FINANCIAL
AID PROGRAMS The University of Houston begins awarding in late April
for the fall and spring semesters to accepted students
with a complete financial aid file. Summer financial aid
is processed separately.
SCHOLARSHIPS
AND GRANTS Texas Public Educational Grant:
All law students applying for financial aid are considered
for this program (need based). It is awarded on
a first come basis to students with the highest need.
Maximum award varies each year for both Texas residents
and non-residents. Law Tuition Grant:
Law students applying for financial aid are considered
for this program (need based). It is also awarded
on a first come basis to students with need. Awards
vary each year. Graduate Tuition Grant:
Law students applying for financial aid are considered
for this program (need based). It is also awarded
on a first come basis to students with need. Awards
vary each year.
Dean's Scholarship:
Each law student is considered for a scholarship upon
acceptance to the UHLC. The amounts awarded will
vary. These scholarships are generally renewable,
based on academic performance.
The Office of Admissions offers a number of Dean's
Scholarships to each entering class. These merit
scholarships vary in number and amount and are renewable
for the following two years for full-time students (or
three years for part-time students), provided that requisite
grades are maintained. Each accepted applicant
is automatically considered for a Dean's Scholarship
and no separate application is required. If you
are an out of state resident and receive a Dean's Scholarship,
you will receive an in-state tuition waiver.
Outside Scholarships:
Applicants are encouraged to search for outside scholarships.
Some suggestions are www.fastweb.com,
www.aie.org
individual organizations, sororities or fraternities,
social clubs, religious or business organizations, employers
of a parent, spouse or friend, foundations, town or city
clubs, community organizations and civic groups such as
the American Legion, YMCA, 4H Club, Elks, Kiwanis, Jaycees
or girl & boy scouts. Any organization connected with
your field of interest.
**Scholarship
and grant criteria are subject to change.
STUDENT LOANS
Federal Perkins Loan:
Awarded on a first come basis to students with the highest
need. Amounts awarded vary each year. Students
are borrowing money from the University, agreeing to 5%
interest with a nine-month grace period after graduation
or if the student drops below half time (6 hours).
Federal Stafford
Loan:
All eligible law students applying for financial aid are
considered for this program. Students must be a U.S. citizen,
can not have any student loan(s) in default and are registered
with selective services, if required. Subsidized Stafford
(need based) limit is $8,500 per year. Beginning
fall 2007, unsubsidized Stafford (non-need based) limit
is $12,000 per year ($20,500 is the total amount of eligibility,
including any subsidized Stafford) but not to exceed COE,
whichever is less. Interest on Stafford loans have
a fixed interest rate of 6.8% with up to a 4% origination
fee that the lender/guarantor may charge. Both have
a six-month grace period. Interest on an unsubsidized
Stafford loan is the responsibility of the student.
It may be capitalized or paid periodically. All Stafford
loans come in two disbursements during a loan period.
Grad Plus Loan:
This is also a federal loan program. Available
to all financial aid eligible law students with a COE
that exceeds the student's award. Grad Plus loans are
credit based and a creditworthy cosigner may
be required in some instance. These loans also come in
two equal disbursements. Each lender will offer a slightly
different repayment option, so consider your options carefully.
Here are a few facts about the Grad PLUS Loan:
Fixed 8.5% interest rate for the life of the loan
• 3% origination fee for processing
• No loan limits - borrow up to the full cost of
education annually minus any other financial aid received
• Minimal credit requirements - approval is not
based on income, financial need or a debt-to-income ratio
• No payments required while in school
• No grace period; student will go into repayment
once they drop below ½ time (6 hours) or upon graduation
• Deferment and forbearance options are available
during periods of financial difficulty or bar study
• Flexible repayment options including Level, Extended,
Graduated and Income Sensitive plans
Alternative/Private
Loan:
Available to students with a COE that exceeds the student's
award. Private loans are credit based and a creditworthy
cosigner may be required. Private loans may have
different fees at disbursement and at repayment.
Each lender will offer a slightly different program and
usually several repayment options, so consider your options
carefully.
Bar
Loan: Available to law students who are in their final
year of study and need resources to finance expenses associated with studying
for the Bar examination. Processing fees may be deducted at disbursement and
a supplemental guarantee fee may be charged at repayment. Disbursement(s) is
(are) made
payable to the graduate at their requested mailing address.
Law Center Emergency Loan:
Available for short-term financial problems students
may have. Maximum amount is $300. No interest
is due, but must be repaid in 30 days. Applications
are available at the Law Center Student Services reception
desk.
**Loan amounts,
interest rates, processing fees and grace periods are all subject to change.
You should review the terms and conditions of each promissory note.
VETERAN'S AFFAIRS and HAZELWOOD ACT
The Hazelwood
Act Tuition Exemption is available for Texas Veterans and eligible dependents.
Qualified individuals will be exempt from the payment of tuition and most fees.
The eligibility requirements are:
- Citizen of Texas at the time the individual entered
the armed services.
- Resided in Texas for 12 months prior to registration.
- Veterans must have served on active duty for more
than 180 days, excluding training.
- Have an honorable discharge.
- Children of veterans killed in action are eligible
if the child was a citizen of Texas and has resided
in the state at least 12 months immediately proceeding
the date of registration.
Applicants must complete a Hazelwood
application and return it along with a copy of the
applicants DD214 and a letter from the Veterans Administration
stating the applicants educational benefits. Contact the
VA office at 1-888-GI BILL (888- 442-4551) for the educational
benefit letter.
AWARD NOTIFICATION
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will begin
to send award notices to on-time financial aid applicants
beginning in late April. Late applicants will receive
their award notices as their financial aid file is completed.
The award notification must be returned within 30 days
and follow the instruction on the award notice and complete
the Loans by Web process or the award can be canceled.
University of Houston Law Center
Financial Aid Office
100 Law Center
Houston, Texas 77204-6060
(713) 743-2269
lawfinaid@uh.edu
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