If you plan to enroll for summer classes and wish to apply for financial aid, please note the following requirements:
- You must enroll for at least 5 credits during the summer (includes study abroad) to be eligible for financial aid.
- You must complete the Summer Financial Aid Application by May 1, 2009.
- You must complete the 2008-09 FAFSA if applying for a fellowship, federal work study, a Fed. Stafford Loan or a Federal Grad Plus Loan. You must also complete the 2009-10 FAFSA if you are applying for a fellowship.
- You must complete a loan application/promissory note with the lender of your choice. To ensure the timely certification and disbursement of your loan request, you are encouraged to apply for an alternative loan by 6/01/09.
The following are a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding summer financial aid. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many classes must I take?
Students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis to be eligible for federal or private student aid. At Seton Hall Law, this means you must take at least 5 credits in the summer and 6 credits for the fall and spring semesters.
2. 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.
3. What about Federal Stafford Loans?
Summer is considered a part of the 2008-09 academic year. This means that if you have reached the annual Federal Stafford Loan limit for 2008-09, you will not be eligible for further Stafford loans until Fall 2009. The annual Stafford Loan limit is $20,500, of which not more than $8,500 may be subsidized.
4. What do I need to do to apply for summer aid?
- You must have a 2008-09 FAFSA on file if applying for a fellowship, federal work study, a Federal Stafford Loan, or a Federal Grad Plus Loan. (Apply at www.fafsa.ed.gov.) You must also complete the 2009-10 FAFSA if you are applying for a fellowship.
- You must complete the Summer Financial Aid Application by May 1, 2009.
- You must complete a loan application/promissory note with the lender of your choice.
5. How much can I borrow?
A separate Cost of Attendance Budget is calculated for the summer semester. Summer Budgets are available by April 1 both in the financial aid office and on our website.
6. When should I contact my lender?
You will be able to apply for summer loans on or about April 1.
7. I plan to attend Seton Hall Law’s study abroad program. Is the aid process any
different?
There is a separate Cost of Attendance Budget set for each of the study abroad programs. A consortium agreement is not necessary for Seton Hall Law students. If you are applying for a private loan, disbursement may occur 45 days prior to the start of the semester, with a refund following shortly after. If you are applying for a federal loan, federal regulations require that we wait until 10 days prior to the start of the semester to disburse funds to your account. For this reason, if you need funds for other than the tuition component of the study abroad program, you may wish to consider a private loan.
8. I plan to attend another university as a visiting student during the summer. Is
the aid process any different?
The costs for attending another institution are determined by the host institution. Seton Hall Law will process either federal or private student aid and the disbursements will be sent to Seton Hall Law School. If you are applying for a private loan, disbursement may occur 20 days prior to the start of the semester. If you are applying for a Federal Graduate Plus loan, federal regulations require that we wait until 10 days prior to the start of the semester to disburse funds to your account.
The Bursar will then forward the entire amount received to the school you are visiting. If this amount is higher than the amount of your tuition and fees, a refund will be processed by the host institution.
We must have a Consortium Agreement signed by the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend. Please stop by the financial aid office to pick up a Consortium Agreement. Completed Consortium Agreements are due by May 1, 2009.
9. I plan to apply for a summer Public Interest Fellowship. What affect does this have on my financial aid package?
The Summer Public Interest Fellowship program is administered jointly by the Office of Career Services and the Office of Financial Resource Management. Fellowship awards are approximately $4,000 for a ten-week assignment. Because the primary source of funding is from federal work study funds, applicants must have completed a 2009-10 FAFSA, as well as a 2008-09 FAFSA. The effects on your financial aid package will vary by student, so please consult with a Financial Aid Administrator to evaluate your situation.
10. May I receive Living Expenses for the Summer Semester?
You may receive financial aid to cover your tuition and living expenses for the summer semester if you are enrolled on at least a half time basis. For the summer semester, this is defined as 5 credits. The following are the living expense figures that are added to your tuition and fee costs for the summer 2009 semester.
- $3,720 if you are living on your own (not with your parents/relatives)
- $2,100 if you are living at home or with relatives
Please contact the Financial Aid Office directly for costs associated with the study abroad programs.