Announcements
Dean's Office
This Week at USF - July 31, 2017
Off-Campus Student Parking Lottery
The 2017-2018 student parking lottery application is now available. Applications are due today, Jul 31 by 4:00pm. Notifications will go out via email on Monday, August 7. As a reminder, only students living off campus further than 3 miles away from the perimeter streets (Masonic, Fulton, Stanyan, and Anza) are eligible to apply. The lottery is done once per academic year, and only 150 commuting students are chosen to purchase full time or 3-day permits.
International Semester Exchange
Applications due August 1st for 2018
USF has established semester-long exchange programs for students who wish to immerse themselves into the study of another country's laws and legal system. Opportunities are available for USF students to study at the University of Luxembourg or at Charles University in Prague.
"This program was one of the best academic decisions of my law school career. I've distinguished my resume and I cam away with a totally different perspective on law. I made incredible friends and had the pleasure of living in one of the most beautiful and underrated cities in the world." - Student who recently attended Charles University
For an application and to discuss the program, please stop by KB 342 or send an email to lawsummerabroad@usfca.edu
Office of Student Affairs
Student Organizations, Journals, Co-Curricular Groups
Please Register your Student Organizations by Thursday, August 3rd to update our records for this coming school year. Your student organization must be registered to be eligible for SBA fundraising.
Please Email your Journal or Co-Curricular Groups full names, position, emails, and student IDs by Wednesday, August 9th to update our records for this coming year.
1L Orientation Info Fair
If you would like to reserve table space at the 1L Orientation Fair for your registered student organization, journal or co-curricular group, please email, 'Alakoka Kailahi, no later than Wednesday, August 9th. Fill in the information found in the linked email.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Staffing Update for Law Financial Aid Office
The Law School is pleased to announce a new addition to the Law Financial Aid Office. Matthew Cox is our new Assistant Director of Law Financial Aid. Matthew has extensive experience working in the law school environment, having previously worked at Golden Gate School of Law and Santa Clara School of Law. We are extremely happy to have Matthew on board. He can be reached at mscox@usfca.edu or at 415.422.6210.
Fall 2017 Tuition Payment Reminder
The USF Student Enrollment Services Office has notified the Law School Financial Aid Office that all registered students can now view their Fall 2017 semester bill online via their respective myUSF online student portal.
Your Fall 2017 semester charges are due on August 1, 2017. Fall charges should be reconciled by either personal funds, Authorized Financial Aid, a combination of personal funds and Authorized Financial Aid, or enrollment in the four month payment plan. Additional information regarding your fall semester tuition bill including payment methods is available online.
Your fall semester class registration will be cancelled by the USF Student Enrollment Services Office if the required fall payment is not reconciled by the fall semester payment deadline. If your class registration is cancelled due to non-payment, you will be re-registered for the term only AFTER sufficient payment to your student account is made.
Please be sure the review theUniversity's Policies regarding Tuition Payment
Fall 2017 Semester Loan Deferment Information
All USF students who borrow funds from the federal government are eligible to receive loan repayment deferments while enrolled in law school at least half-time. The University Registrar will send class registration confirmation to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse in mid-September AFTER our law school census date (late date to withdraw with full tuition refund less withdrawal fee). This Clearinghouse is used by all lenders to confirm your registration for the academic year. No additional forms are needed for you to complete to receive loan repayment deferments for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Graduate PLUS Loan.
Fall 2017 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 2017 is Monday, August 14, 2017. 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 2018 semester will Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
Fall 2017 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 2-5 business days AFTER the aid funds have been disbursed to the University, 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 Enrollment Services 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.
Applying for Financial Aid for the Fall 2017/Spring 2018
If you have not yet applied for financial aid you can still apply at any time through April 1, 2018. If you have already made a personal payment to your USF student account to pay for your fall bill, you can use federal loan aid to reimburse you for your personal payment.
In order to apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, for the Fall 2017 & Spring 2018 academic year. It is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You must list USF’s Title IV code in your FAFSA application, which is 001325.
FAFSA processing can take up to 5-7 business days. Once USF receives your completed FAFSA and completes your financial aid award process, you will be sent an email notification at that time by the University Student Enrollment Services Office indicating that you can review your financial aid award online via your myUSF online student portal.
Important Financial Aid information, documents and dates for the upcoming Fall 2017/Spring 2018 academic year can be found online.Upcoming Private Scholarship Programs
Sonoma County Women in Law (SCWiL) Scholarship
This scholarship is open to applicants regardless of gender, and persons of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The purpose of the SCWiL scholarship is to assist a deserving law student with an interest in promoting women’s access to, and involvement in, the legal system by providing financial support to defray the cost of completing their legal education. The essay topic is, in 2 pages or less, to discuss your academic and career goals as they are related to promoting women’s access to the legal system and you ties to Sonoma County. Along with your essay, please submit your: 1) resume; 2) copy of your most recent law school transcript; 3) a Student Air Report (SAR) or the first to pages of your most recent IRS Form 1040.
Award Amount: Varies ($5,000 - $7,500)
Deadline: 09/01/2017
http://www.sonomacountywomeninlaw.com/scholarship.html
If you have any questions regarding information in this announcement or financial aid in general, please contact the Law Financial Aid Office at 415.422.6210 or email lawfinaid@usfca.edu.Pro Bono
Legal Advice and Referral Clinic
Volunteer at the Legal Advice and Referral Clinic ("LARC") on Saturday, 8/26 from 10:30-2:30pm.AABA East Bay- Legal Clinic
Volunteer at the Asian American Bar Association clinic in Oakland on the third Wednesday of every month from 6:00-9:00pm.AABA San Francisco-Tenderloin Legal Clinic
Volunteer at the Asian American Bar Association clinic at UC Hastings on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 5:30-8:00pm!
If you are signing up for pro bono work, please contact probono@usfca.edu or stop by the Deans' Office.Externships
Deadline to apply
for Fall Externships:
August 7, 2017
Before applying for an externship, please review the relevant Externship Application Packet, available in KN 235 or at https://www.usfca.edu/law/professional-skills/externships/civil-criminal-law for Civil/Criminal Externship and https://www.usfca.edu/law/professional-skills/externships/judicial for Judicial Externships.
The mandatory judicial externship class typically meets the Friday before the semester begins. The mandatory civil and criminal classes meet 3-4 times per semester. Please see Course Schedule for all class dates.
No late submissions will be accepted.
For questions, please contact the Externship Office in Kendrick 235 or email nrkatz2@usfca.edu.LLM Tax Program
Advance your Tax Career with USF’s Graduate Tax Program!Wellness
CAPS is offering a new service called "Let's Talk." The purpose of Let's Talk is to provide a space for drop-in consultation and support for USF students. Let's Talk for law students will take place on Thursdays this Fall, 12pm-1pm in KN 212. Lets_Talk, Lets_Talk_FAQPolina Shamariyeva, Psy.D.
Counseling and Psychological Services
(415) 422-6352Writing Competitions
Be sure to stay up to date on Legal Writing Competitions. Many of these contest are free to enter and offer a financial prize or scholarship to the winners.Events
Volunteer at Glide on August 4 from 3-5:30 along with other USF School of Law community members. If you're interested, please email us at lawstudentaffairs@usfca.edu