Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

Regent University School of Law has budgeted $2.7 million in scholarships and grants for the 2010-2011 AY.

 

Student Information
 

 

ELIGIBILITY

Since scholarship funds are limited, students should not depend solely on these funds to cover tuition. Students not awarded scholarship or grant for their first year of law school may apply for assistance for subsequent years based on academic performance as a law student, financial need, demonstrated public service and/or recognized leadership contributions made to the law school or univeristy.

All law school aid is contingent upon student adherence to the Regent University Honor Code and Standard of Personal Conduct (www.regent.edu/admin/stusrv/student/intro.html). 

Law school aid is available to full-time and part-time, degree-seeking students; it is not available to auditing and visiting students.

Law schools aid only applies toward tuition and are based on the following credit hour expectations:

Full-Time Students:
  • First year - 16 Fall and 15 Spring
  • Second year - 15 Fall and 15 Spring.  2L students may modify their schedule, but must maintain at least 10 credit hours per semester.
  • Third year - 15 Fall and 15 spring.  3L students may modify their schedule and are permitted to take less than 10 credit hours per semester with approval from the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.  Students taking less than 10 credit hours a semester should contact the Law School Financial Aid Office to ensure institutional aid is applied properly.*
Part-Time Students:
  • First year -12 Fall and 11 Spring
  • Second and third year -11 Fall and Spring
  • Fourth year - 11 Fall and Spring. Students may take less than 8 credit hours is graduating during the academic year.*

*Federal Student Loan eligibility requires full-time student to maintain six credit hours per fall and spring semesters, and three credits for summer; VTAG eligibility requires nine credit hours per fall and spring semesters.

The university student budget will package all full-time students for 30 credit hours annually, and 22 credit hours for part-time students. Though this is not always accurate, it is required by the university to manage the student loan program effectively and efficiently.

 

SUMMER SEMESTER

Typically, the law school does not award scholarships and grants for the summer semester.  Most students utilize a Grad PLUS loan to cover the cost of attendance, including study abroad prgrams. The FAFSA used for the fall and spring semesters also applies for the following summer; students should contact their CFA Counselors for summer loans in late February or early March.

 

JOINT DEGREE STUDENTS

School of Law awards are only applicable to tuition included in the law school program. Students typically begin a joint degree program in the non law discipline [Business, Divinity, Government, etc.], then complete the law school requirements during the last three years of the joint degree program. (see Deferred Students). With approval, some students may have the option to take School of Law and Government coursework simultaneously. School of Law scholarships and grants will not be awarded unless students first confirm their academic schedule with the School of Law Financial Aid Office.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For financial aid purposes, an international student with permanent residence status (a green card) is considered an immigrant and is eligible for US federal and private loans. A non-immigrant international student (not a permanent resident) is not eligible for US federal loans. Both immigrant and non-immigrant international students may apply for school-based scholarships and grants. International students may refer to the University Web pages for further information (www.regent.edu/admissions/international/#app).

DEFERRED STUDENTS

The law school financial aid budget is established yearly, therefore, students who have been granted a one-year deferral must reapply for financial aid for the year in which they will matriculate. Awards granted previously by the law school and/or the joint degree school may not necessarily apply. Deferred applicants must reapply for financial aid concurrent with the abbreviated admissions application update or no later than April 1.

LOAN DEFERMENT

Some students' lenders allow deferment of outstanding student loan payments while the student is pursuing graduate study at Regent University, while other lenders may require monthly interest payments. It is the responsibility of the student to contact his/her lending institution to find out if a loan can be deferred while attending Regent University. Students desiring Regent University to complete loan deferment forms must submit proper forms to the Registrar's Office. The deferment forms will be completed after the student has completed the registration process.

SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS

All law school awards (scholarships, grants, and endowments) include some element of merit in the selection process.  Award criteria, amounts, and process are set annually by the law school deans and the office of admissions and financial aid.  Renewal criteria is firm for continuing students.

CHANGING PROGRAMS

While studying at Regent University School of Law, students may exercise a one-time transfer option, changing from the part-time to the full-time program (or vice versa) at the end of an academic year. Law school aid will be revised and does not necessarily adjust proportionately to the credit hour diferential.  Students considering changing programs should contact the law school financial aid office prior to changing programs to determine if and how their scholaship or grant will be affected.

REINSTATED STUDENTS

Students who are reinstated following academic dismissal may apply for a Regent Law Grant after completing one semester with a 2.0 GPA. The grant, if awarded, may not necessarily equal any previously awarded amounts. Students should be familiar with terms of  the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for federal student loans. Further information on SAP can be found on the Central Financial Aid Office website.

 

The financial aid programs outlined herein replace all previous brochures and representations.

All awards are subject to the availability of funds. Therefore, all Regent University financial aid programs may be revised or discontinued at any time without prior notice. Once individual program funds have been expended, no further awards will be made.