General Policies and Process

New England School of Law attempts to provide financial assistance to all eligible students. While the primary responsibility for funding educational and living costs lies with the student and his or her family, the law school does assist many students with grants, scholarships, loan programs and employment (Federal Work-Study). The amount of aid available and the condition for its award are based on a number of factors including NESL and federal regulations which are subject to change at any time.

The majority of students finance their legal education with some form of educational loan- federal and private. Eligibility for federal and most private loan programs is restricted to U.S. Citizens or permanent residents. Non U.S. citizens may be able to apply for some private loans with a co-borrower who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. See the Loan Section for more detailed information.

Financial aid is awarded by the Law School on an annual basis and students must apply annually. The deadline for applying for financial aid for the 2008-2009 academic year is April 10, 2008 for incoming students and April 16, 2008 for returning students. Incoming students should not wait to be accepted by the law school before applying for financial aid. Doing so could jeopardize your chances of receiving financial aid. Students only applying for federal loans are subject to a July 1, 2008 deadline.

Incoming and returning student application packets will be available to download in January 2008.  Incoming students interested in financial aid can submit the 2008-2009 New England School of Law Financial Aid Application which is included with the admissions packet, prior to the availablity of the complete packet. Additionally, students may contact our office by phone or email to request a packet.

Financial aid notifications are mailed beginning in March for incoming students and May for continuing students.

Financial Aid Process

1: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The FAFSA is required of all students applying for financial aid. You will need to fill out a FAFSA (or renewal FAFSA) for each year you are in attendance at New England School of Law. The NESL FAFSA code is G08916.

2: Documents for NESL's financial aid file

The Financial Aid Office requires additional documents, along with the FAFSA in order to completely evaluate an applicant's financial situation. NOTE: It is advised that incoming students complete their financial aid file even before they are notified of acceptance to the school.

The additional materials include the following:

• New England School of Law Financial Aid Application:
  The law school's financial aid application provides information supplementary to that on the FAFSA.

• Student Income Verification Form:
  This form is used to verify untaxed income received by the student as well as the student's tax filing status. In addition to this form, the student's signed 2007 federal tax return, including all schedules and W2 forms must be attached.

• Stafford Loan Processing Request Form:
  This form is used to begin the processing of Stafford Loan, as soon as the student is awarded a financial aid package. The applicant can choose to receive either the maximum academic year amount of Stafford Loans ($20,500 - up to $8,500 subsidized and $12,000 unsubsidized), the maximum subsidized amount he/she is eligible for (up to $8,500) or an amount of his/her choosing (maximum $20,500, awarded in both subsidized and unsubsidized amounts, to the point of his/her eligibility). See Loan Programs for more information.

• Parent Income Verification Form: (Only necessary if applicant wishes to be considered for institutional grants and scholarship grants and is under the age of 25 as of March 1, 2008)
  This form is used to collect parent income and asset information. In addition to this form, parents' signed 2007 federal tax returns, including all schedules and W2 forms must be attached.

Please see Important Deadlines to download application materials as well as a checklist of all required documents and their respective due dates.

Faxed copies of financial aid application materials cannot be accepted - please mail or drop off your forms!

3: What to Do When You Receive Your Financial Aid Award Letter

Once the applicant has completed their file with the financial aid office, their information goes into review. After reviewing the student's application materials and their FAFSA report, an award letter is issued, outlining the student's financial aid package for the academic year. Students are advised to closely examine their award letter, as they may require additional paperwork in order to receive all funds outlined:

• Institutional Grants and Scholarships: For students awarded institutional grants or scholarships, the award acceptance form included in your award packet should be returned at your earliest convenience, indicating that you accept the awards given.
• Perkins Loans:  Students who are awarded a Perkins Loan will have to complete either an Entrance Packet (first time Perkins borrowers at NESL) or an updated Disclosure Statement (returning Perkins borrowers).  These forms are produced by the Financial Aid Office; we will contact you just prior to the start of the academic year with more information on how to complete these forms.
• Stafford Loans: 1L students or first time financial aid borrowers at NESL must complete an Entrance Interview to ensure the disbursement of their Stafford Loan funds. First time Stafford Loan borrowers at NESL must also complete a Master Promissory Note with their Stafford Loan lender. For more information on this process, students are advised to contact either the lender for their Stafford Loan or the Financial Aid Office.
• Graduate PLUS/Private Loans: Students who receive award letters indicating an amount for a Graduate PLUS or Private Loan must initiate the loan with their lender.  The amount listed on the award letter is the maximum amount the school will certify for that student for a PLUS or Private Loan.  For more information on PLUS and Private Loan options, see Loan Programs.  First time Graduate Plus loan recipients are now also required to complete an Entrance Interview.  NOTE: Alternative loans are subject to lender credit criteria. Your lender will decide whether to approve or deny your loan application. For these reasons, the appearance of a PLUS or Private loan on your award letter does not guarantee lender approval.