Need Based Scholarships: Scholarship awards at the Law School are made after evaluating both need and merit. All students who wish to be considered for need-based scholarships must complete the Need Access candidate and parent questionnaire (and if applicable the spouse questionnaire). The Need Access form may be completed at the Need Access Website. Need Access reports received after March 1 will be considered for a need-based scholarship only if funds remain available. 

Determination of Need: Financial need is determined on the basis of data provided by the Need Access Form. Scholarship awards are made after separately evaluating the Need Access data and the candidate application. The Need Access formula assumes that certain levels of income and assets are required to provide for a family's economic needs and that a portion of income above those levels is available to meet educational costs. Factors such as income, home equity, assets, family size, and number of family members in college are used in making this determination.

Federal Stafford Loans: There are two kinds of Federal Stafford Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized. The subsidized loan has no interest while students are in school and during a six-month grace period, while the unsubsidized loan accrues interest during that time. Within an academic year, a student may borrow a combined $20,500 through the Stafford Loan. The maximum subsidized loan is $8,500, while the maximum unsubsidized loan is $20,500 minus the amount of subsidized loans. U.S. Citizens and permanent residents are typically eligible for the full $20,500 in loans.  Students must fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) online to receive Stafford Loans.  The Law School's FAFSA code is  E00377.

Perkins Loan: The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest loan for students enrolled in the Law School who demonstrate financial need. Perkins Loans have no fees and no interest accrues while you are in school. This award is approximately $4,500 per year.

Alternative Loans: Alternative loans are used to cover the difference between the cost of attendance and other forms of financial aid that you have received. Alternative loans are credit-based loans and will not be made to students who have poor credit. Students should check their credit ratings at the credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and Trans Union)  and correct errors in their credit histories. Students with poor credit or international students may be able to borrow an alternative loan with a credit-worthy cosignor. To simplify the repayment process, we encourage you to continue using the same lender if you have previously borrowed an Alternative Loan.

The University of Chicago Alternative Loan: The University of Chicago Alternative Loan Program is the preferred Alternative loan for Chicago students. Approximately 98 percent of Chicago law students who borrow an alternative loan use this option. In order to be eligible for this loan, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, on at least a half time basis in a degree program at the University of Chicago.
• You must be a U.S. citizen/national, or a permanent resident of the United States, or an eligible non-US citizen, or provide a creditworthy cosigner who meets the eligibility requirements.
• You must complete an Application and Promissory Note. 

Additional Alternative Loan Programs: For information on additional alternative loan programs, please contact one or more of the following:

• Access Group Law Access Loan 800-282-1550
• Citibank CitiAssist Loan 800-745-5473
• KeyBank LawAchiever Loan 800-539-5363

For additional information regarding financial aid, please visit the Student Loan Administration web page at https://sla.uchicago.edu/.