| The financial aid application process is separate from the admissions application. Do not wait for your admissions acceptance before applying for financial aid.
The prospective student priority filing date for financial aid is March 1, 2010. Applicants seeking need-based funding from Suffolk are encouraged to apply for financial aid by this priority filing date, although applications are accepted throughout the year. Financial aid funds are awarded on a rolling basis, and grants will be awarded first to students who meet the March 1 deadline.
New students are notified of their financial aid awards on a rolling basis, beginning in March. To receive a financial aid award letter, applicants must be accepted for admission and have a complete financial aid file.
To apply for all types of financial assistance, submit the following documents by March 1, 2010:
1. 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Apply on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There is no charge to complete this application. Be sure to list Suffolk University Law School’s federal school code of E00517, and Suffolk will receive your FAFSA data directly from the Department of Education. For fast and efficient submission of this application, download and complete this 10/11 FAFSA on the Web Pre-Application Worksheet (available January 1) before you complete the FAFSA on-line.
The FAFSA is the application for all federal student aid and is required by all schools in order to award you federal aid. The form collects income and asset information from the student (and spouse, if married).
Prospective students who are only applying for federal loans do not need to submit any additional forms or tax returns (unless selected for verification by Suffolk or the federal government) in order to receive a Federal Stafford Loan award from Suffolk Law. Students requesting only federal loans can submit the FAFSA at any time throughout the fall and spring semesters.
2. 2010-2011 Need Access Application
The Need Access Application is required only for prospective students who are applying for grants and need-based scholarships from Suffolk University Law School. Students who are applying only for federal loans do not need to complete this form. The 2010-2011 Need Access Application wll be available on January 1, 2010.
Apply on the web at www.needaccess.org. There is a $28 application fee. Be sure to indicate Suffolk University Law School in the school section and Suffolk will receive your data directly from Access Group.
The Need Access Application collects detailed income and asset information from both the student and parents. Suffolk Law requires parent data from applicants requesting grant funds to help us distribute our need-based funds equitably. Although parents may be unable to contribute to their children’s graduate education, viewing potential family contribution as a whole is necessary in establishing financial need. If extenuating circumstances prevent a student from submitting the required parent information, the student may submit a written, detailed request for a waiver. This request should be submitted directly to the Suffolk Law Office of Financial Aid by mail or email at lawfaid@suffolk.edu (use “waiver of parent data” for email subject).
3. Signed Copies of 2009 Federal Income Tax Returns for both the student (and spouse, if married) and parents.
Tax information is required only for prospective students who are applying for grants and need-based scholarships from Suffolk Law School, and students who are selected for verification. Tax returns should be sent directly to the Suffolk Law School Office of Financial Aid. If 2009 federal income tax returns are not available by the March 1 priority filing date, please send them once completed. Do not send 2008 tax information. The Office of Financial Aid can usually extend a tentative financial aid award without tax returns. The award will then be finalized once the 2009 tax returns are received.
4. Students with special circumstances that may affect the family’s ability to contribute to educational expenses should address their concerns in the "special circumstances" section of the Need Access application, which is reviewed by the Suffolk University Law School office of Financial Aid.
The priority filing date for financial assistance is
March 1, 2010. Applications received after that date will be reviewed
for a Federal Stafford Loan and will be considered for Suffolk grants
and loans as funding permits. |