Columbus School of Law

Financial Aid >Types of Aid

University Scholarships | Federal Direct Stafford Loan | Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan

Veteran's Benefits | Private/Commercial Loan | Aid for International Students

-UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS-

These scholarships are merit-based and are awarded to in-coming students by the Admissions Committee. Awards are made based on information provided during the admissions process. No separate application is needed for scholarship consideration. Scholarship recipients receive notification mid to late spring.

For returning students, merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who rank in the top 25% of their class at the end of the spring semester. Award notifications are made mid June.

For more information about University and Outside Scholarships, please visit our Scholarship Information page.

-FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS - STAFFORD SUBSIDIZED & UNSUBSIDIZED-

These are made available to Columbus School of Law students through the Federal Direct Loan Program. The program provides federal student loan funds to students who are U.S. citizens (or qualifying non-citizens) and are enrolled at least half-time in a given semester.

The maximum Federal Direct Loan amount for graduate/professional students is $20,500* per academic year. Up to $8,500 of this amount may be subsidized (ie will not accrue interest while you are in school). Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA.

Key Characteristics of a Federal Stafford Loan:
- fixed interest rate of 6.8%
- no credit check required (approval is based on the completion of FAFSA)
- deferred payments while in school (must be at least half-time)
- 6 month grace period (deferred payments) after graduation

For more information about the terms and rates, please visit our Stafford Loan information page.

_{*The maximum Stafford Loan amount prior to Fall 2007 was $18,500. The maximum subsidized amount ^{was the same at $8,500, but the maximum unsubsidized amount was increased from $10,000 to $12,000 in subsequent years.}}

-FEDERAL DIRECT GRADUATE PLUS LOANS-

Graduate and professional degree students are now eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program up to their cost of attendance minus other estimated financial aid. Applicants for these loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They also must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS loan.

Key Characteristics of a Federal PLUS Loan:

- fixed interest rate of 7.9%
- approval of loan is pending a Credit Check (criteria is less stringent than Private Commercial Loan)
- deferred payments while in school (must be at least half-time)
- no official grace period (deferred payments) after graduation. Other deferment options are available.

For more information about the terms and rates, please visit our Grad PLUS Loan information page.

_{*There is a loan fee associated with a Federal Grad PLUS Loan. The net amount disbursed will be less than the amount borrowed.} ^{Students are permitted to borrow to cover the cost of these fees. Contact out office for more information.}

-VETERAN'S BENEFITS-

The Columbus School of Law is eligible to receive payments from the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Currently the law school does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon program. For more information on Veteren's Benefits, please visit our benefits page.

-PRIVATE/COMMERCIAL LOANS-

Private/Commercial or Alternative loans are available to meet educational costs including living expenses. Eligibility to receive this type of loan is based on your credit score and may require a co-signer. Private/Commercial loans can provide for the remaining amount of educational cost of attendance (tuition, fees, book and personal living expenses) that is not covered by other resources (grants, scholarships, loans, VA benefits, etc.)

Key Characteristics of a Private Commercial Loan
- variable interest rate determined by lender
- approval of loan is pending a Credit Check (criteria is set by lender)
- deferred payments while in school (must be at least half-time)
- grace period, if any, is determined by lender

Additional information and a comparison chart can be found at here.

-AID FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS-

Federal and State financial aid are not offered to International Students; however, many private organizations offer various scholarships and grants to students regardless of citizenship. To start your search, review our Aid for International Students information page. Please do not limit yourself to the resources listed here. We strongly recommend using the internet to conduct your own search.

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