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Financial Aid

Albany Law School appreciates the significant financial commitment students make. We work with all students to develop a fiscal strategy to realize their goals.

You are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as you apply to ensure that your aid is processed in time to appear on your first tuition bill. For JD students: Accepted applicants with a completed FAFSA on file will receive a letter of estimated eligibility. 

As a graduate student, you are automatically considered "independent" for financial aid purposes. That means parental income and assets are not counted in determining your financial aid eligibility. 

Financial Aid Office personnel will determine your eligibility for funds up to the total Cost Of Attendance (COA).

Once your deposit is paid, an e-mail will be sent with instructions on how to review and accept/reject your awards on Self-Service via the portal.

Contact

Andrea Wedler
Director of Financial Aid
awedl@albanylaw.edu

For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • File your FAFSA electronically
  • Albany Law School's Title IV Code is: G02886
  • You will need to create or use your FSA login.
  • The FAFSA for the upcoming academic year is now available as early as October 1 of the prior year

Go to www.studentaid.gov to complete the following steps (you will need your FSA login again)

  • Complete the mandatory Loan Entrance Counseling (be sure to indicate that you are a graduate student)
  • Complete the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN)
  • Complete the Grad PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN)

No loans will be disbursed to your account until all of these steps have been successfully completed. You do NOT need to wait for the offer letter to complete these items.

Federal Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan Program

  • Annual maximum is $20,500.
  • Aggregate maximum is $138,500, including undergraduate debt.
  • Interest rate for 2023-24 is fixed at 7.05%. New rates are set each academic year.
  • Six-month grace period.
  • Interest may be paid quarterly or capitalized (added to the principal).
  • Currently has an origination fee of 1.057% (subject to change in the future).

Federal Grad PLUS Loan Program

  • Maximum eligibility is equal to the Cost of Attendance less other aid.
  • Approval is based on satisfactory credit review.
  • Interest rate for 2023-2024 is fixed at 8.05%. New rates are set each academic year.
  • Currently has an origination fee of 4.228% (subject to change in the future).

Private Loans

For students studying less than half-time or who would prefer a private loan over federal loans, there are many lenders offering private education loans.  You are free to choose whichever lender you wish.  We have a small lender list, built on prior student selections at www.elmselect.com.

*Please note, private loans can not be taken in addition to federal loans if you have already maxed out your aid.  Private loans also have to fit within the cost of attendance. 

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a valuable resource, not only because it can help to offset student loan debt, but also because it can provide you with income while you gain experience and enhance your résumé. Positions are available both on and off-campus with various agencies that have contracts with the school. Please visit AlbanyLaw Link for job listings. New students are provided access to job postings after your first meeting with your assigned Career Counselor. Also, positions are communicated through the weekly Jobs & Ops email that is sent out by the Career and Professional Development Center.

FWS students are paid hourly in bi-weekly paychecks. Second- and third-year students can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. First-year students can work up to 10 hours per week while school is in session, however, we strongly recommend adjusting to the academic rigor of law school during your first semester. Consider commencing a work-study job during your second semester of 1L year. Students can work up to 40 hours per week during summer and breaks. Prior to working, students must complete a work-study packet and get approval from the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Policies

Awards are contingent on Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students may receive financial aid from several different programs or sources.  Total aid through all programs (including private loans) cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance as determined by the Financial Aid Office. The total received through “need-based” programs such as the Federal Work Study Program, State grants/scholarships, Albany Law School prize/scholarship programs and other scholarship/grant programs, may not exceed the Cost of Attendance less the Expected Family Contribution as determined by the results of your FAFSA.

The total amount of an Albany Law School prize, scholarship, grant, and/or tuition waiver or benefit must not exceed the cost of tuition at Albany Law School minus a New York State Veterans Tuition Award.

All aid from non-Albany Law School sources and any change in a student's enrollment must be reported immediately to the Financial Aid Office.  A student's aid package may be recalculated based on such changes.

All information provided to Albany Law School, federal or state programs, and lenders must be accurate and truthful. Information that is not accurate or truthful may result in a student's financial aid award becoming void if and when incorrect information is revealed. Intentionally false statements or misrepresentation on any of the student's financial aid application materials may subject the filer to criminal penalties.

Federal financial aid is not automatically renewed. Annual applications are required.

Each student is responsible for reviewing and understanding the information and policies in the Financial Aid Award brochure and the Student Handbook.

All awards are subject to state, federal, and institutional funding, as well as program regulations and policies relative to the respective programs.

Federal Stafford Loan, Grad PLUS Loan, and/or private loan funds may be received electronically by the Business Office, who will post the funds to your tuition account. Any aid in excess of tuition and fees will be refunded to you.

You have the option to cancel or reduce a loan before or after the time the funds are disbursed. Instructions are provided in the written notification that funds have been credited to your account.

To protect your privacy, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) has set guidelines pertaining to the disclosure of information from records maintained by the school. Albany Law School's policy on disclosure of student information can be found in the Student Handbook.

Availability of Financial Counseling

In addition to having access to the Financial Aid Office for individual loan counseling, we also offer the free resources below:

  • AccessConnex by AccessLexSM gives you free access to a team of Accredited Financial Counselors, who can answer your financial questions about borrowing strategies, loan terms, repayment options, credit, and more. Through our partnership with AccessLex Institute, you can schedule free and unlimited calls with one of their counselors at a time that works for you!
  • Scholarship Databank helps students maximize the affordability of a law degree and assists them in making wise financial decisions, by making it easier for students to find money to help pay for law school and lower their student loan burdens by providing a list of vetted scholarships.
  • MAX by AccessLex® is the free personal finance program designed exclusively for law students. Learn top financial strategies with in-person MAX by AccessLex® and online learning options, one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors, and over $300,000 in scholarship incentives each year to keep you motivated! From paying for law school to investing for your retirement – and every step in between – let MAX be your guide! MAX video.