The University of Colorado at Boulder Law School

Financial Aid Basics

The first step in applying for financial aid is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. This application becomes available each January 1st. Our Title IV school code is (001370). The FAFSA determines your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and need-based scholarships. For full financial aid consideration your FAFSA must be filed by April 1.

In most instances a law student will be eligible for student aid funds to cover the total cost of attendance. For the academic year 2011-12, the 9 month cost of attendance is budgeted as $49,500 for resident students and $56,664 for non-resident students. The cost of attendance (budget) includes allowances for tuition and fees, books and supplies, rent and utilities, food, medical, transportation, and personal expenses. Please note that expenses for a vehicle (payments, insurance, repairs), credit card payments, and rent/utilities over $838 per month are not included. It is very important to keep your expenses within the budget.

To assist you in covering these expenses, financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study, and both Stafford and Graduate PLUS loans through the Direct Loan program.

More in-depth information can be found at the main University of Colorado Financial Aid website at http://www.colorado.edu/finaid/grad.html.

If you need additional assistance, you may call the law school financial aid counselor, Alan Schieve, at 303-492-0647 or the Office of Financial Aid at 303-492-5091 to speak to an advisor. Also, visit www.colorado.edu/bursar/financial_literacy/home.html to improve your financial literacy.

LOANS
The University of Colorado participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan program (Direct Loans). The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or other financial institution. You are automatically considered for a Direct Loan after submitting your FAFSA.  Most students will be eligible for the full Direct Stafford Loan amount of $20,500 per academic year and may apply for Direct Graduate PLUS loan up to the remaining cost of attendance each school year.

Please review these loan programs further at http://www.colorado.edu/law/admissions/financialaid/loans.htm

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
All admitted students will be considered for scholarships based on their application for admission. A separate scholarship application is not required. If you are awarded a grant and/or scholarship, this money will be credited to your student account at the time of billing. Please contact the Law School Admissions Office with questions about scholarships.

The Admissions Office also awards scholarship money to upperclass students each year. In the spring, a list of scholarships is posted on the law school website with instructions on how to apply. Those scholarships are based on a variety of qualifications; some are merit based, some are need-based, some are both need and merit based, and others are neither. Students are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they think they are eligible and qualify. The Admissions Office sends out an email in late winter alerting all students to the scholarship awarding timeline and process.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Additional questions? Call the Law School Admissions Financial Aid Office at 303-492-0647 or contact the Office of Financial Aid in Regent at 303-492-5091.

SPECIAL NOTES:
You must apply early and correctly to avoid delays in receiving your aid. It is best to apply by April 1st.

This information is subject to change without notice. It is intended as a general source of information about financial aid and is no way intended to state contractual terms.