Administrative Announcements April 25 - May 2, 2016

Clinics

Fall 2016 Clinics Applications deadline has been extended for Criminal Juvenile Justice, Employment Law, Internet & IP, Investor Justice, Mediation, and Racial Justice Clinics.

Applications are accepted until April 29, 2016 by 5:00pm. (Note, please contact the Immigration and Human Rights Clinics for specific application deadlines and information). Visit the Clinics Office at KN - 211 for more details.

CRIMINAL & JUVENILE JUSTICE CLINIC: Second and third-year certified law students represent indigent defendants in all phases of criminal proceedings from arraignment through trial and appeal. Clinic activities include interviewing clients, investigations, writing and responding to motions, case management, and court appearances.

INTERNET AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY JUSTICE CLINIC:  Students will be certified to practice before the USPTO to handle all aspects of national trademark registration. Students will also work with Bay Area startup companies on intellectual  property needs of these companies.

INVESTOR JUSTICE CLINIC: Students work with Bay Area start-up companies.  Students will  advise on entity choice and governance, operating agreements, employment issues and equity arrangements.  Students will also participate in business plan advice and intellectual property needs of new companies.  The Clinic also handles securities arbitration in FINRA cases representing investors, generally seniors and disabled, against brokers and brokerages. 

MEDIATION CLINIC:  Students, after training, will be courtroom mediators for the San Francisco Small Claims Court.  Clinic students also work on divorce mediations for Marin residents and may handle founder mediations and criminal mediations. 

RACIAL JUSTICE CLINIC: Students will learn about the history and importance of bail motions, study bail motions written by various attorneys, and research, write, and argue bail motions in the four preliminary hearing courtrooms at the Hall of Justice.  

Financial Aid Office

  • Financial Aid Loan Deferments
  • Fall 2016-17 Financial Aid
  • Bar Loans for Graduating Law Students
  • Summer 2016 Financial Aid and Intent to Enroll Form
  • Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines

    • Financial Aid Loan Deferments

    Please be aware that the University Registrar’s Office (not the Law School Registrar’s Office) is responsible for sending enrollment confirmation to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse, which is used by federal and private lenders to confirm your enrollment in school each semester.  The enrollment certification is necessary to insure that loan repayment is deferred while you remain enrolled in school.  Be sure to pay attention to any communication you receive from your respective loan servicer (the agency that manages your federal loans and loan repayment program).  If there are any issues with your loan deferment, you should contact your loan servicer immediately.  Feel free to contact the Law School Financial Aid Office for any additional assistance at 415.422.6210 or contact Rosanna Woods, the Assistant Director for Law Financial Aid, at rlwoods@usfca.edu.  If you are not aware of who your loan servicer is, you can review your federal student loan information online at the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) at www.nslds.ed.gov.

     

    NSLDS is the central database for federal student aid administered by the U.S. Department of Education. It includes a summary listing of all the Title IV loans you have borrowed as well as details about each specific loan. In the case of Stafford, PLUS and Consolidation Loans, it includes those you have borrowed from either the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or the Federal Direct Loan

    Program (FDLP).

     

    Details are provided for each loan including:

     

    •       total amount borrowed;

    •       academic year (loan period) in which the loan was borrowed;

    •       amount of interest that has accrued as of the date it was last reported to NSLDS;

    •       total outstanding balance as of the date it was last reported to NSLDS;

    •       current lender (with contact information);

    •       current loan servicer (with contact information);

    •       current loan status; and

    •       interest rate.

     

    To obtain your loan summary and details from the NSLDS Web site:

    •       Go to www.nslds.ed.gov

    •       Select the “Financial Aid Review” option from the homepage

    •       Log in to NSLDS using your FSA ID (username) and password

     

     

    Fall 2016-17 Financial Aid

     

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, for the Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 academic year is now available online.  All students who wish to receive financial aid for the 2016-17 academic year are required to complete the new FAFSA.  The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible to insure your availability of financial aid for the upcoming 2016-17 academic year. You can access the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Our Title IV code is 001325 and must be included in your FAFSA application.

     

    The first set of financial aid awards for the 2016-17 academic year for continuing law students who completed a 2016-17 FAFSA have been processed by the main campus University Financial Aid Office.  Email notices were sent to USF email addresses beginning the last week of March.  Subsequent FAFSA award processing will continue on a weekly basis and continuing law students will be notified via email to your USF email account indicating that you can review your financial aid award online via your myUSF online student portal.

     

    Please note that all students including those who are currently receiving financial aid must complete an updated FAFSA every year in order to be considered for financial aid.  In addition, those students who wish to be considered for the Graduate PLUS loan program for the Fall 2016 & Spring 2017 academic year, must also complete a new PLUS loan application for each academic year.  Graduate PLUS loan applications for the 2016-17 academic year are available online at www.studentloans.gov.  Students can begin applying for a PLUS Loan only AFTER you have completed a FAFSA and have been offered the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and have “accepted” the Unsubsidized Loan amount in its entirety online via your myUSF student portal.

    Bar Loans for Graduating Law Students

    Graduating students needing financial assistance for living expense during the bar preparation period this summer may be eligible to apply for a credit-based private loan. These private loans are based on credit-worthiness and are subject to lender discretion. Information on bar loans and lenders who have been used by previous law school graduates is available on our financial aid web site at: https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/tuition-aid/jd/types-of-aid/loan-programs

    Please note that all bar loans require the Law School Financial Aid Office to certify your loan. Be sure to contact Rosanna Woods, the Assistant Director of Law Financial Aid, atrlwoods@usfca.edu, once you have applied online and have been approved for a bar loan.  In addition, bar loan funds are disbursed directly to the student and not to the University. 

    Summer 2016 Financial Aid and Intent to Enroll Form

    If you are interested in receiving financial aid for any USF School of Law Summer 2016 program (IAP, Regular Summer Session, Summer Externships for unit credit including local and International Summer Externships Abroad), you must complete and submit a Summer 2016 Intent to Enroll (ITE) form to the Law Financial Aid Office.  You must be registered in a minimum of 3 Summer units in order to be eligible for any federal Summer financial aid.

    Information on Summer financial aid as well as a Summer 2016 ITE form can be obtained online at: 

    https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/tuition-aid/jd/types-of-aid/summer

    In addition to submitting the Summer 2016 ITE Form, once you are registered for summer, you will need to complete a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS application online atwww.studentloans.gov.

    The priority deadline to submit the Summer 2016 ITE form was April 1, 2016. 

    IMPORTANT: Summer 2016 ITE forms and online Summer Graduate PLUS Loan applications can still be submitted AFTER the April 1 priority application deadline.  However, ITE applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If forms are received after the priority deadline, we cannot guarantee that summer loan processing will be complete by the May 1 summer tuition payment  deadline.  Therefore, it is imperative that you submit your Summer 2016 ITE form and Graduate PLUS loan application as soon as possible.

    Processing of any Summer 2016 ITE form/financial aid will not begin until AFTER you have registered for Summer classes.  More detailed summer registration information will be available on the Law Registrar web site at: http://myusf.usfca.edu/law/registration

    Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines

    USF Scholarships for Continuing Law Students:

    Administered by the DEANS’ Office:   Application window:  April 5th – April 26th

  • Arthur C. Zief, Jr. Scholarship Program: Multiple awards, up to 42 (forty-two), of $10,000 each will be granted to students with financial need and selected for their significant contribution(s) to the School of Law for non-curricular activities.
  • Bretzlaff Scholarship: A $10,000 award will be granted to a full-time student from Nevada or Hawaii who has financial need.
  • John Flynn Memorial Scholarship: $1,800 for a continuing student with a demonstrated interest in maritime law.

    • Additional criteria and details for the scholarships administered by the Deans’ Office are included on the application form, available online at https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/tuition-aid/jd/types-of-aid/scholarships/usf .  Questions about the above scholarships may be directed to Dean Benhardt at

    (415) 422-6304, or benhardt@usfca.edu

    Administered by the ALUMNI Office:   Application window: April 5th – April 26th

  • Daniel Levine Cook ’92 Scholarship:  $10,000 for continuing law student who shows academic promise.  Priority is given to a Jewish applicant

    •  

  • Daniel J. Curtin, Jr. ’57 Scholarship: $7,500 for a continuing student with an interest in municipal law or land use law.

    •  

  • Agnes O’Brien Smith ‘41 Scholarship:  $8,000 for a continuing student.  Applications judged on academic performance, leadership, and community service, and originality and clarity of essay.

    •  

  • Doug Raskin ‘87 Memorial Scholarship:  $2,000 for a continuing student whose life adheres to the principles that were important to Doug: travel experiences and adventure, interest in helping others, participation in athletics and recreational activities, importance of family and friends, and scholastic achievement.  

    •  

  • John Scully Scholarship:  $1,650 for a continuing student who enjoys outdoor activities.

    •  

  • Paul W. Vapnek '64 Ethics Scholarship:  $10,000 awarded in memory of an extraordinarily well respected expert in legal ethics to a continuing student who is interested in exploring this field of the law, whether or not the student ultimately decides on it as his or her area of practice.  

    • Additional criteria and details for scholarships administered by the Alumni Office are included on the application form, accessible from https://www.usfca.edu/law/admissions/tuition-aid/jd/types-of-aid/scholarships/usf . 

    Private Scholarships:

    The Edward C. Tang Scholarship

    Mr. Edward C. Tang established this award in 2007 to provide financial assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) for post-secondary Education. This scholarship is to help LGBT youth proudly achieve educational pursuits and dreams without shame. This scholarship awards up to two outstanding students annually, a combined scholarships totaling up to $15,000. These scholarships e renewable for a maximum of three or more years (a total of four years) provided each student annually meets the renewal requirements.

    Award Amount: varies
    Deadline: 4/30/2016

    https://sites.google.com/site/tangscholarship/

     

    M. Katherine Baird Darmer Equity Scholarship

    The Fund, which is sponsored by the Orange County Lavender Bar Association (OCLBA) and the Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC), will award one or more scholarships each year to academically qualified law students who have demonstrated commitment to advancing equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Orange County. Please visit the Law Financial Aid Office for application materials.

    Award Amount: Up to $5,000
    Deadline: 5/1/2016

     

    The AAJ Women for Justice Mike Eidson Scholarship

    The Scholarship is awarded annually to a rising 3L (or rising 4L in a night program) female student who has demonstrated a commitment to a career as a plaintiffs’ lawyer or criminal defense lawyer, along with dedication to upholding and defending the principals of the constitution, and to the concept of a fair trial.

    Award Amount: $5,000
    Deadline: 05/01/2016

    https://www.justice.org/what-we-do/enhance-practice-law/professional-recognition-awards-scholarship/scholarships/mike-eidson

     

    AAJ's Richard D. Hailey Law Student Scholarship

    The Richard D. Hailey Scholarships is awarded to the applicants who best meet the criteria listed, but not limited to, below:
    Exhibit an interest and proficiency of skills in trial advocacy
    Express a desire to represent victims
    Demonstrate a commitment to AAJ and dedication to its mission through involvement in an AAJ student chapter and Minority Caucus activities
    Show a financial need for the scholarship
    The Richard D. Hailey Scholarship is open to all first and second-year African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and biracial AAJ law student members.

    Award Amount: $5,000
    Deadline: 5/15/2016

    https://www.justice.org/what-we-do/enhance-practice-law/professional-recognition-awards-scholarship/scholarships/richard-d 

     

    Michigan Auto Law Diversity Scholarship

    As part of a commitment to diversity, Michigan Auto Law is pleased to sponsor an annual Scholarship Program to provide financial support to students who contribute to the diversity of the law school student body as they pursue their legal career. Must be a US Citizen accepted to or currently attending (1L or 2L) an accredited law school in the United States, have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and is a member of an ethnic or racial minority or demonstrates a defined commitment to issues of diversity within their academic career

    Award Amount: $2,000
    Deadline: 5/1/2016

    http://www.michiganautolaw.com/scholarships/diversity/

     

    Brown, PC National Tax Law Scholarship

    Awarded to a second or third year U.S. law student with a demonstrated interest in tax law. The award will be paid directly to the student, and can be used for any expenses related to legal education, including but not limited to tuition, room, board, books, bar review courses, or commuting expenses.

    Award Amount: $500
    Deadline: 5/31/2016

    http://www.browntax.com/National-Tax-Scholarship.shtml

    If you need any additional financial aid information, please feel free to contact the Law School Financial Aid Office at 415.422.6210 or email lawfinaid@usfca.edu.

     

    Office of the Registrar

    Wednesday, April 27

  • Administrative Friday and Holy Thursday Make‐Up Day. (Wednesday classes do not meet, Friday classes meet, and Thursday classes that begin 4:00pm and after meet.)
  • Last day of classes.
  • Last day to file an Incomplete Petition.
  • Last day to withdraw from individual classes with instructor’s permission. (Grade of “W” will appear on the student’s transcript.)

    • Degree Audits were emailed on 4/22 to expected December 2016, May 2017 and December 2017 grads.  If you have questions, please contact the Law Registrar’s Office.

    Information regarding final exams, including final exam numbers, room assignments and take-home exam instructions, will be emailed on Tuesday, 4/26.

    Office of Student Affairs

    Law Student Support Group Every Tuesday at 12:30 in Room 212

    USF Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will be holding a Law Student Support Group every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30 in Kendrick Room 212 for the rest of the semester. The support group is a safe environment for law students to talk about the issues and concerns that come up in your every day lives.  No rsvp necessary; just come ready to talk and to listen.  

    Hilary Anand, Ph.D, is a trained mental health counselor and will lead the support group.  If you have questions, you can reach out to her at hanand@usfca.edu or 415-422-6352. You can also contact Grace Hum, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, at ghum@usfca.edu. 

    Coffee Machine in the Student Lounge

    We have a new coffee machine in the student lounge. This machine is here on a trial basis to see if it works for our school. Please let us know how you feel about it either by completing this survey, or emailing your comments to Megan Watt at mwatt@usfca.edu.