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Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid options available to qualifying students.

Our goal is to provide assistance and counseling to fit your needs so that you can focus on your law school education.

To view the current student cost of attendance financial aid budgets, based on academic programs, click here.

The student Cost of Attendance represents the estimated total cost to attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law for the academic year and also sets the maximum limit of financial aid that a student may receive from all sources of aid (scholarships, loans, work).

In addition to the various aid types available, students may set up installment plans in advance of payment deadlines to make tuition payments.

Loans

Financial aid in the form of loans may be provided by either the federal government or private lenders. Interest accrues once the loan is disbursed. This type of financial aid must be repaid.

Federal Direct Loan Program

LEGACY PROVISION –  If a currently enrolled student has a Direct Loan disbursed from TJSL prior to June 30, 2026, the borrower can continue to borrow from the Stafford and Grad PLUS loan programs for 3 academic years (until June 30, 2029) or the remainder of their expected time to earning a JD degree, whichever is less.

Beginning July 1, 2026, federal student aid rules will change substantially for graduate and professional students—including the discontinuation of the Grad PLUS Loan program for new borrowing under the H.R.1 Bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). For the most current information regarding this and its impact on 2026-2027 financial aid please visit https://www.studentloanprofessor.com/

Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. Some benefits of Federal Direct Loans include: low fixed interest rates; multiple repayment plans including several Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans; cancellation, discharge, and forgiveness of loans under certain circumstances; and postponement options, including deferment and forbearance of loan payments if you return to school or experience an economic hardship. Visit StudentAid.gov to find detailed information including current interest rates and loan fees and information on managing federal loans based on where you are in the process.

Before you receive your Federal Direct Loan funds, first time borrowers will be required to:

  • Complete entrance counseling for graduate or professional students, a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan.
  • Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan. Note, there are separate MPNs for Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans.

Private Student Loans

  • Student loans can also come from private sources, such as banks or financial institutions; these are commonly known as private student loans. Eligibility for private student loans depends on your credit history and the lender’s approval criteria, and the terms and conditions can vary widely.
  • Private student loans do not increase your overall financial aid eligibility. The maximum amount you can borrow is limited by your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid you receive.
  • The Financial Aid Office encourages students to compare the benefits of federal and private student loans. While private loans may offer lower interest rates for borrowers with strong credit, federal loans provide benefits and protections that may make them a better option. For this reason, we recommend maximizing your federal loan eligibility before considering a private loan.
  • For more information or to see a list of private student loan lenders, see: https://www.elmselect.com/v4/school/1174/program-select.   If you choose to pursue a private student loan, apply directly through the lender of your choice. Request the total amount you need for both the fall AND spring terms, and review all application and promissory note materials carefully. Once the loan is secured, email the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@tjsl.edu from your student email account to request school certification. Be sure to include the lender name and the amount you are requesting.

Federal Work Study

Federal work study students can earn money at eligible on- or off-campus employment. Work study does not need to be repaid but is considered taxable income.

The Federal Work-Study Program provides students the opportunity to work part-time while attending law school. To qualify for a Federal Work-Study position, you must demonstrate financial need and have Federal Work-Study as a part of your financial aid offer. This need-based program is designed to provide jobs to help students with educational expenses. In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, the program requires that participants be in good academic standing. The pay rate for on campus Federal Work Study is $16.30 per hour.

To apply for Federal Work-Study complete the online student forms or come in to the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application must be completed if you intend to apply for a Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Plus Loan, or Federal Work-Study. Thomas Jefferson School of Law must be listed as one of the schools to receive the information from the federal processor. The government will send the information electronically to the Law School’s Financial Aid Office. They will also send a Student Aid Report (SAR) to the student. You may check on the status of your FAFSA by calling 1-800-4-FEDAID and selection option #1.

The FAFSA is valid for one award year, which begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer term. Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s FAFSA school code is 013780.

Apply to FAFSA Online

Federal Student Aid Entrance Counseling

Federal law requires that all federal loan borrowers receive loan entrance counseling before your loans can be disbursed. Entering students and continuing students who are first-time borrowers must complete the mandatory entrance counseling session at www.studentaid.gov The online session will contain information on the student borrower’s rights and responsibilities. Electronic confirmation will be sent to the school by the Department of Education.

Federal Loan Master Promissory Note

To avoid disbursement delays the MPN is required for any first-time TJSL borrowers applying for a Federal Stafford Loan and Graduate PLUS loans.

All MPN’s are completed online at www.studentloans.gov

Scholarships

Institutional and outside scholarships are available to help cover or offset the cost of tuition. This type of financial aid does not need to be repaid.

JD Institutional Scholarships

Limited institutional scholarships are available for JD candidates:

Dean’s Scholarship

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the JD program are automatically considered for a full tuition merit-based scholarship based on the information provided throughout the admissions process. The scholarship is renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester.

Scholarship Amount:
100% Tuition Scholarship

Eligibility for Consideration:

  • Must be admitted as a first-time law student to the JD program, meaning a student who was not previously enrolled in a JD program.
  • Must have a minimum score of 154 on the LSAT or at least 154 Verbal Reasoning and 152 Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE (General Test).
  • If awarded a scholarship, must submit a scholarship deposit by the deadline provided in the award letter to accept the scholarship. The scholarship deposit will be applied toward applicable fees for the first semester.

Renewal:
Renews provided the student achieves and maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher after every Fall and Spring semester.

Scholars Award

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the JD program are automatically considered for 50% of tuition merit-based scholarship based on the information provided throughout the admissions process. The scholarship is renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester.

Scholarship Amount:
50% Tuition Scholarship

Eligibility for Consideration:

  • Must be admitted as a first-time law student to the JD program, meaning a student who was not previously enrolled in a JD program.
  • Must have a minimum score of 152 or 153 on the LSAT, or at least 152 Verbal Reasoning and 152 Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE (General Test).
  • If awarded a scholarship, must submit a scholarship deposit by the deadline provided in the award letter to accept the scholarship. The scholarship deposit will be applied toward applicable fees for the first semester.

Renewal:
Renews provided the student achieves and maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher after every Fall and Spring semester.

Active Military & Veterans Opportunity Scholarship

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the JD program are automatically considered for 50% of tuition merit-based scholarship based on the information provided throughout the admissions process. The scholarship is renewable as long as specific academic requirements are maintained each semester.

Scholarship Amount:
50% Tuition Scholarship

Eligibility for Consideration:

  • Must be admitted as a first-time law student to the JD program, meaning a student who was not previously enrolled in a JD program.
  • Must have a minimum test score of 147 on the LSAT or at least 147 Verbal Reasoning and 146 Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE (General Test).
  • Must have at least a 2.500 cumulative undergraduate GPA
  • Must submit an Application for Verification
  • Must be eligible for Educational VA Benefits including Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly Voc Rehab), Montgomery GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill. Dependents are not eligible. Enrollment or graduation from a Military Academy alone, does not qualify an applicant for the scholarship.
  • If awarded the scholarship, must submit a scholarship deposit by the deadline provided in the award letter to accept the award

Renewal
Renews provided the student achieves and maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.700 or higher after every Fall and Spring semester.

LLM Institutional Scholarships

Limited institutional scholarships are available for LLM candidates:

LLM Scholarship

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission to the LLM Program are automatically considered for scholarships of up to 50% of tuition. Scholarships are awarded based on an assessment of the applicant’s transcript and prior legal experience. Applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships and do not have to separately apply.

Scholarship Amount:
50% Tuition Scholarship

Outside Scholarships

Outside scholarships are provided by external sources such as law firms, legal affinity groups, or other philanthropist organizations or foundations. Many TJSL students receive outside scholarships.

Outside scholarships have varying requirements and deadlines, so make sure to review each application carefully. Questions about outside scholarship applications should be directed to the sponsor of the award. If you receive an outside scholarship, federal law requires you to report that to the Financial Aid Office as all resources are considered when determining eligibility and awarding financial aid.

​​​​​​Other Scholarship Resources