Applicants can help ensure their financial aid applications are given maximum consideration by carefully reading this financial aid guide, following instructions on all financial aid forms, and submitting all materials to the Financial Assistance Office or the appropriate agency as early as possible.
| Eligibility Criteria | Required Documentation |
| Financial Aid Process | Determining Financial Need |
Eligibility Criteria
A TJSL student is eligible to receive federal financial aid if the student:
- is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student
- has financial need (for need-based aid only)
- is maintaining satisfactory progress according to the standards and practices of Thomas Jefferson School of Law as outlined in the Student Handbook
- does not owe a refund on a Pell Grant, Perkins Loan or SEOG
- is not in default on any student loan
- meets any additional requirements for aid received
The Financial Assistance Office will determine eligibility once the office has received the Federal Application for Financial Aid and the electronic FAFSA (see FAFSA below).
7 Steps to Financial Aid at Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Step 1
• You should file a FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
(Thomas Jefferson's school code is 013780 for question 86).
• After the FAFSA is processed, the Student Aid Report (SAR) can be accessed online by students at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. This typically takes 1-2 weeks.
• The financial aid office will receive an electronic copy of your FAFSA results. You do not need to send us a copy of your SAR. Our report is called an ISIR.
Step 2
• Students who want to receive Federal Stafford loans should complete a Stafford Loan Request Form. New loan borrowers must complete entrance loan counseling at http://www.edfund.org by selecting EdTEST.
Step 3
• To apply for additional Grad PLUS or alternative loans, you should initiate the application process on-line at your desired lender's web site. To view some lenders that participate in the Federal Loan Program, log onto ELMSelect and click on "Grad PLUS" or "Private Loan".
Step 4
• Students return, fax, or complete on-line, all required documents to Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
• Congratulations, your Financial Aid file is now complete!
Step 5
• Thomas Jefferson School of Law will send you an official award letter.
• You can now view your financial aid awards on IQ Web.(continuing students only)
Step 6
• Once we have received and processed all required forms, you will be contacted by EdFund to sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you are a first time borrower or have changed lenders, you are required to complete an MPN.
• To electronically sign your MPN, go to http://www.edfund.org/webapp.
Step 7
• All loans arrive at Thomas Jefferson School of Law through electronic funds transfer (EFT).
• If the total of your aid is greater than the charges you owe, a refund check will be issued to you according to the Business Office policies. If your eligibility has changed or your financial aid file is incomplete, we will place your funds on HOLD until all unresolved issues are complete. Be aware that clearing a hold on your account does not necessarily mean that you will immediately receive funds; it may be a few days from the time you clear your hold to the time you receive funds. For this reason, it is vital that your file be complete well in advance of the start of classes.
• Refund checks are available approximately one week from the scheduled disbursement date. Disbursement dates are the dates when funds are available to the institutions requesting funds, not when checks are available to students. For scheduled disbursement dates, check our "Financial Aid Calendar" at www.tjsl.edu/financial_aid_calendar .
Required Documentation
The following forms must be resubmitted each year. The forms are available in the Financial Assistance Office and must be dated on or after January 1 of each year. Any applicant seeking financial aid must complete and submit the following forms: Entering students note: The Financial Aid Office will not process an application until the student has been admitted for enrollment at Thomas Jefferson.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This need analysis form must be completed when the student is applying for a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Plus Loan, Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Work-Study. TJSL (code 013780) must be indicated on the form. The government will send the information electronically to TJSL's Financial Aid Office. They will also send a Student Aid Report (SAR) to the student. You may check on the status of your FAFSA by calling 1-800-4-FEDAID and selection option #1.
Stafford Loan Request Form
This form must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office to apply for a Federal Stafford loan.
Federal Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note
To avoid disbursement delays the MPN is required for any first-time TJSL borrower applying for a Federal Stafford Loan. Data necessary for the completion of this form will be electronically transmitted to the student's lender/guarantor who will guarantee the loan.
Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Each of the graduate PLUS lenders requires an application/promissory note before the loan will be approved.
Verification Form
Many students will be requested to certify the accuracy of information on their FAFSA in a process called Verification. Those who are required to do so will be sent a form, which must be completed and returned to the Financial Aid Office before they can receive any financial aid. Students who are selected will be notified about the documentation and deadlines for which they are responsible. The form may also be downloaded from this web site.
Additional Documentation
Occasionally, changes are made in government and private lending programs during the application process requiring the Financial Aid Office to collect additional information from students. A prompt reply to such a request is necessary to facilitate the disbursement of financial aid funds.
Determining Financial Need
Step 1: Cost of Education Budget
TJSL develops standard budgets based on average expenses (using student surveys, institutional costs, governmental agency statistics, and U.S Department of Education guidelines). Budget components include: tuition and fees; books and supplies; room and board; and personal and transportation expenses. The budgets vary according to living arrangements, enrollment status, and length of the award period. These budgets serve as a guide for reasonable expenses for a "modest standard of living" in order to treat students in like situations equally.
The budget represents the maximum amount of financial assistance that a student may receive from a combination of sources, not to exceed the program limits.
Tuition and Fees - Tuition and fee costs are determined by calculating the units a student is expected to complete in the award period. Fees include the mandatory fees as stated in the registration bulletin.
- Books and Supplies - TJSL uses the standard budget amount developed by the California Student Aid Commission for the book and supply element of the budget.
- Loan Fees - Loan guarantee and origination fees associated with each Stafford and PLUS Loan for which the student has applied is averaged using statistical information about TJSL students.
- Room and Board - The budget component is developed by using actual TJSL student survey responses.
- Personal - An average personal allowance is established by TJSL student survey responses.
- Transportation - An average transportation allowance is calculated with the use of TJSL student survey responses and student enrollment status.
Students may petition to have their individual budget adjusted to include the following expenses:
- Dependent Care - This allowance would include documentable expenses for dependent care during the period being financed.
- Disability Related Expenses - The budget for a disabled student may include an allowance for actual out-of-pocket expenses related to the student's special needs.
Budget adjustments are allowable on a case-by-case basis. Students who feel a budget adjustment would better reflect their personal situation may petition the matter to the Director of Financial Assistance.
Step 2: Determining Your Family Contribution
This is the amount you and your family are expected to contribute towards the total cost of education. This amount is determined by a standard formula called "federal methodology". Financial information, such as taxable and non-taxable income, assets, household size, and the number of family members in college, is used in this calculation, which determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The data used to calculate the EFC is collected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most of the data collected will be from the calendar year prior to the academic school year. For example, the 06/07 application collects income data from the 2005 tax year.
Step 3: Determining Your Financial Need
The staff in the Financial Assistance Office at TJSL calculates your "financial need" by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution from your Cost of Education (Budget). If there is a remaining balance, it is your Financial Need. Once the Financial Assistance Office has determined your financial need, an estimated award package will be prepared for you. You will receive a Notice of Eligibility and Awards that outlines the award package offered which includes disbursement information.
As funds arrive, the Financial Assistance Office verifies your continued eligibility for the disbursement. You will be notified as disbursements become ready for delivery. If, for some reason, you become ineligible for a disbursement, you will be notified of the situation and advised of any actions necessary to remedy the situation. It is imperative that you respond, as instructed, in a timely manner. Financial assistance funds often have limitations with respect to the time frame available to deliver funds. If TJSL is unable to deliver funds within the allotted time frame, the funds must be returned to the entity they came from. If this happens, the student may need to start the application process over again.