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Applying for Financial Aid

What is the federal school code for the Notre Dame Law School?
The University of Notre Dame federal school code for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is 001840. The FAFSA for the upcoming year is available online after January 1.

When can I expect notification about financial aid?
The priority deadline for submission of the FAFSA for first-year Law Students is February 15. Students who meet the February 15 priority deadline should receive notification between mid-March and mid-April.

The priority deadline for submission of the FAFSA for continuing Law Students is February 28. Financial aid awards may be viewed through insideND beginning in late March.

When do I have to accept my financial aid award package?
The Office of Financial Aid requests that students accept or decline each award listed within two weeks. If a situation arises where the student does not receive the letter until after the response date (i.e. overseas, incorrect address), the Office of Financial Aid asks that the student complete and submit the letter as soon as possible. Signing the Award Letter is separate from submitting your confirmation deposit.

Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?
The FAFSA must be filed annually if you wish to receive consideration for federal loan assistance.

Is it necessary to meet with a financial aid counselor?
The staff in the Office of Financial Aid is available to talk with students about their questions or concerns related to their financial aid. The Financial Aid staff is available to answer most of the questions students have. If a student has extenuating circumstances or more detailed questions, they may email or call the office to schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor.

Scholarships and Loan Assistance

Is scholarship assistance available for law students?
The Law School awards non-repayable scholarship assistance to many incoming students. Every candidate admitted to the Law School is considered for scholarship aid based on multiple factors with the goal of admitting students with different backgrounds and many talents. These factors include, but are not limited to, academic qualifications, personal statement, leadership and community service. However, if you wish to be considered for need-based scholarship aid, you must complete the optional financial aid form on the online admission application.
You are encouraged to review the listing of external scholarship awards on our web site.

What loan programs are available?
Law students are eligible to borrow from the Federal Stafford Loan, the Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan or private loan programs.
Details about these programs and application instructions are available on the Office of Financial Aid website at http://www.nd.edu/~finaid/graduate/loans/.

Eligibility and Appealing

How will the fact that I worked last year impact my eligibility for loans?
The Federal Methodology formula which is used to determine eligibility for federal loan programs requires a student to report their prior year income. The resulting student contribution is used to determine eligibility for Federal loan programs only.

Graduate and professional students are typically eligible to receive a total of $20,500 per year via the Federal Stafford Loan Program; the student contribution determines how much of the loan will be subsidized and how much will be unsubsidized. The maximum subsidized loan is $8,500 and maximum unsubsidized loan is $20,500. Additional information regarding this program is available on our website.

How will my parents’ income affect my loan eligibility?
Since Notre Dame Law School students are considered independent, they are not required to include their parents’ data on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Therefore, your parents’ income will have no affect on your federal or private loan eligibility.

Is it possible to increase the standard cost of attendance if my expenses are beyond the standard budget?
A student may request a Budget Increase Form from the Office of Financial Aid; the form must be requested via phone, email, or in person. The form provides the student an opportunity to itemize monthly expenses (and in some cases receipts or billing statements are required to support the request).

A financial aid counselor will carefully review the information to determine if a budget adjustment is appropriate. The submission of a request does not guarantee that the budget will be increased. A written response (usually email) is sent within seven to ten business days.

If an increase to the standard cost of attendance is approved, the student may be eligible for additional eligibility from loan programs. The Office of Financial Aid reminds students that taking on debt for any reason should be done deliberately and only for the amounts needed.

Is it possible to receive more financial aid if I study abroad?
The Law School will notify the Office of Financial Aid of the students who are enrolled in a study abroad program. The Office of Financial Aid will increase the budgets of these students accordingly and determine if additional loan eligibility is possible.

General Questions

How do I contact the Office of Financial Aid?
Students may contact the Office of Financial Aid via mail, phone, fax, or email.

Mailing Address:
115 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574-631-6436
Fax: 574-631-6899
Email: finaid@nd.edu
Website: financialaid.nd.edu

When can I expect to receive my bill and when is payment due?
Billing statements are sent by the Office of Student Accounts in mid-July. Students are expected to make full payment of their balance due by the deadlines set forth by the Office of Student Accounts.
The Office of Financial Aid notifies the Office of Student Accounts of pending financial aid disbursements. If circumstances arise that prevent a student from paying their balance due on time, they are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Accounts for further options.

How do I contact the Office of Student Accounts?
Students may contact the Office of Student Accounts via mail, phone, fax, or email.

Mailing Address:
100 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574-631-7113
Fax: 574-631-7117
Email: stdacct@nd.edu