J.D. Financial Aid Guide : University of Dayton, Ohio

Process

Step 1: Before You Begin

Try to pay off all credit card debt before the start of law school. Make sure you are current on any outstanding loan payments.
Research financial aid opportunities available through the law school and external sources.
Order your free annual credit report for review at annualcreditreport.com. Some loans are credit-dependent. Only annualcreditreport.com is endorsed by the FTC to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under the law; beware of impostor credit reporting sites!

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the 2026-2027 academic year FAFSA.
Pay attention to deadlines.

Step 3: Await Your Student Award Notice

If admitted, receive instructions via email for obtaining your University ID and password to access Porches, the University of Dayton’s self-serve intranet.
Receive email notification when your award information is posted under the financial aid tab in Porches, indicating any scholarships received from the School of Law, as well as Federal Direct Loan offerings.
If you wish to accept your Federal Direct loan offering, you may accept it on Porches. You will get an email when it's time to do the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note.
Stay in touch with the admission and financial aid counselors at the University of Dayton School of Law.

Step 4: Apply for a private loan (if needed)

Apply for the amount you need, up to the maximum alternative loan eligibility listed on your award notice.
We keep a five year history of alternative student loans that our students have borrowed through a private lender on our website. Visit choice.fastproducts.org/FastChoice/home/312700.
After your loan is credit-approved and certified, we will notify you via email.

Loan Amounts

Most students who complete a FAFSA and meet the eligibility requirements will be entitled to the Federal Direct Loan for each academic year.

Types of Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Maximum loan amount per academic year:
- $50,000 for J.D. students but is limited to the Cost of Attendance minus all other financial aid received. Lifetime loan aggregate limit for the J.D. program is $200,000 (does not include amounts borrowed as undergraduate).
- $20,500 for full-time enrolled graduate students in the LLM or MSL programs but is limited to the Cost of Attendance minus all other financial aid received. Lifetime loan aggregate limit for Federal Direct Loan is $100,000 (does not include amounts borrowed as undergraduate).
  - Students enrolled in this program on a less than full-time basis will have eligibility adjusted downward.
- $257,500 lifetime borrowing limit on all federal student loans.
Private Alternative Loan

Maximum award up to the total cost of attendance minus other awarded aid.

Recommendations on Borrowing

Borrow the Federal Direct Loan first.
If additional resources are needed, consider private alternative loans.

Loan Eligibility

Federal Direct Loan | Studentaid.gov

Must be enrolled at least half-time at an ABA-approved law school.
Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
Must not be in default on any federal education loan or owe a refund on an education grant.

Private Alternative Loan

Must pass satisfactory credit requirements.
Other eligibility requirements will vary by lender.

Scholarships

Entering Students

No separate scholarship application is required
Scholarships are awarded to the majority of the entering class.

The University of Dayton School of Law provides significant scholarship support to our students. Scholarship renewal and eligibility are reviewed each academic year at the end of the Spring semester. Your acceptance and scholarship letter includes specific award parameters.

Detailed information about scholarships

Additional Topics

External Resources

Research other scholarships at accesslex.org, finaid.org, fastweb.com, scholarships.com and many others.

Part-time Employment

In an effort to encourage incoming students to devote their full attention to the rigors of law school, our faculty prohibits employment for our full-time students during the first two semesters, except during holiday and summer breaks. After the first two semesters, students may pursue part-time employment up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. Online hybrid students are allowed to work for the duration of the program.

Military & Veteran Benefits

Visit University of Dayton Military and Veteran Programs and Services to explore these opportunities. The University of Dayton is proud to be a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Questions?

Our admission and financial aid counseling staff is available to answer any questions you may have about financial aid programs and applications procedures. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance at lawinfo@udayton.edu.