The page outlines the policies and procedures set forth by the University of San Diego School of Law and the U.S. Department of Education governing Financial Aid Eligibility, Determination of Need, Financial Aid Notice Policies, and the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
For information on how to apply for financial aid, visit:
Financial Aid Eligibility
To qualify for student financial assistance, students must meet all the federal eligibility requirements. Students who do not meet these minimum standards will be advised by the Financial Aid Office that they are not eligible to receive financial aid under the Title IV programs. Students who receive this notification have the right to appeal the aid denial. All appeals will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Director. The Director will make a recommendation to the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid who will make the final decision.
- Be officially accepted by the School of Law Admissions Office or Graduate Programs Admission Office in an eligible degree program. A diploma is not an eligible degree program for financial aid purposes.
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by the need analysis process on the FAFSA for the following programs: Federal Work-Study and need-based scholarships. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans are not based on financial need; however, they are subject to limits within the cost of attendance. Graduate PLUS and private loans are based on credit-worthiness.
- Be enrolled in an eligible program (JD, JD/MBA, JD/IMBA, JD/MA, LLM, MSLS)
- Be registered in at least half-time status, which is 6+ units for fall and spring terms for JD students or 5+units for LLM/MSLS students, and 3+ units during summer terms for all students.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan, unless the loan has been rehabilitated.
- Not have borrowed in excess of the statutory loan limits.
- Not owe a refund/repayment on any TITLE IV grant, (Pell Grant or SEOG).
- Sign a Statement of Education Purpose stating you will use federal student aid funds only for expenses related to attending school.
- Complete the verification process if selected by the Dept. of Education or the Financial Aid Office.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Students enrolled in the Diploma in Taxation Program are not eligible for financial aid.
- Incompletes, withdrawals, audits, failed courses, repeated courses and any additional units or courses above the specified program requirements for graduation cannot be considered in the computation of minimum units and cannot be awarded financial aid. Repeated classes for coursework successfully completed may be repeated only once. Repeated classes for coursework which resulted in incompletes, withdrawals or failed courses may be repeated without limits as long as the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Students on academic probation or academic watch will have one semester to remove the probationary status. Financial aid for the term immediately following the probationary semester will be placed on hold until the probationary status is cleared by the Registrars Office. Students who are disqualified are not eligible for further financial aid.
- USD students visiting another law school must check with the Financial Aid Office about eligible programs and visiting agreement criteria.
Determination of Need
Financial need is the difference between the Cost of Attendance (student financial aid budget) and the student's (and spouse's, if married) Student Aid Index (SAI) plus other educational benefits as determined by the need analysis process.
- The information utilized in the need analysis process may include the following: student's and spouse's income and assets, U.S. income taxes paid, untaxed income and benefits including any assistance and cash received from parents or relatives, family size, the number of family members in college, medical and emergency expenses and unusual circumstances.
- All students are expected to contribute toward their cost of education. Other educational benefits considered by the Financial Aid Office as assistance may include aid that was processed by outside entities for private loans, scholarships, gifts, or benefits from Veteran's Affairs.
- The university determines an adequate expected cost of education for the period the student is in attendance at the School of Law. This budget includes expenses for tuition and fees, books, transportation, food, personal expenses and housing allowance. Note: Federal methodology prescribes that the student's living expenses be considered in the student's budget; however, family members are considered in the formula used to derive the Student Aid Index (SAI).
Determining Financial Aid Awards
The Financial Aid Office will attempt to meet the student's financial need up to the student's full Cost of Attendance. All students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application in order to be evaluated for all financial aid programs including scholarships.
Students and prospective students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policies below applicable to the determination of financial aid award.
- All School of Law scholarships or grants are determined by the Admissions Office. University scholarships are part of the award package and the combination of university funds, federal aid and outside financial aid resources cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance.
- Priority consideration for other discretionary funds such as the USD Tuition Credit loan, Law Access Loans and Federal Work-Study funds will be given to students who meet the priority filing deadline and also have demonstrated need. Consideration is given to the student's preference for Federal Work-Study as indicated on the FAFSA. The Federal Work-Study Program has specific requirements, including availability of positions and funding that must exist in order for students to initialize the Federal Work-Study award.
- Students who have unusual expenses such as emergency medical care may request a revision to their Cost of Attendance and aid offered by submitting their special circumstances in writing to the School of Financial Aid Office.
- Scholarships awarded after the original Financial Aid Notice may result in revision to existing aid. Students are responsible for reporting to the Financial Aid Office all changes in status and resources used to meet their Cost of Attendance.
- Some students will be selected for a process called "Verification." This process is used by the institution to check the accuracy of the information a student (and their spouse) has given to the U.S. Department of Education when applying for federal aid. Information is verified by securing additional documentation and a signed statement attesting to the accuracy of the information provided.
- Students who are not eligible for financial aid due to financial or academic reasons will receive a notification from the Financial Aid Office.
- Because of limited funding, the university is not able to meet every student's full financial need or Cost of Attendance.
- Students enrolled in dual degree programs must coordinate the financial aid processing between the School of Law Financial Aid Office and the Graduate/Undergraduate Financial Aid Office.
Financial Aid Notice Policies
Your financial aid award is based on the reported financial information you submitted at the time you applied for aid. The student estimated expenses used in the budget are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, criteria from the California Student Aid Commission and cost estimates from the San Diego area.
Financial aid awards may change on a yearly basis due to a number of factors. Students are required to inform the financial aid office of changes in unit load, change in marital status and/or financial circumstances, a leave of absence or withdrawal, an increase in resources, and/or a declined financial aid offer.
- Changes in unit load: If students do not enroll for the number of units required, they may not be permitted to complete registration and financial aid may not disburse to your USD Student Account. Changes in enrollment may cause changes to aid.
- JD students must take at least six (6) units in the Fall and Spring and at least three (3) units in the Summer in order to receive federal student aid for that term.
- LLM/MSLS students must take at least five (5) units in the Fall and Spring terms and at least three (3) units in the Summer in order to receive federal student aid for that term.
- Paralegal Students must be in a minimum of 5 units in any term to receive any federal student aid for that term.
- Change of marital status and/or financial circumstances: If a student's financial information or status changes since the FAFSA was filed, an award revision may be necessary.
- Leave of absence or withdrawal: If students withdraw or take a leave of absence before the end of a semester, awards will be adjusted in accordance with the refund policies of the federal government and the University of San Diego.
- Increase in resources: If students receive additional resources, including outside scholarships, they MUST notify the School of Law Financial Aid Office. Financial aid eligibility may be adjusted in accordance with federal regulations.
- Declining Aid: If students wish to decline a particular aid type offered and prefer that eligibility be transferred to another program, a written request must be submitted.
Several other conditions apply to financial assistance and financial aid awards. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the general conditions of financial assistance below:
- USD School of Law reserves the right to revise this financial aid award. Modification to award may be required by reductions or elimination in federal or institutional funding; corrections or changes in the data reported; receipt of additional resources; unintended errors; changes in unit load or other eligibility criteria.
- The loan awards are guideline amounts based on program criteria and federal loan limits. The Graduate PLUS loan program requires you to be credit-worthy or able to obtain a credit-worthy co-borrower. You should take a conservative approach to student borrowing and borrow only the amount you need to meet your personal educational expenses. You are not required to borrow the entire amount offered.
- Your financial aid funds will be credited against your USD student account at the start of each semester if all required steps have been completed. Once your tuition and fees are paid, any excess will be refunded to you. A check will be mailed to you unless you sign up for E-Refund (Direct Deposit) in the MySanDiego portal.
- While some loans can be accepted in the MySanDiego portal, the USD Law Access Loan and Tuition Credit Loans require the completion and submission of a paper contract. Additional steps may be required to complete the loan application process. Please refer to the instructions in the portal or on your award letter email.
- The cost of attendance listed in the portal does not include an allowance for the law school's mandatory health insurance. If you will be paying for health insurance and provide appropriate documentation to the Office of Financial Aid, budget allowances can be made to add the costs incurred
during the period of enrollment. Please note that loan eligibility cannot be increased if you are being covered by your parent's plan. - Federal Work-Study (FWS) is paid directly to you as it is earned and cannot be used to pay your tuition charges. A separate employment contract is required and must be obtained from the Financial Aid Office before you begin employment. Failure to have FWS paperwork approved and processed by the Financial Aid Office may result in cancellation of the award. If you wish to decline the FWS Offer, you may request that this eligibility be converted into a loan. Please submit your request in writing to the Law School Office of Financial Aid.
- Regardless of the amount of financial aid you accept, you are expected to bring a certain amount of cash to defray immediate expenses such as books, supplies, and personal necessities at the beginning of each semester.
- If you fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward your degree, your financial aid including scholarships may be reduced or canceled.
- You MUST RE-APPLY for financial aid each academic year. The FAFSA priority filing date for USD School of Law students is March 1.
- It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with all policies and procedures governing your financial aid award as outlined in the School of Law Financial Aid documents and on the Office of Financial Aid website.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Based on the U.S. Department of Education regulations, USD School of Law financial aid applicants are required to make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degrees in order to be considered for federal, state, and most USD financial aid programs. The SAP Policy requires both quantitative and qualitative standards.
The Title IV programs administered by the University of San Diego School of Law are: Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Non-subsidized), Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans, and Federal Work Study. In addition to federal student aid, all institutional aid (scholarships, grants and loans) is contingent on the student meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Following the final grade processing for the summer term (for students who have completed a minimum of 2 terms), those students who are not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards will be notified of their ineligibility to receive further financial aid for the following academic year. The following Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for the University of San Diego School of Law financial aid eligibility must be met during the academic year and the following summer in order to receive Title IV and University need-based financial aid for the following academic year.
Pace/Maximum Timeframe
There are limits on the period of time students are eligible for financial aid. These limits are measured by Pace and Maximum Timeframe. To be on Pace to complete the degree within 150% of the Timeframe, as required by the Department of Education, students must complete and receive a passing grade (excludes F, U, W, IP grades) on 67% of the total cumulative units attempted to maintain pace toward graduation. To ensure students remain within the Maximum Timeframe, the total cumulative units attempted must always be less than 132 units. Per ABA rules students have 6 years (72 months) in which to earn the 88 units required to complete the JD degree.
Grade Standards
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.2. Note: Our SAP procedures include a review of your cumulative GPA prior to the start of fall semester which includes summer session grades. Although your GPA may have met the SAP standards of 2.2 at the end of the academic year, if your cumulative GPA falls below the standards at the end of summer session, your financial aid eligibility status for next year will be affected.
Pace/Maximum Timeframe
There are limits on the period of time students are eligible for financial aid. These limits are measured by Pace and Maximum Timeframe. To be on Pace to complete the degree within 150% of the Timeframe, as required by the Department of Education, students must complete and receive a passing grade (excludes F, U, W, IP grades) on 67% of the total cumulative units attempted to maintain pace toward graduation. To ensure students remain within the Maximum Timeframe, the total cumulative units attempted must always be less than 36 units.
Grade Standards
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average required by their program as noted below. Note: Our SAP procedures include a review of your cumulative GPA prior to the start of fall semester which includes summer session grades. Although your GPA may have met the SAP standards at the end of the academic year, if your cumulative GPA falls below the standards at the end of summer session, your financial aid eligibility status for next year may be affected. Students should review the policy on academic standing.
All LLM (except for LLM US Law and LLM Spanish) - 2.5
LLM US Law and LLM Spanish - 2.0
MSLS (normally Pass/Fail) - 2.0
Paralegal - 2.0
Law students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress as delineated in sections I and II, will automatically be disqualified from any further financial aid eligibility beginning the subsequent fall term. Consequently, the student will be responsible for funding all costs associated with attending the following term of enrollment. If during the term in which the student did not receive financial aid, satisfactory academic progress is satisfied, the student will once again regain financial aid eligibility for the following term.
An alternative to self-funding the term, students may appeal to re-establish financial aid eligibility. Valid reasons for approval of appeals are:
- Death of a relative
- Student injury or illness
- Other special circumstance
Students submitting appeals for special circumstances are required to submit an academic plan developed with the assistance of the Dean of Students.
Appeals will be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee throughout the year. If an appeal is approved, financial aid eligibility is re-established for one semester at which time, an additional review will be conducted to determine academic progress.
Contact Us
To know more about financial aid at the USD School of Law, you can call us at (619) 260-4570 or email us at lawaid@sandiego.edu.