Types of Financial Aid for Law School


Students in the atrium

Financial Aid
[email protected] | 973-642-8502 or 973-761-9000 ext. 8502

Paying for Law School

Seton Hall is committed to offering an affordable legal education to aspiring law professionals. From law school scholarships and grants to student employment and work study programs, to loan repayment plans, we work with students and their families to successfully meet their educational goals without risking their financial future. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA after October 1 every year.

  • Law School Scholarships

    Law school scholarships help you meet educational expenses at little to no cost upon the acceptance of admissions essays, eligible LSAT scores and strong undergraduate GPAs. Students with strong credentials and application materials may receive scholarships that cover their full law school tuition. If you're interested in applying to law school, act soon as scholarship decisions are made on a rolling basis.

    Available scholarships:

    1. Merit Scholarships
    2. NJ State EOF Grant
    3. Endowed and Privately Funded Scholarships
    4. Outside Scholarships

    Explore the full list of available scholarships and grants

     

  • Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements/Policies

    In order to receive Federal Financial Aid, each student must meet the general eligibility requirements outlined below:

    1. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis* as a regular student in an eligible program.
    2. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with appropriate documentation.
    3. Have a valid Social Security number
    4. Maintain satisfactory progress, as defined by this institution, toward a degree.
    5. Not be in default of a prior federal student loan.

    Enrollment Status

    JD, MLS, and LLM students must be registered for at least 5 credits each semester (fall and spring) and 3 credits in the summer semester to be considered half-time and eligible for financial aid.   Full-time or part-time eligibility for financial assistance is not the same as full-time or part-time status for purposes of ABA residence requirements (JD students.)  

    On-line MSJ students:  If you are enrolled in 2 consecutive online courses in a semester, you will reach half-time status at the beginning of the second course.  Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services if you have any questions.

    In-School Deferment

    Student loan deferral forms should be submitted to the Enrollment Services Office on the third floor for proper student status verification and processing.

    Satisfactory Academic Progress

    Federal regulations (CFR 668.34) require Seton Hall Law to establish, publish, and apply standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for Federal Title IV financial aid eligibility. The purpose of measuring and enforcing these standards is to ensure financial aid recipients’ progress towards degree completion using both qualitative (2.0 GPA) and quantitative methods (pace/maximum timeframe) in accordance with federal regulations.

    Students must meet or exceed these requirements in order to remain eligible for federal financial aid (Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Unsubsidized, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan). Specific institutional, state, or privately funded donor scholarships may require a higher GPA than listed in this policy for federal financial aid programs.

    The standards of academic progress outlined in this policy are for the purpose of evaluating eligibility to continue receiving financial aid. They do not replace or modify academic standards required for continued enrollment at Seton Hall Law.

    Student Loan Code of Conduct

    In accordance with federal regulations, all Seton Hall Law employees whose job responsibilities include student financial aid, are expected to maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct and must adhere to the Student Loan Code of Conduct.

  • Veterans Education Benefits for Law School

    Seton Hall Law is thankful to our veterans and servicemembers and is committed to helping you and your families succeed.  The Office of Financial Aid/Enrollment Services certifies eligible veterans and their dependents for educational benefit payments.

    Learn more about Veterans Education Benefits for Law School

     

     

  • Student Loans

    Federal Loans
    NOTE:  The Student Loan Payment Pause is extended until the earliest of either 60 days from the date the debt relief program has been implemented OR, 60 days from June 30, 2023 if the debt relief program has not been implemented and the litigation has not been resolved.

    Direct Stafford Loans

    The Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a federal loan borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the school. The annual loan limit is $20,500 per academic year. Interest accrues on the Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Interest accumulated while in school or during other periods of nonpayment is capitalized (added to the principal amount of the loan), but a student has the option to make interest payments while in school.

    1. Interest Rate:  6.54% (for loans disbursed between July 1, 2022 and before July 1, 2023. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan.
    2. Origination Fee:  For loans disbursed between October 1, 2020 and October 1, 2023, 1.057 % will be deducted proportionally from the gross amount of each loan disbursement.
    3. Grace period: 6 months after graduation, withdrawal, leave of absence, or drop to less than half-time status.
    4. Repayment Plans: Federal Direct Stafford Loans have various payment options ranging from 10 years to 25 years, as well as income drive plans. We recommend that you utilize the Repayment Estimator as a guide in determining monthly payment amounts when you enter repayment.
    5. Aggregate Stafford Loan debt: $138,500, which includes undergraduate debt.
    6. Direct Loan Consolidation is available. 
    7. Application Procedures.

    Direct Graduate Plus Loan

    After applying for the Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Law students may apply for a Direct Graduate Plus Loan to cover remaining educational costs up to the Cost of Attendance minus all other estimated financial assistance. Direct Graduate Plus Loans are another option in addition to private (alternative) loans. Direct Graduate PLUS loans are credit based, meaning that a credit check is performed to determine eligibility for the Direct Plus Loan. Your credit score is not used in determining eligibility, however, borrowers must demonstrate that they do not have an adverse credit history*.& If adverse credit exits, the borrower may be approved for the loan by obtaining a credit worthy endorser (co-borrower).

    1. Interest Rate:  7.54% (for loans disbursed between July 1, 2022 before July 1, 2023. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan.
    2. Origination Fee: For loans disbursed between October 1, 2020 and October 1, 2022, 4.228% will be deducted proportionally from the gross amount of each loan disbursement.
    3. Grace period: 6 months after graduation, withdrawal, leave of absence, or drop to less than half-time status.
    4. Repayment Plans: Federal Direct Stafford Loans have various payment options ranging from 10 years to 25 years, as well as income driven plans. We recommend that you utilize the Repayment Estimator as a guide in determining monthly payment amounts when you enter repayment.
    5. Direct Loan Consolidation is available. 
    6. Application Procedures.

    *Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services for information on the definition of adverse credit history.

    Private Loans

    About Private Student Loans

    Private educational student loans may be borrowed as an alternative to the Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan if you require additional funding to cover educational expenses (the Cost of Attendance) not covered by other sources of financial aid.  Both are considered a part of your financial aid package.  Private student loans often require a creditworthy co-signer.  A credit-worthy co-signer may enable to you keep the loan fees and interest rates at their lowest.  Co-signers must be a creditworthy U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

    We encourage you to seriously evaluate the differences between federal and private student loans to ensure you are comparing the terms, interest rates, and repayment terms. Differences between federal and private student loans.

    Interest Rates

    Private student loans typically have variable interest rates, with the interest rate tied to an index, such as LIBOR or PRIME, plus a margin.  Some private loans do offer a fixed interest rate.  Interest rates vary by lender and can depend on the creditworthiness of the student and their co-signer.

    Applying for a Private Loan

    You may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.  Before borrowing a private loan, we encourage you to create a budget and seriously consider the minimum amount you will need to meet your basic expenses while in law school. We encourage to check out various in-school budget calculators such as the one available at FinAid. You must reapply each year for a private loan. You may research lenders and apply for a private loan our Private Loan Lender comparison page. Additional information on the application process is available under Applying for Loans.


    Bar Study Loans

    Bar Study Loans are available to graduating students to cover the cost of Bar Exam expenses, such as Bar Review Courses, Bar application fees, and living expenses incurred while studying for the Bar Exam. Bar Loans are private loans that require credit approval by independent lenders and eligibility depends on criteria established by the lender.

    Students and co-borrowers must also meet citizenship requirements as established by the lender. Funds are sent directly to the student. Typically, you may apply for a Bar Study Loan if you are enrolled at least half time in your final year of study at an ABA-accredited law school, or have graduated from one within the last 12 months.

    Please contact the Office of Enrollment Services for additional information.

    Managing your Debt

    Your Credit Counts!
    The interest rates and fees you pay on a private student loan are based on your credit score and the credit cosigner, if any. It is better to apply for a private student loan with a cosigner even if you could qualify for the loan on your own. Applying with a cosigner usually results in a better rate. 

    If you plan to utilize a private loan for living expenses to help finance your Seton Hall Law education, we recommend that you verify your credit report is accurate and in good standing. Credit reports frequently contain misinformation that can take time to correct. Obtaining a copy of your credit report early allows you to correct any adverse information prior to applying for a private loan. You should also periodically obtain a copy of your report while in school to ensure that your private loan eligibility in future years will not be affected because of adverse credit information.

    You are entitled to receive one free credit report file every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.  You may obtain your free credit report from Annual Credit Report or by calling 1-877-322-8228.  Regularly checking a credit report from the three nationwide credit bureaus is a great way to fight identity theft.

    However, if you would like a copy of your credit score, you must purchase the credit score.  A credit score is a complex mathematical model that evaluates many types of information in a credit file.  A credit score is used by a lender to help determine whether a person qualifies for a particular credit card, loan (such as a private loan) or service.  Generally, the higher your score, the less risk you represent and the better rates you will be offered.

    The credit score may also be purchased though Annual Credit Report, or by contacting one of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies directly:

    Equifax
    800-685-1111
    P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241  
      
    Experian
    888.EXPERIAN (397-3742)
    P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013  
      
    TransUnion
    800-888-4213
    P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022  

    Should you obtain a copy of all three credit file disclosures simultaneously?
    It is entirely your choice whether you order all three credit file disclosures at the same time or order one now and others later. The advantage of ordering all three at the same time is that you can compare them (However, you will not be eligible for another free credit file disclosure from the Central Source for 12 months). On the other hand, the advantage of ordering one now and others later (for example, one credit file disclosure every four months) is that you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit file disclosure. Remember, you are entitled to receive one free credit file disclosure through the Central Source every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – so if you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date.

    Additional information on private loans is available at the Office of Enrollment Services. 

  • Student Employment

    The Student Employment Program is managed by the Office of Enrollment Services in conjunction with the Office of Career Services.  Students may be hired in administrative positions in various departments in the Law School.  Upper class students may be hired as a Research Assistant for a faculty member or for certain departments.

    Positions are funded either from the Federal Work Study Program (FWS) or are Departmentally funded.  Once you have secured your position, the Financial Aid staff will determine the source of funding based on available funding.

    To qualify for FWS, you must demonstrative financial need, based on the FAFSA the Cost of Attendance, and other factors. Departmentally funded student employment is not counted as a part of your financial aid award package and you do  not need to demonstrate financial need. There are a limited amount of Federal Work Study funds provided by the Department of Education.  If you are awarded Federal Work Study, you will be awarded a specific dollar amount as a Financial Aid award.  This award is not deducted from your bill; rather, you will be paid based on the actual hours you work.

    1. To apply for these positions, you must first file a FAFSA.

    2. Full-time (9 or more credits), first year students can work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the academic year.

    3. Upper-class students can work a maximum of 20 hours each week during the academic year.

    4. Students may work up to a maximum of 29 hours per week during scheduled breaks (ex.spring break, summer).

    5. The rate of pay for most positions is $15.13 per hour.

    Summer Employment

    Enrollment in summer classes is not required for a student to be eligible to work in the summer; however, the student must be planning to return to Seton Hall Law for the fall semester. Summer Federal Work study earnings will decrease the amount of eligibility for FWS during the academic year, and may affect the student’s overall financial aid package for the upcoming fall/spring academic year. Students who are interested in working over the summer should contact the Office of Enrollment Services for additional details.

    Student Forms

    Once hired, students must submit the below forms to the Office of Enrollment Services. Work cannot commence until paperwork is approved by the Student Employment Coordinator.

    Student Employment Authorization Form - Not available online - obtain from the Office of Enrollment Services.

    Payroll Forms - all forms must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services.

    1. I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

    2. W4 Employment Withholding Allowance Certificate

    3. Direct Deposit Payroll authorization Form

    Timesheets

    All student timesheets can be completed via your LawNet/PirateNet account under the "Offices & Services" tab, then Student Employee Timesheet Approval.
     

  • Programs for Grads in Public Service/Interest Positions

    If you are employed by a government or non-profit organization, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). This program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Graduates who are employed by a qualifying employer should complete the PSLF Employment Certification Form for each qualifying position.

    Seton Hall Law School also offers a Public Interest Loan Repayment and Assistance Plan (PILRAP) to recent graduates who are employed as an attorney with a qualifying public interest organization.

    NEW (November 2021): Changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

    The Department of Education made a recent announcement that made temporary changes to PSLF to increase eligibility.  In short, borrowers may receive credit for past payments made on loans that otherwise would not have been eligible for PSLF. Learn more.

  • Financial Aid Document Submission Form

    Please use the Financial Aid Document Submission Form to submit your financial aid documents.