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.

Applying for Financial Aid/FAFSA Application for Fall 2024/Spring 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 academic year is now available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  All students who wish to receive financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year are required to complete the new 2024-25 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 2024/Spring 2025 will begin in early May for current students who have completed a 2024-25 FAFSA as long as the 2024-25 FAFSA is completed and USF receives your FAFSA information by the priority date March 1, 2024. 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.

IMPORTANT: The 2024-25 FAFSA can be completed after March 1 priority deadline, and you will still be able to receive federal educational loan aid for this year. However, delaying completing your FAFSA will affect when you receive your award notice.  The FAFSA should be completed as soon as possible in order to receive the maximum financial aid consideration for 2024-25.

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).

2025-26 FAFSA FILING

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 academic year is NOW available online https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Spring 2025 Tuition Payment Deadline- January 2, 2025

All law students who completed online registration for Spring 2025 classes will be billed for Spring 2025 tuition and fees by the USF Student Accounts Office in December 2. You have been notified via email notice by the USF Student Accounts Office when your Spring tuition bill is available to view online via your myUSF student portal.  Please note that all registered students will be charged for USF Health insurance for the Spring semester, unless you have already applied and been approved for a waiver of this fee.  If you have not yet applied for a waiver you can do so online for the Spring semester beginning November 30, by completing the online waiver application on the USF Health Promotions Services website at: https://myusf.usfca.edu/hps/insurance. 
 
Tuition and fees are due on January 2, 2025 and can be paid with Authorized Financial Aid, personal funds, a combination of both or enrollment in the payment plan,
https://myusf.usfca.edu/billing-tuition/payment-plan.  Please note that any Authorized Financial Aid for Spring 2025 will be noted on your student account once your Spring 2025 tuition bill is posted.  If your total Authorized Financial Aid is sufficient to pay your Spring bill, you do not need to make any payment with personal funds.  If your student account still shows a balance due even with Authorized Financial Aid, you can make an online payment via your myUSF student portal.

Spring 2025 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 Spring 2025 is Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Once funds disburse, your Spring 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.

Spring 2025 Refund Process

Once Spring 2025 financial aid disburses, the refund process for any remaining aid/credit left over after your semester charges are paid will begin on Monday, January 6.  Refunds should be received in your designated bank account 3-5 business days later, if you are enrolled in direct deposit refund processing. If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, a refund check will be issued and you should receive a check 7-10 business days AFTER the refund process begins.  Information on enrolling in direct deposit can be found online at:
https://myusf.usfca.edu/billing-tuition/refunds

Direct deposit refund processing is the quickest way to receive a refund and you are encouraged to enroll in this process if you have not already done so.

Upcoming Private Scholarship Deadlines   

Wells Call Injury Lawyers Law School Scholarship
At Wells Call Injury Lawyers, we believe that everyone deserves a chance at pursuing higher education, regardless of background. In order to help more students who are passionate about the law and helping others in the industry, Wells Call is sponsoring a law school scholarship, where students who are pursuing law degrees are able to win a $2,500 scholarship to put towards their law school education.
Deadline: December 2, 2024
Amount: $2,500

Talkov Law's Future of the Law Scholarship
Founded on January 2, 2020, Talkov Law is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving law student who authors a winning essay in our Annual Future of the Law Scholarship Essay Contest.  America has an incredible justice system, but it could use more exceptional advocates with a passion for innovation in the future of the law. For our Annual Scholarship Contest, we are pleased to support a future lawyer who demonstrates through past, current and expected future deeds a genuine commitment to provide innovation and a new perspective to the legal system.  As Real Estate Lawyers, Bankruptcy Attorneys, Family Law Lawyers, and Business Litigators, Talkov Law specializes in representing all parties involved in these civil disputes by providing innovative solutions that help forge the future of the law.
Deadline: December 14, 2024
Amount: $1,000

The Law Place - Law School Scholarship
Here at The Law Place, we understand that the decision to go to law school is perhaps the most important decision of your life so far, and we want to help. According to data released by the U.S News and World Report, which studies over 197 law programs up and down the country, the average cost of attending law school currently sits at $43,020 dollars. This makes law one of the most expensive subjects that a student can choose to study. It is a massive commitment. That is why The Law Place decided to annually offer a $2,500 scholarship to one student who can demonstrate to us their dedication and appreciation of what studying law means to them. We want to help ease the financial burden of the next generation of law students.
Deadline: December 15, 2024
Amount: $2,500

Fob James Law Firm Scholarship
At Fob James Law Firm, we are committed to helping individuals that sustain personal injuries. We understand how challenging it is for families when a loved one suffers an injury. We strive to put our clients first, so they get the settlement they deserve. We want to hear from law students about the challenges they’ve dealt with and how that’s impacted who they are today. We are asking students to write a 300-400 words essay about the following: Describe how you plan on giving back to your community once you become a lawyer. We want law students to explain how they plan on helping their community with their law degree; and their experiences in law school that motivated them to do so.
Deadline: December 15, 2024
Amount: $1,000

The Dominguez Firm Legal Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes that individual's academic achievements and unique goals despite their struggles, or challenges, and looking to make a difference in his or her community and the future.
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Amount: $2,500

Daniel Kim Scholarship
At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we believe that investing in the next generation of leaders is the key to progress. Daniel Kim is a leader in his community and an exceptional personal injury lawyer helping injury victims in Orange County or Los Angeles protect their rights to recover their losses. The Law Offices of Daniel Kim focuses on representing victims of motor vehicle accidents and ensures that they get the compensation they deserve. We are inspired by our clients, who have overcome the impact of an accident and become agents of change in their communities. This motivates us to support local students and help them pursue their dreams with The Law Offices of Daniel Kim Scholarship. The scholarship will grant $5,000 to one eligible student who is enrolled or planning to enroll in college or graduate school.
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Amount: $5,000

Corey, Luzaich, de Ghetaldi & Riddle Legacy Scholarship
CLD&R’s partners believe that the continuing strength of the legal profession lies in its future members. They know that engaging with other lawyers who bring varying perspectives benefits the collective pursuit for justice. The goal of this scholarship is to foster the advancement of diversity in the legal profession for generations to come. 
Deadline: January 6, 2025
Amount: TBD

Schiffmann Injury Lawyers Scholarship
Education is the cornerstone of a full and rewarding life. Unfortunately, many families have to make a difficult choice after an accident: Pay expensive medical bills or fund a child’s college fund. We help deserving scholars keep education within reach, no matter what curveballs life throws at them.  Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys couldn’t hold the people and organizations that cause injuries accountable without a high-quality university education. The financial strain of an accident shouldn’t mean that you have to struggle to attain a quality education that sets you up for a successful life. We encourage you to apply for our Toronto Personal Injury Scholarship. Review the prompt below and submit your application by the deadline to be considered. We look forward to reading your submission.
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Amount: $1,000

MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship (DACA/International Students)
We’re looking to fund students with high potential as a leader and advocate. In recognition of the extraordinary potential of these students, we’ve created the MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship. We’ve intentionally designed this scholarship program to be as broad as possible to match the broad, diverse experiences of international students. 
Deadline: January 31, 2025
Amount: $2,000 - $10,000

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship
Each year the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas of study including history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science and English. 
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 31, 2024

Harter Secrest & Emery Llp Diversity Scholarship
The Harter Secrest & Emery LLP Diversity Scholarship Program was established in 2005. The firm awards two 1L law students with (1) a $7,500 scholarship to be applied to the student’s second year tuition and (2) a paid summer associate position in the firm’s Rochester or Buffalo, NY office between the student’s first and second year of law school.
Amount: $7,500
Deadline: February 7, 2025