The University of San Diego School of Law is committed to helping financially eligible students plan and pursue a legal education by providing a comprehensive financial aid program. The Financial Aid Office offers awards from a variety of sources, including institutional tuition scholarships, grants, loans, Work-Study programs, and the Federal Perkins Loan and Stafford Loan programs. In cases where a student's federal and institutional financial aid does not cover the cost of attendance, private loan programs may be available.
As educational costs continue to escalate, we realize that financing law school is an expensive endeavor. It is important to plan ahead and explore the various resources and financial aid opportunities outlined in this publication to assist you in attaining your goal of a legal education.
Entering students are automatically considered for need-based as well as merit-based scholarships. The policy of USD is to focus scholarship assistance on students with outstanding academic merit or promise and/or the greatest financial aid need. The majority of law students receive financial aid support in the form of loans. Historically, most law graduates' salaries within the legal profession have been able to support student loan debt.
Recognizing that our graduates have increasingly high educational debt burdens, USD has established a Loan Repayment Assistance Program in order to preserve freedom of career choice in public service jobs that typically have low salaries.
Beginning mid-March, admitted students who applied for financial aid will be notified via e-mail when their Offer of Financial Assistance is available online. Typical awards may contain a combination of funding, including loans, scholarships and/or Work-Study.
During the 2006-2007 academic year, approximately 85% of USD law students received some form of financial aid. The financial aid application process is separate from the admission process. Admission decisions are made without regard to ability to pay. To avoid missing deadlines, please apply for financial aid before you are notified of your admission to the USD School of Law.
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