The law school offers numerous scholarships to our admitted students. These scholarships represent a three-year commitment by the School of Law, with awards guaranteed for second- and third-year students as long as recipients remain in good academic standing. Each student is eligible to receive only one scholarship from the law school. Unless otherwise noted, in order to receive priority for the awards listed here, you must apply for admission to the law school no later than February 1, 2008, and submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. Please note that the Public Interest Law Scholarship requires a separate application.

In addition to the information provided below, please visit the Links page for information on outside scholarships and writing competitions.

• Dean's Scholarships

  To recognize those students with outstanding academic achievement, the School of Law offers $8,500 Dean's Scholarships. These merit awards are granted to on-time, admitted applicants with an LSAT score of 161 or higher and a GPA of 3.45 or higher. We also offer Dean's Scholarships to applicants who do not meet the numeric criteria above but whom we believe will make a significant contribution to the law school community. These decisions are made through a committee process and take into consideration factors such as leadership skills, years of work experience and overcoming adversity.

• Public Interest Law Scholarships

  As one of the nation's leading public interest law schools, we are committed to developing a community of intelligent, thoughtful and inspired lawyers. To this end, the law school and its graduates developed the Public Interest Law Scholars (PILS) program in 1999. Our most generous award program, this 75 percent tuition scholarship is granted to several admitted applicants each year. Prospective students interested in this scholarship must complete the PILS application by January 2, 2008, and apply early to the law school.

• Social Justice Scholarships

  Those applicants who have demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice and a solid academic background are eligible for Social Justice Scholarships, which include both a $5,000 to $8,500 award and one $3,000 co-op stipend to be used for a public interest co-op. Weight is given to years of work experience in fields that promote social justice and/or significant volunteer work in those areas. There are no strict numeric criteria for this scholarship; funds are awarded based on the quality and experience of the applicant pool.

• Peace Corps and Teach For America Scholarships

  The goals of the Peace Corps and Teach For America are a natural match with the mission of the School of Law. Many alumni/ae from these organizations wish to pursue a law degree to advance social justice and make a difference in society. In order to support their continued efforts, the law school has developed two targeted scholarship programs to help offset the cost of pursuing a legal education. The Peace Corps and Teach For America scholarships range from $5,000 to $8,500 and are guaranteed to all applicants who have served their full commitment to either program and have been admitted to the law school. (The law school also waives the application fee for those applicants involved with these programs.)

• Designated Law Scholarships (need-based scholarships)

  Designated Law Scholarships (DLS) are awarded to first-year students based on need. Recipients of this institutionally funded program are not required to repay this award. The Office of Financial Aid determines all DLS award decisions. To be eligible, you must be an admitted student and file your FAFSA by the February 15 deadline.

• Endowed Scholarships (upper-level students only)

  A variety of modest need-based scholarships are awarded annually to upper-level students; some of these scholarships have very specific eligibility criteria. The application process for these named scholarships is separate and distinct from the application for financial aid. More information on the Endowed Scholarship application process is available.

  
  

• Co-op Stipends

  In recent years, the School of Law has annually awarded $500,000 to approximately 220 students completing public interest co-ops. Support comes from the school's Fund for the Public Interest and other stipend programs. Stipends have allowed co-op students to represent immigrants seeking political asylum, tenants fighting to prevent eviction, women seeking shelter from domestic violence, children trying to obtain educational services, mothers seeking child support payments, inmates challenging overcrowded prison conditions and more.

• Student Employment

  While the American Bar Association recommends that first-year law students not work due to the intensity of beginning and focusing on legal studies, there are ample opportunities for upper-level students to work. The law school funds approximately $500,000 in work opportunities for our students. Funding may come in through financial aid in the form of federal Work-Study, allowing students to work in a variety of law school offices, with faculty, or in other areas on the main university campus. In addition, each year upper-level students are offered the opportunity to apply for paid positions as lawyering fellows for the first-year class or with faculty on research projects.

• CISP

  The Cooperative Income Sharing Program (CISP) is a student-run and student-managed organization dedicated to increasing awareness of, and student participation in, public service. Such work can take the form of public interest co-ops, public service careers or pro bono activities at private law firms. CISP provides approximately $24,000 annually to students accepting unfunded co-ops with public interest employers.

• Loan Deferral and Forgiveness (post-graduate assistance)

  A component of the law school's Fund for the Public Interest, the Loan Deferral and Forgiveness Program (LD/F) provides loan relief assistance to graduates pursuing careers with public interest law organizations. The program has provided more than $2.4 million to 348 graduates since its inception in 1990, with a portion of an eligible graduate's debt initially deferred and ultimately forgiven if the recipient continues working in a public interest field for three to five years. While the majority of LD/F recipients perform public interest work in Massachusetts, the program has supported graduates working in 24 states and the District of Columbia; over half the funding has supported graduates working with indigent clients.

  
  

• Federal Stafford Loan: Under this program, a law student may borrow as much as $20,500 per academic year to a maximum indebtedness of $138,500 over the student's entire educational career. There are two types of Federal Stafford Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized.
  
  

  Subsidized: The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is a need-based loan program. As of July 1, 2006, the interest rate was fixed at 6.8%. In order to be eligible for this type of loan applicants must file the requisite financial aid applications and demonstrate financial need. If the applicant qualifies for this loan, the federal government will pay the interest while the student is attending school (at least half-time) and for six months after graduation or withdrawal. The maximum annual amount under this program is $8,500. The repayment period is for 10 years.
  
  Unsubsidized: The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a non need-based loan program. The interest rate on this loan is variable and not to exceed 8.25%. As of July 1, 2006, the interest rate was fixed at 6.8%. In order to apply for this loan you must file the requisite financial aid applications. Interest on this loan will be charged from the time that the loan is disbursed until the loan is repaid in full. Interest payments may be made while the student is in school or may be capitalized onto the principal balance. The maximum annual amount under this program is $20,500 LESS any amount that the student is eligible under the Subsidized portion of the program. The repayment period is for 10 years.

  A student's Stafford Loan eligibility will appear on the Offer of Financial Aid. Our office will automatically certify the maximum eligibility unless we are told otherwise. Two additional steps must be completed to obtain the Stafford Loans.

  Entrance Interview: As a first-time borrower under the Federal Stafford Loan program (while at Northeastern), all students must complete an "Entrance Interview". This can be accomplished on-line directly through the MYNEU.
  
  Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN): All first-time borrowers of the loan (while in attendance at NU) must complete the MPN. Students can sign their MPN online through the direct lending website.

• Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan for students with exceptional financial need. Northeastern serves as the lender, and the loan is made with government funds. The loan is repaid to Northeastern. No interest or fees are charged, and no repayment is required while a student is enrolled at least half-time (six credits per term) or during the nine-month grace period following graduation or withdrawal from school. Students wishing to be considered for the Federal Perkins Loan must complete the financial aid application by the priority filing dates. Due to limited funding, not all students who qualify for the program will be awarded funds.  Perkins loan Master Promissory Notes will be mailed out to students over the summer.
  

• Federal Graduate PLUS Loan: Beginning July 1, 2006, PLUS loans were made available for law students. To be eligible for this loan you must file a FAFSA and be eligible for federal aid. Students can borrow the PLUS loan to supplement the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans that are currently available.

  The Federal Graduate PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 7.9% with a 2.5% fee. A basic credit check is performed. Repayment can be 10-25 years based on the amount borrowed. Students have the ability to consolidate PLUS loans with other Federal Loans. In-school deferment is available through graduation. Students will need to download the PLUS loan credit authorization form and fax it to the Student Financial Services Office (617-373-8735), then the student will need to sign the PLUS loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).

• Students who will be pursuing Public Interest Careers should strongly consider using the Federal PLUS loan as their supplemental loan, as it is eligible for the federal loan forgiveness benefits if certain criteria are met after graduation.

• Supplemental Loans:  If a student wishes to take out a supplemental loan other than the PLUS loan, you should contact the financial aid office after you have applied for the loan, so they can certify the loan.