The University of Montana School of Law

Financial Aid - FAFSA Information

The University of Montana Financial Aid Office provides the most substantial financial assistance in the form of certification for Stafford Student Loans, Perkins Loans, authorization for work-study employment, and loans through national loan programs for legal education. Following are the steps to follow in order to apply for all types of financial aid:

1. File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA forms completed by March 1 enhance the probability of financial aid being ready when school starts.
2. Four to six weeks after the FAFSA is filed, a Student Aid Report (SAR) is received. The SAR serves as a confirmation of information data entered from the FAFSA. Review the SAR for any missing data and retain it for your files. Corrections should be entered on the SAR and returned to the processor.
3. All aid applicants must provide financial aid transcripts to the Financial Aid Office from each post-secondary school attended, whether or not financial aid was received from those schools.
4. Financial aid applicants may be required to provide verification of financial status by submitting copies of income tax forms and a verification worksheet.
5. Only applicants actually admitted (have paid an acceptance deposit) to the Law School will be processed by the Financial Aid Office. Financial aid awarding usually occurs during midsummer.
6. Financial aid eligibility is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (as determined from filing the FAFSA), scholarships, and other educational assistance from private or public agencies from the Cost of Education.

Packages of need-based aid will usually include a combination of grants, loans and possibly work study (for second- and third-year law students only). A student using the FAFSA automatically applies for all possibilities with one application.

The Financial Aid Office provides information regarding loan sources with the award package. These loan sources include information regarding Law Access and Law Loans, which are traditional sources of loans for law students.

Students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average to remain eligible for financial aid. If a student's GPA falls below 2.0, the Financial Aid Office will issue a warning letter informing them they are on "financial aid warning" for one semester. During the warning semester the student needs to pass 12 credits with a 2.0 for the semester or they are excluded from further financial aid. The student remains on financial aid warning until the cumulative GPA becomes a 2.0 or higher. Appeal processes do exist for financial aid exclusion.

The School of Law provides scholarships to selected first-, second- and third-year students. However, with the exception of the Erasmus Scholarship, application for School of Law scholarships is made by virtue of the application for admission.

If your FAFSA form is processed before February 15, you may be eligible for $2,000 in Perkins loans.

Fee Waivers
The Montana Board of Regents has authorized the waiver of registration and tuition for certain categories of students. You must apply to the Financial Aid Office in writing each year for any of the fee waivers listed below. You must make your request prior to the start of the semester in which you expect the waiver. Meeting admission guidelines and maintaining minimum academic standards are necessary to receive fee waivers. Other requirements and limitations may apply. Contact the Financial Aid Office for application forms or more information.

Montana Honorable Discharged Veteran

American Indian Student Tuition Waiver

Senior Citizen Fee Waiver

Surviving Spouse or Child of a Montana Firefighter or Peace Officer

War Orphan