Financial Aid

Funding Your Law School Education

BU Law is committed to making a legal education affordable for its students. We provide funding for more than 80 percent of our J.D. students through a combination of:

• scholarship awards
• federal and private loans
• Work-Study awards for continuing students

We provide as many scholarships as possible, but funds are limited and priority for scholarship aid is given to students who demonstrate both financial need and exceptional academic merit.

In determining financial need, the income, property, obligations and expenses of the applicant, spouse and parents are weighed carefully. All information submitted in connection with financial assistance applications is confidential.

Financial aid is subject to student eligibility, the availability of various kinds of funds and, for currently enrolled students, evidence of satisfactory academic progress as detailed in BU Law Academic and Disciplinary Regulations.

Dean's Scholar Program

Each year, the BU Law Dean’s Scholar Program honors a small number of applicants who have outstanding academic achievements. The Dean’s Scholar Program includes a generous scholarship award. All applicants for admission are automatically considered for this merit scholarship; no separate application is required.

Public Interest Scholars Program

February 15, 2010, is the deadline to apply for the Public Interest Scholars program. The School of Law offers a number of scholarships for students who are committed to pursuing careers in public interest law. In return for scholarship assistance and special mentoring, Public Interest Scholars agree to work at least one summer during law school in a public interest law position, participate in the law school’s pro bono program, and coordinate and participate in the yearly Orientation Service Day.

A separate application is required for this scholarship. The application includes an essay describing the applicant’s career goals, a résumé in which public interest and community service experiences are highlighted, and a completed Need Access financial aid form. In selecting Public Interest Scholars, the law school will consider demonstrated commitment to public interest, intention to pursue a career in public interest, financial need and academic merit.

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Applying for Aid

March 1, 2010 is the deadline to apply for financial aid, even if you have not yet been admitted to BU Law. Students who miss the March 1 deadline may submit financial aid materials but should be aware that scholarship aid will be awarded first to students who meet the deadline.

Financial Aid Application Checklist

To apply for all types of financial assistance including scholarships, you must submit the following by March 1, 2010:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Need Access form

• Signed copies of 2008 federal income tax returns and all W-2 forms for both the applicant and his or her parents

If 2009 federal income tax returns are not available before the March 1, 2010 deadline, they should be sent as soon as they are available. The BU Law Financial Aid Office will usually be able to make a tentative decision without the tax returns. The decision will be finalized when the 2009 tax returns are received.

Students who are applying for federal loans only and do not wish to be considered for scholarship aid need only submit the FAFSA and the Federal Stafford/Direct Loan Processing Request Form that is included with their letter of admission.

For more information on obtaining these materials and completing the forms, please see Financial Aid Information.

Parental Information Requirement

To help us distribute scholarship funds equitably, we require that applicants file parental information. Although many parents do not contribute to their children’s graduate education costs, they still may be a resource for some students. Thus, viewing the potential family contribution as a whole is the most accurate way to award need-based aid.

Applicants whose parents are divorced should complete the financial aid forms using the information from the parent who last claimed them as a dependent on a federal income tax return.

An applicant may submit a detailed written request for a waiver of parental information. Waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Financial Aid Office. Requests must be made before the March 1 deadline and addressed to the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.

International Students

BU Law scholarships are available to a small number of international J.D. candidates who demonstrate both outstanding scholastic achievements and significant financial need. Please keep in mind that our funds are limited and that even if we offer a scholarship award, it will pay for only a portion of the tuition.

To apply for a BU Law scholarship, you must submit the International Student Financial Aid Application by March 1, 2010. You can access this form and additional information about private loan programs for international students at International JD Students.

Transfer Students

Transfer students applying for financial aid should follow the instructions for entering students, although we do not expect transfer applicants to comply with the same deadline as entering students.

Transfer applicants should complete their applications for admission and financial aid simultaneously. Because the transfer admissions process takes place at the end of the financial aid awarding period, we regret that we may not be able to offer scholarship aid to transfer students.

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Federal Programs

Federal Direct Stafford Student Loan

A Federal Direct Stafford Loan is a long-term, low-interest educational loan. Graduate students may apply for up to $20,500 per academic year.

Federal Direct Loan applicants should submit a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Loan Processing Request Form from their acceptance packet.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Students are eligible to apply for this federal credit-based loan in an amount equal to the total cost of attendance for the year minus other financial aid already awarded. To apply, students must submit the FAFSA and the Graduate PLUS Loan Request Form, which is available at Financial Aid Forms.

Federal Work-Study

A number of continuing students who demonstrate eligibility and financial need are employed under the Federal Work-Study Program as faculty research assistants and library assistants and in off-campus positions (many of which are law-related). Students may apply for summer and academic year Work-Study after their first year.

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Other Sources of Financial Assistance

Private Loan Sources

Some law students take private loans in addition to their other sources of funding. These loans require an impeccable credit history. Students should obtain a copy of their credit reports before applying to ensure the accuracy of the information reported for them.

Working While in Law School

The Boston area provides opportunities for part-time employment in addition to jobs funded through the Federal Work-Study Program. As a service to interested students, the Student Employment Office, 881 Commonwealth Avenue, maintains a list of part-time jobs for the academic year and full-time summer jobs.

To ensure adequate class preparation and a thorough understanding of course material, BU Law discourages, but does not prohibit, employment during the first year. In accordance with the American Bar Association and BU Law rules and requirements, a student may not work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.

Residence Hall Positions

Resident assistant positions are available to both single and married law students. Standard compensation for an assistantship is free living accommodations for the academic year. In some cases, assistantships may offer board and/or a stipend as additional compensation.

If you would like to apply for a resident assistant position, contact:

Director, Academic Service
Residence Life
25 Buick Street
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-4380

Outside Scholarships

Local bar associations, Rotary Clubs and other civic, corporate and private organizations in many cities and states offer scholarships and low-interest loans to law students. Other sources include clubs devoted to preserving a particular ethnic or cultural heritage, religious organizations, a parent’s corporation or trade union, fraternal and community organizations and veterans’ organizations (such as American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Amvets and VFW).

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

BU Law has a strong tradition of commitment to public service. We recognize that many law graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to pursue public interest careers because salaries are insufficient to enable them to pay loans in addition to covering their living expenses.

Since 1987, BU Law has had a program that provides support to alumni in order to relieve some of the burden of making monthly payments. Under the terms of the current grant program, graduates are eligible to apply for grants for up to ten years after graduation, though preference is given to more recent graduates.

A committee considers several criteria, including the ratio of salary to aggregate debt, year of graduation, spousal income and educational loans (if any), dependent responsibility and any special circumstances affecting the applicant’s ability to repay outstanding debt. The committee also considers the nature of the public service activity, the organization’s history and its viability in deciding how to allocate the limited funds available. Awards are within the discretion of the committee.

Changes to Student Information

Any student receiving financial aid is responsible for promptly informing the Financial Aid Office of any:

• outside agency awards he or she may receive
• changes in name or address
• changes in enrollment, registration or degree status

Federal regulations and Boston University policy require that a student’s financial aid package not exceed the student expense budget (tuition, fees and living expenses). Financial aid includes all grant and loan resources, federal Work-Study, resident assistant positions and veteran’s benefits.

The student must also provide any supporting documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office.

To contact the Financial Aid Office:

Boston University School of Law
Financial Aid Office
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-3160
bulawaid@bu.edu

Tuition and Fees (per year)

Tuition $38,816

Fees $842

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

27 September 2009
Boston University
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