Eligibility for Financial Aid

Who Can Apply for What?

Before reviewing the specific criteria, here is a quick overview of eligibility by student type:

NOTE: A course is eligible for financial aid only if it meets a degree requirement as published in the Academic Catalog.

If you’re not sure which category applies to you, please contact the Financial Aid Office. We can help you understand your options before you invest time in the process.

Criteria to Receive Federal Loan and Work-Study Funds

To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible degree program (JD, HJD, or MBLT) at The Colleges of Law
• Have a high school diploma or GED and, for the JD program, at least one-half of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or meet the criteria for admission as a Special Student
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as defined by The Colleges of Law
• Not be in default on any federal student loan
• Not have borrowed in excess of the aggregate lifetime federal loan limits
• •Not owe a refund on a federal grant at any institution attended
• Certify that you will use federal student loan funds for educational purposes only
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — COL school code: 042501

NOTE: Due to recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Graduate PLUS Loans are no longer available to new borrowers for terms beginning on or after July 1, 2026. If you previously borrowed a federal direct loan while enrolled in your current COL program before July 1, 2026, you may qualify for a legacy provision allowing continued access for up to three academic years. Visit our Federal Legislation Updates page for full details.

JD Program Classification: Undergraduate vs. Graduate Status

JD students who have completed fewer than 90 semester units of pre-legal education are treated as undergraduate students for federal student aid purposes only. These students must be enrolled in at least six (6) units to be considered half-time and to qualify for in-school loan deferment.

Criteria to Receive Non-Federal Private Loan Funds

Sub header copy: Private loans are another option for students who need additional funding beyond what federal aid covers or for international students who are not eligible for federal assistance. To be eligible for a private loan, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled for each semester in which you wish to receive funds
• Be a creditworthy U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen. In most cases, you can apply without a co-signer. If you are not initially approved, applying with a creditworthy co-signer or endorser may help.

We always encourage students to explore federal aid options first before turning to private loans.

International students may also be eligible for private loans with an eligible co-signer or endorser. The co-signer or endorser must be a creditworthy U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident who meets the lender’s requirements. Please note that international students must hold an F1, F2, J1, or J2 visa, and some lenders may require a valid U.S. Social Security number as part of the application.

Maintaining Your Eligibility: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Colleges of Law’s SAP policy is designed to ensure the timely and successful completion of degree programs. All students receiving federal financial aid must maintain SAP, evaluated at the end of each applicable review period.

JD Program SAP Standards

MBLT Program SAP Standards

Students who fail to meet SAP standards may be placed on Academic & Financial Aid Warning or Probation, which affects financial aid eligibility. Full SAP policies are in the Academic Catalog (Sections 6.9 and 6.10).

These standards exist to help ensure you’re making meaningful progress toward your goal. If you’re ever concerned about whether you’re on track, please reach out to your academic advisor and our financial aid team before a problem affects your aid.

SAP Evaluation and Appeal

Students with mitigating circumstances may appeal for their financial aid eligibility. Contact the Financial Aid office if you believe extenuating circumstances have affected your academic progress.

What Happens If You Don’t Earn a Passing Grade in a Term?

Sub head copy: We know that difficult terms happen, and we want you to be aware of the financial implications before they catch you off guard.

If you do not earn at least one passing grade in a given term, federal regulations require The Colleges of Law to treat you as an unofficial withdrawal. This means:

• 50% of any Title IV federal aid disbursed to you for that term must be returned to the federal government
• If that return creates a balance on your student account, you will be responsible for paying that amount

Grades must be submitted and posted to the Registrar’s system within 30 days following the last day of the term for this determination to be made.

If you find yourself in academic difficulty during a term, please don’t wait until grades are posted to reach out. Both your academic program and our financial aid team would much rather help you navigate a difficult situation in real time than see you face unexpected financial consequences after the fact.

Financial Aid Code of Conduct

The following Code of Conduct was last updated by a vote from NASFAA’s Board of Directors in November 2020 and published in January 2021. Subject to enforcement procedures that went into effect July 1, 2015, NASFAA institutional members of NASFAA will ensure that:

1. 50% of any Title IV federal aid disbursed to you for that term must be returned to the federal government
   • Employees within the financial aid office will not award aid to themselves or their immediate family members. Staff will reserve this task to an institutionally designated person, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
   • If a preferred lender list is provided, it will be compiled without prejudice and for the sole benefit of the students attending the institution. The information included about lenders and loan terms will be transparent, complete, and accurate. The complete process through which preferred lenders are selected will be fully and publicly disclosed. Borrowers will not be auto-assigned to any particular lender.
   • A borrower’s choice of a lender will not be denied, impeded, or unnecessarily delayed by the institution, even if that lender is not included on the institution’s preferred lender list.
   • No amount of cash, gift, or benefit in excess of a de minimis amount shall be accepted by a financial aid staff member from any financial aid applicant (or their family), or from any entity doing business with or seeking to do business with the institution (including service on advisory committees or boards beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses directly associated with such service).
2. Information provided by the financial aid office is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
3. Institutional financial aid offers and/or other institutionally provided materials shall include the following:
   • Breakdown of estimated individual Cost of Attendance components, including which are Direct (billed by the institution) costs vs. Indirect (not billed by the institution) costs
   • Clear identification and proper grouping of each type of aid offered indicating whether the aid is a grants/scholarship, loan or work program work program
   • Estimated net price
   • Standard terminology and definitions, using NASFAA’s glossary of terms
   • Renewal requirements for each aid type being offered as well as next steps and financial aid office contact information
4. All required consumer information is displayed in a prominent location on the institutional web site(s) and in any printed materials, easily identified and found, and labeled as “Consumer Information.”
5. Financial aid professionals will disclose to their institution any involvement, interest in, or potential conflict of interest with any entity with which the institution has a business relationship.