost of attendance chart. Please note that this information is based on a 9-month attendance period (fall & spring semester). The summer cost of attendance is prorated based on a 3-month attendance period with tuition charged per credit-hour.
Q. Are scholarship awards renewed annually?
A. The School of Law awards several types of scholarships, including academic merit scholarships, non-academic merit scholarships, and need-based scholarships. Each scholarship recipient will receive an award letter that describes the nature and requirements, if any, of each scholarship awarded. In most cases, academic merit scholarships are renewable as long as the student maintains a required GPA, whereas need-based scholarships are not renewable and must be applied for annually.
Q. Are scholarships offered in the summer?
A. Institutional scholarships are not offered during the summer semester. Students who enroll at least half time (3 credits) during the summer semester may borrow loans to cover their tuition and living expenses. In addition, all eligible first year students, and as many upper level students as funding allows, may participate in the School of Law’s Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program, which provides a stipend to allow students to engage in public interest legal work during the summer.
Q. Where can I find additional information on financial aid disbursements and refunds?
A. Generally, disbursements occur approximately 10 days prior to the start of the semester. This time frame is applicable to students who are registered at the time of scheduled disbursements and have completed all financial aid requirements. Once the disbursement occurs, aid will first be applied to tuition/fees. Any remaining excess funds will be issued to the student in the form of a refund check. Refunds can be received either through direct deposit or a paper check which is mailed. Refunds processed through direct deposit typically takes 3-5 business days to be deposited; mailed checks may take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive. Refund checks should be used for educational related expenses such as books, supplies, housing, transportation, etc.