Admissions

Financial Aid Information

What is Financial aid

Financial aid includes all resources, other than those of students and families, which are used to finance a legal education. At the College of Law, these resources consist of scholarships, tuition waivers, and federal as well as private educational loans. Scholarships and tuition waivers are administered within the College of Law.

Applying for Federal Financial aid

To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), online on the FAFSA web site. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available on line in January of each year. The FAFSA application must be completed each year to receive aid for the Fall start of each academic year. Using information provided on the FAFSA application, the processing center will send the results directly to the Financial Aid Office via electronic data exchange. To facilitate this exchange, students must identify the Georgia State University school code (001574) on the FAFSA application form. Note: You do not have to wait until you are accepted into the University before you apply for financial aid.

Law students who meet federal eligibility requirements are able to borrow under one or more of the loan programs described below. Eligible students are: U.S. citizen or permanent resident; registered with Selective Service, if required; enrolled at least ½ time in a degree-granting Program and not in default on previous student loans.

Priority Processing Deadline

Students should have a completed financial aid file on or before April 1 of each year. To ensure your FAFSA application is in our office before April 1, you should complete the application six to eight weeks in advance.

Types of Financial Aid available to Law students.

Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan Program - Students may borrow up to $8,500 each academic year. The aggregate maximum on this loan is $65,500. This loan is based on financial need. Additional information can be obtained at the Federal Student Aid web site.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan Program - Students may borrow up to $20,500 each academic year, with a cumulative maximum of $138,000. This loan is not based on need therefore the interest on this loan accrues while students are in school. Additional information can be obtained at the Federal Student Aid web site.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan (this loan is credit based) - Ford Federal Direct Grad PLUS (Grad PLUS) is a loan from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) which provides additional funds for educational expenses not met by other types of aid; this loan enables a graduate/professional student to borrow up to the cost of education minus other aid. The loan is credit based and the Free Application for Federal Student aid must be on file. The interest rate on this loan is 7.9%. Additional information can be obtained at the Federal Student Aid web site. The application for GSU students can be found on GoSolar under the Financial aid Menu.

Private Loans (these loans are credit based) - Also known as Alternative or Commercial Loans, help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount the government allows you to borrow. Private loans are offered by many lending institutions, terms and conditions can vary significantly from one institution to another. Note: If receiving aid through any of these programs, keep in mind the amount approved cannot exceed the total cost of education, less student contribution and financial aid. For more detailed information on all of the above types of financial aid programs and eligibility requirements for Law students please refer to the Financial Aid Office web site.

GSU Scholarships and Tuition waivers

These are administered within the GSU College of Law

Outside scholarships

FastWeb.com is a good source for external scholarship information

Guest/visiting students

These students should contact the Home institution regarding financial aid.

What Happens Next

  • Once the school receives your processed FAFSA application the award processing will begin.
  • Check your Georgia State University e-mail for important messages.
  • Determine if there are requirements you must resolve before you can be awarded. Check your GoSOLAR account to view what document(s) may be required for file review.
  • Submit all required documents to Financial Aid no later than 10 business days from the initial date of request (i.e. student signed federal tax returns, selective service, etc.).
  • Once your financial aid has been awarded you will need to “accept” or “decline” aid that is in an “offered” status. Please visit GoSolar and locate the Financial Aid Menu. Scroll down to Award Information Menu and click Accept award offer by aid year.
  • If a student loan is “offered’’ you will need to do the following:
    • Accept or decline the loan.
    • Complete the required loan entrance counseling if you accept the loan (One time requirement for first loan at Georgia State) http://www.dlssonline.com
    • Complete the loan promissory note if you accept the loan (one time requirement for first time borrower at Georgia State). http://dlenote.ed.gov
  • Based on your awarded financial aid determine whether or not your aid covers your charges. If aid does not cover the total amount due, you are responsible to pay the balance by the dates that have been established by the University.
  • Become aware of all Georgia State University deadlines.
  • Visit the University Financial Aid web site for additional information at www.gsu.edu/financialaid