Law Financial Aid

The Office of Law Financial Aid is committed to providing all law students financial aid assistance to keep you informed and explore all funding opportunities and resources.  

USF ID Number

In order to better assist law students and reply to your financial aid inquiries in a timely manner, please be sure to include your USF ID Number in any email inquiries to the Law Financial Aid Office.  In addition, any requests to update your financial aid record should come directly from your USF email account. We cannot process any requests for assistance sent from your personal email accounts.

Law Financial Aid Walk-in, Appointments (In-Person, Virtual)

The Law School’s Financial Aid Office is taking the necessary measures to implement and improve our customer service strategies. We want you to have the best experience with our office so we would like to provide information on new changes to our customer service support methods. 

Our office will be available for in-person visits and appointments as well as virtual appointments. Getting in-person assistance is easy.

You can schedule an appointment on the following methods below:

1.    Text USFDonsLAW to 415-914-9982 then text the code for the type of service you wish to receive help with.
2. Day-to-day appointment. Make an appointment online through the Home Kiosk.   Enter your Name and phone number.
3.    Future virtual Appointments (24 hours and later) Here.

Fall 2023 Financial Aid Disbursement Date

The Disbursement date is the earliest possible date that funds from both federal and private sources can be sent to the University each semester.  Funds are sent electronically by each provider in two equal installments, once each semester. Federal regulations require that aid be disbursed no earlier than approximately one week before the start of each term. Scholarship funds are also disbursed at the same time federal and private loan funds are disbursed.

The earliest scheduled disbursement date for both federal and private sources for the Fall 2023 is Friday, August 11, 2023.

Once funds disburse, your fall semester bill is paid off and any remaining funds left over after your bill is paid, is refunded to you.  Aid will continue to be disbursed throughout each semester as individual student financial aid files become complete later in the term and/or additional federal or private loan applications are processed and approved.

As an FYI, the earliest disbursement date for the Spring 2024 semester will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024.


Fall 2023 Excess Aid Refund Process

If your total financial aid exceeds your tuition bill, you will be refunded any excess aid funds once your aid disburses and after your tuition bill is paid. Your excess aid funds should be used to cover your cost of living expenses (food, rent, etc.) for the semester.  The refund process typically begins the next day AFTER funds are disbursed. 

Refunds are sent electronically to your bank account as long as you have signed up for the direct deposit refund process. If you have not signed up for direct deposit refund process, a paper check refund will be made available to you.

IMPORTANT: The disbursement date is NOT the date you receive the excess funds in your bank account.  Direct deposit refunds are typically received in your bank account 3-5 business days AFTER the aid funds have been disbursed to your University student account, depending on your banking institution. 

A paper check refund is typically made available 10-15 business days AFTER the aid funds have disbursed to the University. Refunds as a result of an overpayment from a personal check may take up to 15 business days to process.

If you are already enrolled in direct deposit, you do NOT need to re-enroll. Please be sure however, that your assigned bank account on file is still active by viewing the information online via your myUSF student portal.

If you are relying on a refund for living expenses including the purchase of your books, food, etc., please plan accordingly. The USF Student Accounts Office will make every effort to insure that you receive your refund in a timely manner, but there can be unanticipated delays due to excessive refund processing as the University processes aid refunds for all USF students around the same time.  Please note that the earliest that a student can expect to receive a direct deposit aid refund in their bank account may not be until the week of August 21. Be sure to plan your finances accordingly for the beginning of the semester as aid refunds may not be available until the first week of classes.

The direct deposit refund process is the quickest way to receive excess aid funds for living expenses.  It is highly recommended that you sign up for this refund process.  If you are not enrolled in direct deposit refund processing, the enrollment information is noted below.   Online Instructions.
•    Log on to MyUSF.
•    Click on the link for “Student Self Service”
•    Click on the "Student Account" link and then "Direct Deposit Authorization" to enter the requested information.

You may update or change your direct deposit information at any time. Once you enroll, please allow 5 business days for your bank account to be verified and the direct deposit process to be activated. Any excess aid funds after tuition is paid will be processed as a paper check refund if direct deposit is not activated.

Health Insurance Waiver for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

All USF students are required to have insurance. To insure this mandate, USF will automatically bill and enroll all students in University sponsored health insurance. If you are currently on a comparable plan or plan to be on one during the upcoming academic year, you can apply for a waiver of the USF health insurance. The waiver period for the Fall 2023 is from June 6 through September 1.  There are no exceptions to the wavier period.  Information and an online application to waive the University sponsored health insurance fee can be found on the USF Health Promotions web site.  Please note that if you apply for a waiver during the Fall 2023 waiver period and are approved, you do not need to do it again for the Spring 2024 as a waiver approved during the Fall waiver period will also apply for the Spring.
 

Applying for Financial Aid/FAFSA Application for Fall 2023/Spring 2024

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 academic year will be available online on October 1.  All students who wish to receive financial aid for the 2023-24 academic year are required to complete the new 2023-24 FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov.  Our Title IV code is 001325 and must be included in your FAFSA application.

Financial Aid award notification for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 began in early April for current students who have completed a 2023-24 FAFSA as long as the 2023-24 FAFSA is completed and USF receives your FAFSA information by the priority date March 1, 2023. Award information will be available to view online via your myUSF student portal. You will be sent an email notification at that time by the Law Financial Aid Office indicating that you can review your financial aid award online via your myUSF online student portal.

The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible but no later than the priority date was March 1, 2023 in order to receive the maximum financial aid consideration for 2023-24 (this date is especially important for those continuing students who wish to be considered for the Federal Work Study award).

IMPORTANT: The 2023-24 FAFSA can be completed after March 1, and you will still be able to receive federal educational loan aid for this upcoming year. However, delaying completing your FAFSA will affect when you receive your award notice as well as your eligibility for Federal Work Study.

Upcoming Private Scholarship Deadlines   

Lemon Law Experts Scholarship
The Lemon Law Experts have represented thousands of consumers throughout the State of California for over a decade.  Our firm has a strong connection to our community and is committed to helping the next generation of attorneys.  Founding Partner, Jessica Anvar is a strong supporter of higher education and believes students should be able to follow their dream career paths. This is why the Lemon Law Experts is proud to offer a scholarship award to two deserving current or prospective law school students to help pay a portion of the winners’ upcoming college or law school costs.
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Amount: $1,000

Eksew Law School Scholarship
As attorneys helping those in the state of Indiana it is our duty to give back to our community and help those with quality legal representation.  Therefore, our attorneys all chose to become lawyers for certain reasons.  Now, we want to hear from you and ask you the question – why do you want to become a lawyer and what do you plan to achieve with your legal career? We are asking students to write an essay in which they answer the simple question: Why do you want to study law? We are looking for the best-written and most compelling answer writing at least 350 words about the question above.
Deadline: September 1, 2023
Amount: Up to $1,500

O'Conner, Parsons, Lane & Noble Scholarship
O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble is pleased to announce our Annual Graduate School Scholarship. This $1,500 scholarship is open to law students attending or planning to attend law school in the United States. Scholarship money will go directly to the winner’s school and can cover school-related expenses.
Deadline: September 15, 2023
Amount: Up to $1,500

Pound Civil Justice Scholarship
The Pound Institute will make a Civil Justice Scholarship Award, bi-annually as possible, to recognize current scholarly legal research and writing focused on topics in civil justice, including access to justice and the benefits of the U.S. civil justice system, as well as the right to trial by jury in civil cases.
Deadline: September 11, 2023
Amount: up to $10,000

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Law School Diversity Scholarship and Application (Diversity)
Applicant is a member of an ethnic, racial, or other minority or any individual who demonstrates a defined commitment to issues ofdiversity within their community; Applicant is a U.S. citizen currently attending an addredited law school within the U.S.; Academic achievement as reflected by a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least on semester of classes completed at an accredited law school.
Deadline: October 1, 2023
Amount: $1,000

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship and Application (Disability)
The Disability Scholarship was established in 2014 as part of the law firm’s commitment to helping students with disabilities or injuries who are in need of financial assistance for educational purposes.  The scholarship is available to students of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.
Deadline: October 1, 2023
Amount: $1,000

GJEL Law Student Scholarship
The Attorneys at GJEL understand the financial burdens law students go through when working towards their degrees and are providing this essay contest for eligible students.
Deadline: November 1, 2023
Amount: $2,000

AAUW Community Action Grants
Community Action Grants provide funds to individuals, AAUW branches, and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equality for women and girls.
Deadline: November 15, 2023
Amount: $3,000 - $10,000

Emery Reddy, PLLC scholarships
Each year we offer financial assistance to student with an interest in pursuing careers in the legal field.
Deadline: November 30, 2023
Amount: $2,500

Answering Legal Scholarship
Answering Legal’s Future Attorneys of America Scholarship is dedicated in choosing one law student, of academic excellence, every year and awarding them with the FAAS merit scholarship.  We consider it a great honor to be able to support law students who show ambition, perseverance, and of course, merit in their studies, in the legal community and in their lives.
Deadline: December 30, 2023
Amount: $5,000