Loans

Tuition, Fees, and the Student Budget

Click here to view the current schedule of tuition and fees, as well as the current financial aid loan budget.

Financial Aid at Akron Law

The University of Akron School of Law does not have a dedicated financial aid office. Rather, law students at The University of Akron are served by the Office of Student Financial Aid, which also serves undergraduate and graduate students. Law students and admitted applicants should address questions regarding loans directly to Student Financial aid and should work directly with that office in arranging for law school loan financing. Click here for Student Financial Aid contact information.

Applying for Aid

Complete a FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of each year. (Note: The University of Akron does not use the GAPS/FAS). After the University receives information from the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing Service about financial need, a Financial Aid award Proposal will be sent to the student. It will include all forms of financial assistance that have been awarded, plus notice of the student's eligibility for a Stafford Loan (see below).
Student Financial Aid will not accept applications until such time as that office has received information from the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing Service and sent an award proposal to the student. New students are generally processed during April and May. Continuing students will receive award proposals after the end of the spring semester.
After the FAFSA has been received, it is reviewed and the data verified before Stafford Loan processing can begin. Delays may occur during peak periods.
The University of Akron FAFSA Code is 003123.
Note: This information is subject to rapid change. Contact lenders for the most up-to-date information. The University of Akron is not responsible for changes in terms of loans. Students should ask questions of the lenders and do their own investigation and evaluation of which of these or other commercial loan products best suit their individual needs. Click here for a list of factors to consider when evaluating lenders.
Note: The University of Akron and The University of Akron School of Law do not endorse or recommend any one lender over another. This information is supplied for reference purposes only.
Note: Law students at The University of Akron are not eligible for Perkins loans or federal work-study.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must make satisfactory academic progress to receive or renew federal financial aid. Essentially, 75 percent of attempted credits must be successfully completed. The minimum grade-point average is 2.00. See the current Student Financial Aid Award Guide for complete information. Generally, academic progress is measured once each year, at the completion of spring semester.

Federal Loan Programs

The Stafford Loan Program is a federal, need-based loan program for students attending at least half-time. Up to $20,500 may be borrowed each year, up to $8,500 of which is subsidized (i.e., the federal government pays the interest on this portion of the loan while the student attends law school). Any money that comes from the Stafford program that does not fall into the subsidized category is considered unsubsidized (i.e., interest on the loan accrues while the student attends law school). In order to be considered for Stafford loans, it is necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
The Graduate PLUS Loan is a credit-based federal loan program for graduate and professional students, and is available as a supplement to Stafford and Alternative loans (see below). The fixed rate and terms of these loans can often provide a more attractive loan product than many alternative loan programs for eligible graduate and professional students.

Alternative Loans

Private, or alternative, loan programs are designed to bridge the funding gap when savings, scholarships, grants, federal loans, and other resources are not sufficient. Applications for Alternative loans can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid after the student receives an award proposal stating his/her eligibility for a Stafford Loan.

Debt and Credit

Some Alternative loans are granted based on levels of debt and credit rating. For information on debt and credit counseling, visit www.nfcc.org.
To find your FICO (Fair, Isaac & Co.) credit score, and for useful information about consumer credit, visit www.myfico.com.
A note regarding debt and Bar Exam clearance: The fiscal health of a law graduate as it relates to bar admission is a VERY REAL and VERY SERIOUS matter. Law students should take steps to clean up consumer debt before entering law school and to manage their consumer credit very conservatively and wisely during law school. It is fair to say that debt alone will not result in the Supreme Court denying permission to sit for the bar exam. However, debt coupled with poor decisions, or no plan to manage or eliminate the debt could create a question for the character and fitness committee of any given state bar admissions office and ultimately contribute to a decision to deny permission to sit for the bar exam.

Short-Term Emergency Loan Fund

The School of Law Dean's Office has an emergency loan fund to assist law students unexpectedly faced with pressing financial obligations. Interest-free loans are available from $25 up to $250 and are usually due to be repaid within four to eight weeks. To borrow, students must be in good academic standing and currently enrolled in the School of Law.
See the School of Law Receptionist in room 136 (the School of Law Dean's Office) for more information on Short-Term Emergency Loans.

Bar Exam Loans

Graduating law students often borrow money to finance bar exam registration costs, exam-related preparatory materials, and associated living expenses.
For more information on Bar Exam Loans, contact Student Financial Aid or click here to run an internet search.

Loan Inquiries

The University of Akron
Office of Student Financial Aid
Akron, Ohio 44325-2901
800.621.3847

Student Financial Aid Contacts:
Pamela Arrington
Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid
330.972.6336
pamela8@uakron.edu
Michelle Ellis
Senior Associate Director of Student Financial Aid
330.972.5860
mellis@uakron.edu
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