The following information pertains to students who first entered the JD program at Seton Hall Law in the Fall of 2007. Students who entered the law school prior to Fall 2007 will continue to be charged on a per-credit basis.
How is tuition charged for the fall/spring academic year?
Full-time students are charged a flat rate per semester. Part-time students are charged ¾ of the FT tuition per semester. For 2007-08, the rate is $18,630 for FT students and $13,972.50 for PT students. The amount paid over 6 full-time (“FT”) semesters or 8 part-time (“PT”) semesters is the same.
What if I take summer courses? Are they free?
There is no tuition for summer courses (although there are some fees) unless you seek residency credits. You must first determine if you are seeking residency credit for the summer semester.
What does it mean to seek residency credit?
All students must meet the Law School's residency requirements in order to be certified for graduation. Our rules derive from the requirements to sit for the NY Bar. A full-time student must be in residence for at least six semesters with a minimum of ten credits each semester. A part-time student must be in residence for at least eight semesters with a minimum of eight credits each semester.
How many summers do I need to attend to fulfill residency if I intend to graduate early? How much is the tuition charge?
For part-time students transferring from part time to full time status – if you wish to graduate in three years, you must obtain residency credit for at least one summer session. You will be charged ½ a semester’s full-time tuition for that summer in which you seek residency credit. Almost all students seeking to convert from part-time to full-time status obtain the ½ semester residency credit in the summer after their first year (before their second year).
If I am not seeking residency credit for the courses taken over the summer, is there a tuition charge?
No, you will not be charged tuition for these summer courses. You will only be charged the administrative fees.
Is this true if it’s a study abroad program?
Yes, if you intend to enroll in the Ireland, Italy, or Egypt study abroad program, and you are NOT seeking residency credit, then there is no charge for tuition. You will be charged the applicable administrative fees.
If I am seeking residency credit for the courses taken over the summer either in Newark or in our summer abroad program, is there a tuition charge?
Yes, this charge is equivalent to ½ a semester’s tuition for a FT student. Using 2007-08 rates, this would amount to $9,315 ($18,630/2).
Wow, that seems like a lot! Why so much?
This policy ensures that all students, whether full-time or part-time will pay the same amount for their legal education. If you graduate earlier than expected, you will be given an appropriate tuition credit (addressed later).
Am I eligible for financial aid?
You are required to take a minimum of 5 credits during the summer semester to maintain eligibility for financial aid (this includes students loans), regardless of whether you are charged tuition for these credits. A separate Cost of Attendance Budget to cover tuition, fees and living expenses is calculated for the summer semester and will be posted by April 1.
What type of aid may I receive if I enroll for 5 credits?
You may apply for a Federal Graduate Plus loan or a private loan. Institutional scholarships are generally not credited for the summer semester.
What about Federal Stafford Loans?
Summer is considered part of the 2007-08 academic year. This means that if you have reached the annual Federal Stafford Loan limit* for 2007-08, you will not be eligible for further Stafford loans until Fall 2008. *The annual Stafford Loan limit is $20,500, of which not more than $8,500 may be subsidized.