Financial Aid
There are a variety of financial aid options available to qualifying students.
Our goal is to provide assistance and counseling to fit your needs so that you can focus on your law school education.
To view the current student cost of attendance financial aid budgets, based on academic programs, click here.
The student Cost of Attendance represents the estimated total cost to attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law for the academic year and also sets the maximum limit of financial aid that a student may receive from all sources of aid (scholarships, loans, work).
In addition to the various aid types available, students may set up installment plans in advance of payment deadlines to make tuition payments.
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Loans
Financial aid in the form of loans may be provided by either the federal government or private lenders. Interest accrues once the loan is disbursed. This type of financial aid must be repaid.
Federal Stafford Loans
Federal Stafford Loans are low interest loans available to eligible students in the JD program to assist them with costs related to their education. These loans are made by the federal government and are known as “Direct Stafford Loans”. The annual maximum Stafford loan for law students is $20,500.
The current interest rate for this loan is fixed at 8.08%. Repayment begins six months after the borrower graduates, leaves school, or drops to less than half-time enrollment. Since the entire Stafford loan is unsubsidized, interest accrual begins once the loan is disbursed.
To apply for a Federal Stafford loan, complete the Stafford loan request form or come in to the Financial Aid Office for more information.
Federal Graduate PLUS Loans
All eligible JD students may borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan in addition to the Stafford loan to help pay for living expenses. A credit check is required and performed by the federal government. You must be enrolled at least half-time, be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Permanent Resident, and pass the government’s credit check to be approved for the loan.
The interest rate is fixed at 9.08% and the loan is deferred while enrolled in law school. Your income and credit score will not affect your eligibility. The maximum amount is calculated to be the total cost of attendance minus any other financial aid. To apply for the Grad Plus loan, go to studentloans.gov
Private Loans
Private student loans are available to help defray the cost of attending the Graduate Programs. Students may choose any lender they wish.
Federal Work Study
Federal work study students can earn money at eligible on- or off-campus employment. Work study does not need to be repaid but is considered taxable income.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides students the opportunity to work part-time while attending law school. To qualify for a Federal Work-Study position, you must demonstrate financial need and have Federal Work-Study as a part of your financial aid offer. This need-based program is designed to provide jobs to help students with educational expenses. In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, the program requires that participants be in good academic standing. The pay rate for on campus Federal Work Study is $16.30 per hour.
To apply for Federal Work-Study complete the online student forms or come in to the Financial Aid Office for more information.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application must be completed if you intend to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Plus Loan, or Federal Work-Study. Thomas Jefferson School of Law must be listed as one of the schools to receive the information from the federal processor. The government will send the information electronically to the Law School’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.
The FAFSA is valid for one award year, which begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer term. Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s FAFSA school code is 013780.
Federal Student Aid Entrance Counseling
Federal law requires that all federal loan borrowers receive loan entrance counseling before your loans can be disbursed. Entering students and continuing students who are first-time borrowers must complete the mandatory entrance counseling session at www.studentaid.gov The online session will contain information on the student borrower’s rights and responsibilities. Electronic confirmation will be sent to the school by the Department of Education.
Federal Loan Master Promissory Note
To avoid disbursement delays the MPN is required for any first-time TJSL borrowers applying for a Federal Stafford Loan and Graduate PLUS loans.
All MPN’s are completed online at www.studentloans.gov
Scholarships
Institutional and outside scholarships are available to help cover or offset the cost of tuition. This type of financial aid does not need to be repaid.
Institutional Scholarships
Limited institutional scholarships are available for JD and LLM candidates:
Dean’s Scholarship
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the JD program are automatically considered for a full tuition merit-based scholarship based on the information provided throughout the admissions process. The scholarship is renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester.
Scholarship Amount:
100% Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility for Consideration:
- Must be admitted as a first-time law student to the JD program, meaning a student who has not completed at least one semester at TJSL or another law school’s JD program
- Must have a minimum score of 154 on the LSAT or at least 154 Verbal Reasoning and 152 Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE (General Test).
- If awarded a scholarship, must submit a scholarship deposit by the deadline provided in the award letter to accept the scholarship. The scholarship deposit will be applied toward applicable fees for the first semester.
Renewal:
Renews automatically with a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher, after each Fall and Spring semester.
Active Military & Veterans Opportunity Scholarship
Scholarship Amount:
50% Tuition Scholarship
Eligibility for Consideration:
- Must be admitted as a first-time law student to the JD program, meaning a student who has not completed at least one semester at TJSL or another law school’s JD program
- Must have a minimum test score of 147 on the LSAT or at least 147 Verbal Reasoning and 146 Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE (General Test).
- Must have at least a 2.500 cumulative undergraduate GPA
- Must submit an Application for Consideration and Verification
- Must be eligible for Educational VA Benefits including Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly Voc Rehab), Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill. Dependents are not eligible. Enrollment or graduation from a Military Academy alone, does not qualify an applicant for the scholarship.
- Must complete an Application for Certification and Verification and submit required documentation
- If awarded the scholarship, must submit a scholarship deposit by the deadline provided in the award letter to accept the award
Renewal
Renews automatically with a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher, after each Fall and Spring semester.
LLM Scholarship
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the LLM Program are automatically considered for scholarships of up to 50% of tuition. Scholarships are awarded based on an assessment of the applicant’s transcript and prior legal experience. Applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships and do not have to separately apply.
Scholarship Amount:
50% Tuition Scholarship
Renewal:
Renews automatically with a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher, after each Fall and Spring semester.
Outside Scholarships
Outside scholarships are provided by external sources such as law firms, legal affinity groups, or other philanthropist organizations or foundations. Many TJSL students receive outside scholarships.
Outside scholarships have varying requirements and deadlines, so make sure to review each application carefully. Questions about outside scholarship applications should be directed to the sponsor of the award. If you receive an outside scholarship, federal law requires you to report that to the Financial Aid Office as all resources are considered when determining eligibility and awarding financial aid.