Financial Aid Resources For J.D. Candidates

• Gift Aid & Scholarships

  Gift Aid includes financial aid that does not have to be repaid such as the Dean's Scholarship, Donor-Funded Scholarships, and Fellowships.

  Learn more about scholarships.

• Earned Aid

  Earned Aid includes job opportunities for students wishing to reduce loan indebtedness such as UCLA Teaching and Research Assistantships, Summer Public Interest Fellowships.

  Teaching Assistantships

  Through UCLA’s Graduate Division, advanced graduate and professional students have an excellent opportunity to gain practical teaching and tutoring experience in departments outside of the law school while earning an income to offset the cost of their tuition and fees. In-state students who are employed 45 percent or more are entitled to a fee remission of 75 percent of the Education Fee, a fee remission of 75 percent of the Registration Fee, and a fee remission of 100 percent of the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan. These fee remissions significantly reduce the student’s out-of-pocket expenses for the academic year. This reduction may, in turn, affect a student’s total loan eligibility.

  For more information and to obtain an application, please visit the Graduate Division website.

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  Summer Public Service Fellowships

  Through an array of funding sources, UCLA School of Law provides stipends to first-and second-year students who engage in otherwise unpaid summer internships with nonprofit organizations or government agencies (judicial externships are not categorized as internships with government agencies). The application process begins in the spring semester, and students with eligible positions must submit an application in order to be considered for this Fellowship. In summer 2020, UCLA School of Law funded approximately 250 students.

• Educational Loans (FAFSA Information)

  FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form which enables the school to determine students' eligibility for federal loans (Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS). The FAFSA must be completed each year by all who wish to be considered for federal financial aid at UCLA.

  Completing the FAFSA online reduces errors and improves turnaround time. You can do this by going to studentaid.gov. Request that a copy of the FAFSA be released to UCLA by indicating our school code: 001315.

  The FAFSA should be submitted as early as possible after January 1. Newly admitted students who are applying for the need-based component of the Dean's Scholarship should provide both the student's and parents' information on the FAFSA. Admitted students who file a FAFSA will receive an electronic Provisional Award Letter (ePAL) in late March. Students filing applications after late March will receive an ePAL on a rolling basis.

  William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

  Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

  The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program enables qualified graduate and professional students to receive up to $20,500 in a federally guaranteed loan. For the 2021-22 academic year, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan has an interest rate of 5.28 percent and a loan fee of 1.057 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2021. The federal government will automatically deducted the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

  The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

  All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

  The U.S. Department of Education allows all eligible recipients to receive a lifetime amount of $138,500, including Undergraduate and Graduate Federal Loans. However, no more than $65,500 can come from the Federal Subsidized Loan.

  Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

  Graduate and professional students are allowed to borrow through a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS (GPLUS) Loan. For the 2021-22 academic year; the GPLUS loan has an interest rate of 6.28 percent and a loan fee of 4.228 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2021. The federal government will automatically deduct the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

  The GPLUS Loan does not have annual or aggregate loan limits (other than the cost of attendance less other financial aid) but requires a credit review. Just as with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, GPLUS borrowers are eligible for an in-school deferment if they are enrolled at least half-time. The GPLUS has the same payment options, the same deferments and forbearances, and the same cancellation provisions as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

  All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

  How is APR different than an interest rate?

  In most cases, you have seen APR (Annual Percentage Rate) related to private loans, car loans and your credit card. What you are being charged for your loan isn’t actually just an interest rate; it’s really the APR. So, what is the APR?

  The APR is the annual cost of your loan. It includes the interest rate and certain fees. In order to accurately compare the cost of loans, you should always compare the APRs rather than just the interest rates.

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  Entrance Counseling

  Important! All first-time federal loan borrowers at UCLA need to be informed about borrowers’ rights and responsibilities. Law students will satisfy this requirement by completing an online Entrance Counseling Session. This can be accomplished by reviewing the counseling session materials and taking an online quiz. All quiz results are transmitted electronically to the UCLA Student Loan Services and Collections Office.

  Please be sure to indicate "UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles" as your institution when registering your account to ensure that you are directed to the entrance exam.

  Failure to follow through with this requirement will delay disbursement of your eligible Federal Direct Loan proceeds.

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  Credit-Based Private Loans

  Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options, including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.

  Some students find it necessary to finance a portion of their education through private loan sources. These lenders offer loans to offset the cost of attending law school. The loan terms are printed directly on the application and also are governed by federal and state lending regulations. The choice of lender rests solely with the student, but he/she will need to meet the lender’s credit requirements. Please see UCLA's Preferred Lender List and Code of Conduct – Preferred Lenders.

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  Bar Loans

  Law students may apply for Bar Loans for the period after graduation when they are studying for the bar. A Bar loan is an unsecured consumer loan offered to graduating law school students to assist with expenses related to the bar process. These related expenses may include the following: bar examination fees, bar review courses, and living expenses during the period after graduation and prior to being notified of the exam results.

  Bar Loan interest rates are generally higher than those of federal and private loans. Students should review the product guidelines and repayment options before applying. See UCLA’s Preferred Lenders List for a list of Bar Loan lenders.

  Please note: For graduates needing to obtain a Bar Loan after graduation, when using UCLA’s Preferred Lender List (ELM Select), please indicate that your graduation date will be in the future in order to obtain a potential list of lenders that offer this product.

• Yellow Ribbon Program

  UCLA School of Law participation in the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® Yellow Ribbon Program

  The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the U.S. to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund eligible veterans' tuition expenses that exceed the in-state tuition and fees at public institutions. Details and eligibility guidelines for Post-9/11 benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program, can be found at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill under Education Benefits. Alternatively, you may inquire with the VA at 1-888-GIBILL1 (442-4551).

  How Yellow Ribbon Works at UCLA School of Law:

  • The Post-9/11 GI Bill^® will pay 100 percent of in-state tuition and fees for eligible individuals attending a public institution. This payment will be sent directly to the school.
  • Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, UCLA School of Law will cover 50 percent of the difference between resident and non-resident tuition and fees, with the other 50 percent to be matched by the VA.
  • UCLA School of Law has established a limit of 10 veterans to receive this benefit in each academic year.
  • Federal law states that Yellow Ribbon awards must be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • In order to apply for Yellow Ribbon benefits at UCLA School of Law, an applicant must: 1) be admitted to UCLA School of Law, 2) have 100 percent of the benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill^® Program, and 3) submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the Law School Financial Aid Office. An applicant must first be admitted to the law school before submitting his/her COE.
  • Admitted applicants will be placed in the queue based on the date their COE is received by the Law School Financial Aid Office. (Phone calls and email inquiries will not hold a place in the queue).
  • UCLA must reapply every year to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
  • A student who receives a Yellow Ribbon grant from UCLA School of Law will continue to receive it as long as the following conditions exist:

  The student reapplies each year with the Law School Financial Aid Office by submitting the COE letter;
  The student remains continuously enrolled in the program for which he/she initially received the benefit; and
  The student complies with all VA and UCLA School of Law deadlines and procedures.

  ***Students in joint-degree programs must consult
  with both programs regarding Yellow Ribbon participation***

  You may email, mail, or hand deliver your Certificate of Eligibility to the Law School Financial Aid Office. 

  UCLA School of Law
  Office of Financial Aid
  ​385 Charles E. Young Drive East
  1242 Law Building
  Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
  Tel: (310) 825-2260
  email: finaid@law.ucla.edu

   

  GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

• Useful Financial Aid Links
  • FAFSA
  • Federal Student Aid Info
  • Federal Student Aid (FSA) PIN 
  • National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
  • ​Debt Management Session (Entrance Loan Counseling)
  • Graduate Division
  • Residency Requirements
  • Free Credit Report
  • MAX by AccessLex