Financial Aid Guide
Process
STEP 1: BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- Try to pay off all credit card debt and all loans before the start of law school.
- Research financial aid opportunities available through the law school and external sources.
- Pay attention to deadlines.
- Stay in touch with the admission and financial aid counselors at the University of Dayton School of Law.
STEP 2: FREE CREDIT REPORT
- Order your free annual credit report for review at annualcreditreport.com – some loans are credit-dependent.
- Only annualcreditreport.com is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under the law; beware of impostor credit reporting sites!
STEP 3: COMPLETE THE FAFSA
- Complete the 2025-2026 academic year FAFSA (for fall and spring eligibility).
STEP 4: AWAIT YOUR STUDENT AWARD NOTICE
- If admitted, receive instructions for obtaining your University ID and password to access Porches, the University of Dayton’s self-serve intranet.
- Receive email notification that 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 and Federal Graduate PLUS Loan eligibility.
- If you wish to accept your Federal Direct loan offering, you may accept it on Porches. You will get an email when its time to do the Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note. The Graduate PLUS loan eligibility will show the maximum we can certify for this loan; you must apply for the Graduate PLUS loan at studentaid.gov and be credit approved.
STEP 5: APPLY FOR A FEDERAL GRADUATE PLUS LOAN (IF NEEDED)
- Apply for the amount you need, up to the maximum alternative loan eligibility listed on your award notice.
- We recommend the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan; the application is available at studentaid.gov. If you prefer an alternative student loan through a private lender, 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 full $20,500 in Federal Direct Loans for each academic year (two semesters).
types of loans
- Federal Direct Loan
Maximum award per academic year: $20,500 (depending on borrowing history for the current academic year). Lifetime aggregate limit for Federal Direct Loan is $138,500 (including undergraduate loans). - Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
Maximum award up to the total student budget amount, minus other awarded aid. - Private Alternative Loan
Maximum award up to the total student budget amount, minus other awarded aid.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON BORROWING
- Borrow the Federal Direct Loan first.
- If additional resources are needed, consider the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan.
- If you choose not to apply for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan, other private alternative loan choices are available.
- For more information on the loan options: udayton.edu/affordability/law/types-of-aid/index.php.
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.
FEDERAL GRADUATE PLUS LOAN OR PRIVATE ALTERNATIVE LOAN
- Must be enrolled at least half-time at an ABA- approved law school (Grad PLUS).
- Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
- Must pass satisfactory credit requirements.
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.
For detailed information about scholarships: udayton.edu/ law/admissions/financial_aid/ scholarships_and_grants.php.
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. Hybrid online students are allowed to work for the duration of the program.
MILITARY and 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.
937-229-3555
lawinfo@udayton.edu