Scholarships
Public Service Scholarship
Loan Funds
Private Education Loans
Computer Purchases
Other Financial Aid Options
Law Scholarship
The law school is concerned with the problems of economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and offers a need-based scholarship program for qualifying students. Application for this award is made through the regular financial aid process. Awards are renewable annually upon satisfactory completion of law school courses.
Law Grant Program
This is a need-based tuition award. Application is made through the regular financial aid process. Awards are renewable annually.
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
The Warren County Bar Foundation
The Warren County Bar Foundation invites prospective law students to apply for its annual Scholarship. To be eligible, applicants must be a resident of Warren County (NY) or a county contiguous; and admitted to law school. Scholastic record and financial need will be considered. For further information and application forms, please contact the Warren County Bar Foundation at (518) 792-9239 or on-line at www.wcba-ny.com. Application receipt deadline is August 1, 2008.
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship Opportunity for New Americans
Please note a Fellowship Opportunity for Law students who qualify as "New Americans" and belong to the class of 2010 or 2011. Qualifying criteria pertaining to status as "New American" encompass one of the following: 1. U.S. Resident Alien, i.e., holds a Green Card; 2. naturalized U.S. citizen; 3. child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. Additionally, there is an age cut off for applicants: students born prior to November 1st, 1978 do not meet the age criteria. The Fellowship is comprised of a grant for up to 2 years for living expenses ('maintenance") of $20,000 and a tuition grant of one-half the tuition cost of the attending institution, up to a maximum of $16,000 per academic year. Application deadline is a postmark date of November 1, 2008. For further information and to download an application, please go to www.pdsoros.org.
Rhode Island Foundation: Marilynne Graboys Wool Scholarship
Prospective female law students (class of 2011) from Rhode Island with financial need are invited to apply for the Marilynne Graboys Wool Scholarship ($2,000). Application receipt deadline: June 20, 2008. Applications can be downloaded from www.rifoundation.org
Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) are cosponsoring the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr., Scholarship Program for entering first year law students (class of 2011). Ten scholarships will be awarded for $10,000 each per year, and up to three years. In addition, a few runner-ups will receive a one-time gift of $10,000. For more details and for applications, please visit www.uncf.org in the scholarship section. You can also contact UNCF at (703)-205-3443.
Application receipt deadline is June 1, 2008.
Adler Pollock & Sheehan Diversity Scholarship
Incoming Law students (Class of 2011) 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 minority groups that will be considered include the following: African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, Gay/Lesbian. Additional qualifying criteria include: permanent residency in Massachusetts or Rhode Island; desire to work and reside in Massachusetts or Rhode Island upon graduation. Scholarship recipients with high academic achievement during their first year of law school will be considered for summer employment at AP&S. Applications can be downloaded from www.apslaw.com. Application deadline: June 1, 2008
LOAN FUNDS
Law School Loan
The Law School Loan fund is a need-based, low-interest loan program administered by the university and awarded in conjunction with the law school Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. The interest rate of 5 percent begins to accrue six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time, and the maximum repayment period is 10 years.
Federal Perkins Loan
This need-based loan is provided from Boston College's federal funds. The interest rate of 5 percent begins to accrue on the loan nine months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time, and the maximum repayment period is ten years.
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program
The Federal Stafford Loan is a need-based, federally subsidized loan made to students attending school at least half-time. You may be eligible to borrow up to $8,500 per year. The interest rate for new borrowers and those students with no outstanding student loan balance is variable, with an 8.25 percent cap. For prior borrowers, the interest rate varies in accordance with the year of the initial loan. The appropriate interest rate may be obtained from the lender or loan servicer. No interest accrues during the in-school deferment period, and repayment begins six months after you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time. There is a 3 percent origination fee. In addition, lenders may charge a guarantee fee of up to 1 percent.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program
Through this loan program, you may borrow up to $18,500, minus your subsidized Stafford eligibility. The interest rate and repayment terms are identical to the Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan except that interest accrues during the in-school period. However, interest payments may be deferred until you graduate or cease to be enrolled at least half-time.
There are a number of additional alternative loan programs available to law students. A credit check is required to determine eligibility for these loans. You are strongly encouraged to resolve any credit problems before you enter law school if you plan to use these programs. The following is a list of Alternative Loan Options that BC Law students have previously used along with a link to their websites:
Access Group
1-800-282-1550
Apply over the phone or on-line at www.accessgroup.org (which has an electronic signature option). Note: Access Group also offers the Stafford Loan Program with a 0% origination and guarantee fee.
Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
1-800-266-0243
Loan for Graduate Education.....Apply over the phone or on-line at www.mefa.org.
Note: MEFA also offers the Stafford Loan Program.
Citibank
1-800-745-5473
Citiassist Law Loan.....................Apply over the phone or on-line at studentloan.citibank.com (with electronic signature). Note: CitiAssist also offers the Stafford Loan Program.
Download the PDF form: Click here
The Public Service Scholarships provide 2/3 tuition annually to highly qualified applicants who plan to practice law in service of the public. In keeping with Boston College Law School's mission of education for service to others, this program encourages students to seek careers in the public sector, notwithstanding the expense and associated debts of their legal education and the relatively low salaries associated with such careers.
The Scholarship Committee has established the following criteria for evaluating applicants:
- a long standing, demonstrated commitment to serve the public through employment, advocacy and /or volunteer activities.
- a stated intent to pursue a career in public interest/public service law,
- evidenced leadership ability and
- past very strong academic performance and outstanding academic promise.
Whenever feasible, finalist candidates will be required to interview with the Law School. Financial need, as demonstrated on the Need Access or Profile application, will be used to differentiate among otherwise qualified finalists.
Recipients must reapply each year for the award. The scholarship committee will request an updated resume and list of activities and summer work (paid and volunteer) that together demonstrate the recipient's continued commitment to public interest and public service law. Public Service Scholars will be required to provide new commitment letters before the beginning of each fall semester. For the scholarship to be renewed Public Service Scholarships must meet the following criteria:
- Public Service Scholars are expected to work both of their summers during law school for a public interest organization (exceptions to this policy will be considered in extraordinary circumstances and must be authorized by the Scholarship Committee). Three broad categories of employment meet this criterion : These are the same categories that qualify graduates for the Willier Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP).
- organizations that provide direct legal services to clients who are indigent and/or members of traditionally underrepresented groups. These organizations may be private, non-profit, entities or government entities. Examples of such organizations include, but are not limited to, legal services organizations and public defender's offices.
- private, non-profit employers...(examples include organizations with a :501 (c)(3)" or "501 (c)(4)" tax exempt status, such as the ACLU and the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund.)
- state, municipal or federal government agencies, examples include district attorney offices and attorney general offices."
- Public Service Scholars are expected to take a substantial leadership role in the public interest community at the Law School. Examples of activities that would fulfill this expectation are:
-assist in running the annual Cover Conference;
-organize the Law School's annual Diversity month;
-assume a leadership role in PILF or other public interest organizations;
-organize colloquia on public policy and law topics.
Public Service Scholars are expected to work for a public interest organization (as described above) after graduation. The Committee will conduct individual exit interviews with Public Service Scholars in March of their final year to discuss their career plans. Public Service Scholars are expected to work a minimum of 5 years in public service work after graduation. Scholars who decide not to pursue a career in the public sector are expected to repay the Public Service Scholarship. Public Service Scholars who work less than five years in public service are expected to repay the scholarship for whatever part of the five-year commitment that remains.
Download the PDF form: Click here
If you would like to use private educational loan funding to help offset the expense of a computer purchase, please present the receipt, along with a letter of appeal, to the attention of Jill Barnhart, Assistant Director for Financial Aid. Each appeal will be considered on an individual basis. We cannot honor purchases made prior to four weeks before the start of classes. This is a one-time expense for all three years and we will have a maximum allowance of $3,000.
Other Financial Aid Options
Other Financial Aid Options
Through the gifts of alumni and benefactors, the law school offers a number of specialized scholarships to incoming and continuing students. In addition, many bar associations and corporations, as well as fraternal and other organizations, offer scholarships and loans to law students. We encourage you to contact all such organizations to which you or members of your family belong, and to research other opportunities in libraries and financial aid offices.
William C. Willier Public Interest
Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Boston College Law School places a high priority on enabling and encouraging students to work in legal services, public defenders' agencies, government, the judiciary and not-for-profit corporations. The William Willier Loan Assistance Program provides support for public interest law within the law school and the broader legal community. The Willier program includes honorary graduation stipends for individuals who intend to pursue careers in public interest law and awards to assist graduates working in the public interest with repayment of educational debt. More information is located in the Career Services section of the website.
Federal College Work-Study Program
Boston College offers a broad variety of employment opportunities through the federally funded College Work-Study Program. Academic-year and summer work-study opportunities may be on campus or at off-campus, non-profit agencies and often involve law-related work. Work-study is awarded through the financial aid office.
Other Student Employment
The university Student Employment Office is a clearinghouse for all positions on and off campus. Students may apply for positions during both the academic year and the summer. Summer positions in other cities and regions often are listed. For positions that do not require work-study eligibility, contact the Office of Student Service, Lyons Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.
The Law School recognizes that employment during the academic year may be needed to finance a legal education. American Bar Association accreditation standards require full-time students to limit employment to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Substantial employment during the first year of law school is strongly discouraged.