Incoming Student Aid Process
Transfer Student Aid Process
Tuition & Refund Policy
Returning Student Aid Process
Federal Loan Application
Outside Scholarships
International Student Aid
Public Service Scholarship

Most financial aid at Boston College Law School is awarded on the basis of financial need. Typical financial aid packages consist of a grant or scholarship and low-interest loans. Over 85% of our students receive financial assistance, and more than 48% of all financial aid packages include scholarship or grant funding. Further information and directions for applying are available below.

BC Law offers three types of scholarship aid: need-based, merit, and the full-tuition Public Service Scholarships. For more information on the application process for need-based scholarships please see the Application Process below.   All students are considered for merit scholarships.  These academic awards are based on the information in your application for admission--no separate application is required.  Additionally, Public Service Scholarships are awarded to incoming students committed to careers in public interest law.  For application and details please click here.

The Law School generously supports students who choose to spend one or more of their summers working in public interest. Summer work-study and stipends are awarded to approximately 170 students each year to fund 10- week, full-time positions in government, public interest or non-profit sector jobs.

Financial assistance is also available to graduates who choose to pursue careers in public interest, primarily through the Francis X. Bellotti Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Program (LRAP details.)

INCOMING FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2012-2013

Application Priority Deadline:  March 15, 2012

Applicants to BC Law who wish to be considered for need-based aid should submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Need Access application.  For priority consideration, these forms should be submitted online by March 15, 2012 even if you haven't received an admission decision yet.  

• 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  Filing a FAFSA is required to receive federal financial aid, including up to  $20,500 per year in Stafford Loans. The FAFSA, available at www.fafsa.ed.gov, should be filed as soon as possible after January 1, 2012. If you have not yet completed your 2011 federal income tax returns, use estimated data to ensure  meeting the priority deadline.  The Boston College federal school code for the FAFSA is 002128.

• 2012-2013 Need Access Application
  In addition to $20,500 in a federal Stafford loan, applicants interested in being considered for institutional grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans must also file the Access Group's Need Access Application. Note: Parental data is required for all applicants. Applications are available online at www.needaccess.org.

Upon your acceptance to the law school, an initial review of your processed FAFSA and Need Access data will take place and the Financial Aid Office will calculate a conditional award indicating your eligibility. Award letters are accessed via Boston College's intranet system known as the Agora Portal.  You will be emailed credentials for accessing Agora shortly after admission.

Once you have submitted your second seat deposit, you will need to validate your conditional award by submitting additional documents to substantiate the information on your financial aid applications.  The types of aid you are awarded will determine which documents are necessary to complete your file.

All students must submit the Incoming Law Student Validation Form, along with a signed copy of your 2011 federal income tax return with all schedules and all 2011 W-2(s) and 1099(s).  The Law Validation Form will be available for download from the forms bank on the Student Service website after January 1, 2012. If you will not file your taxes by this time, a copy of the tax extension form must be submitted. In the case of extensions, copies of tax returns must be submitted upon completion.

Students who received a Law School Scholarship or Law School Loan in addition to federal Stafford loans must submit the above documents as well as copies of their parents' 2011 federal income tax return with all schedules and all 2011 W-2(s) and 1099(s).

After you have received a conditional award, you may check documents necessary to complete your file by clicking on the Financial Aid Status link on the My Services Tab in Agora.  Please mail all financial aid documents to:

*Policy for Returning Submitted Aid Application Documents*

For more information regarding the financial aid process for 2011-2012, call us at 617-552-4243. 

TRANSFER STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROCESS FOR 2012-2013

Transfer students can be awarded up to $20,500 in the federal Direct Stafford Loan Program.  Additionally, transfer students are eligible to apply for the federal Grad PLUS loan to supplement the Stafford loan and help pay for living expenses.  The FAFSA must be submitted in order to be eligible for federal aid.

Upon acceptance, an initial review of your processed FAFSA data will take place and the Financial Aid Office will determine your eligibility for federal Direct Stafford Loans. Award notifications are accessed via Boston College's intranet system known as the Agora Portal.  You will be mailed credentials for accessing Agora shortly after admission.

For more information regarding the financial aid process for 2012-2013, call us at 617-552-4243.

TUITION

Tuition for full-time students during the 2012-2013 academic year is $21,585 per semester. Fall semester is billed in June and due in August.  Spring tuition is billed in November and due in December. The Trustees of Boston College reserve the right to increase tuition and fees and to set new fees. Any changes may be made applicable to students already enrolled in the school.

*Room = Rent: $900 x 9 months = $8,100

Withdrawals and Refunds

Tuition is refundable if notice of withdrawal is made in writing to the Dean, using the appropriate university form. The date of receipt of the withdrawal notice will determine the amount of tuition refunded.

No tuition will be refunded after the fifth week of classes.

CONTINUING STUDENTS FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 2012-2013

To renew your financial aid for your 2L and 3L years you must complete the two applications below each year. Deadline: April 15, 2012

The FAFSA, available on the FAFSA website, must be completed as soon as possible after January 1, 2012.  If you have not yet completed your 2011 federal income tax returns,  use estimated tax information so that you may submit the form in a timely manner.

A 2012-2013 Boston College Law School Financial Aid Application/Validation Form must be completed each year. Applicants must complete every question this form. If a question does not apply, note "N/A" in the space provided. If questions are left blank, your application will be returned to you for completion and this will delay the review of your file. Any special circumstances you would like us to consider may be addressed in either the Special Circumstances section or on an addendum included with the application. We recommend that you copy your application for your records prior to mailing it.

Please mail the BC Law School Financial Aid Application/Validation Form and any necessary tax forms to:

Loan Processing

To receive the loan funding for which you are eligible, applicants must submit:

• Federal Direct Loans
  

  Your must complete a master promissory note (MPN) with the US Department of Education's Direct Loan. To complete your MPN, please visit the Direct Loan website at: http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/finaid/federal_student_loans/federal_direct.html You will need your FAFSA PIN to access the site in order to e-sign your MPN.  Your loans will not be disbursed to your student account until you complete this process.  In addition to completing the MPN, you will also need to complete Entrance Counseling prior to your loans being disbursed. Further information on Entrance Counseling is below.
  

• Federal Grad PLUS Loan

Law students are eligible to apply for federal Grad PLUS loans; however, you must first have your eligibility for the federal Stafford Loan program determined. To learn more about PLUS loans, please visit the BC website at http://www.bc.edu/offices/stserv/financial/finaid/federal_student_loans/plus.html

Entrance Counseling

Federal regulation requires that student who borrow federal Stafford, Grad Plus or Perkins loan(s) must complete an entrance counseling session prior to funds  disbursing to student accounts.  You may complete this short online session at http://studentloans.gov.  Until you have completed this process, Boston College will not be able to receive your loan funds.

Outside Scholarship Opportunities

From time to time we are contacted by outside organizations sponsoring scholarships for prospective and/or current law students.  You can also visit FastAid for outside scholarship opportunities on-line. FastAid.com is the world's oldest and largest private-sector scholarship database.

The Hudson County Bar Foundation

The Hudson County Bar Foundation (NJ) is awarding scholarships to prospective (class of 2015) and current law studnets (class of 2013 and 2014) from Hudson County, New Jersey. Students must demonstrate financial need and account for appropriate academic standards.  Interested applicants can contact the Hudson County Bar Foundation at (201) 798-4708 or download an application from www.hcbalaw.com. Email inquiries can be sent to events@hcbalaw.com.
Application Receipt Deadline: May 15, 2012

Adler Pollock & Sheehan (AP&S) Diversity Scholarship

Members of the incoming class of 2015 are invited to apply for the Adler Pollock & Sheehan (AP&S) Diversity Scholarship.  One annual scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded to a minority student with financial need, demonstrated academic excellence, and a demonstrated commitment to community.  Members of some of the monority groups that will be considered include the following:   African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Gay/Lesbian or other minority group.  Additional qualifying criteria include:  permanent residency in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.  Scholarship recipients with high academic achievement during their first year of law school will be considered for summer employment at AP&S.  For further details and to download an application, please visit www.apslaw.com.  Application deadline:  June 1, 2012

Berkshire County Bar Association Frank H. Wright Memorial Scholarship

The Berkshire County Bar association will be accepting applications for the Frank H. Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund for academic year 2012-2013.  The scholarship is a one year award to prospective first year law students (class of 2015) who are residents of Berkshire County (MA) and have demonstrated academic excellence, a strong commitment to their community, and a firm understanding of local citizenship.  For further details and to downloand an application, please go to www.bershirebar.com.  Application deadline is August 6, 2012.

The Essex County Bar Association (ECBA)

The Essex County Bar Association is accepting applications for the Biunno Scholarship for incoming law students with a permanent physical or mental disability.  New Jersey residency required, with preference given to Essex County.  Additionally, preference is given to those applicants intending to pursue a career in advocacy for persons with disabilities.  Medical documentation re disability is required.  For application and further details, please contact the ECBA headquarters at (973) 622-6204, ext. 14 or email at imendez@essexbar.com. Deadline: June 8, 2012.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All international students who do not hold U.S. citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency status should make arrangements for their financial obligations to Boston College Law School and for their entire stay in the United States before leaving their homeland. The availability of financial aid for international students is limited to scholarships based on the merit of their admission application.  International students who apply for the Public Service Scholarship will also be considered, on the basis of their demonstrated commitment to Public Service work. There are some private companies that will make student loans to international students, but these companies all require a U.S. citizen as a co-signer on the loan application.  Visa forms will be mailed to students once they have been accepted and have verified they can meet the financial obligations set by BC Law. All international students who do hold U.S. citizenship or are U.S. Permanent Residents are fully eligible to receive all types of financial aid.