Financial Aid and Scholarships
I would like to extend congratulations to you, as you prepare to begin your legal education journey. Welcome to our Carolina Law Family! In case we have not yet had the opportunity to meet, please let me first introduce myself. I am the Director of Financial Aid for the law school, and an Assistant Director in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid for the university. As this is the first time we have had a Financial Aid Administrator dedicated to the law school, I am honored to hold this position. I am very pleased to be able to focus my energy and attention on the needs of law school students and excited about the new opportunities that this will bring for all of us. I am sincerely hoping that I will be able to increase the quality and timeliness of financial aid service that you receive over the next three years.
As I realize that the ability to fund a law school education is often one of the greatest concerns for law students, my goal is to make the financial aid process as transparent as possible for you. I want you to understand how to navigate the financial aid application process, how to manage your loan debt while in school, and be aware of the loan repayment options that exist for you once you have graduated. In general, I am here to answer questions that you may have regarding student loans, grants and/or scholarships, as well as help resolve any financial aid problems that you may encounter during your tenure as a law school student.
I am sincerely looking forward to meeting you when you arrive for Orientation in August. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me directly at 919.962.5919 or lisa.inman@unc.edu. If I am out of the office and you need immediate assistance, please feel free to contact the main Office of Scholarships and Student Aid at 919.962.8396 or aidinfo@unc.edu, and explain that you need assistance during my absence.
I have included some financial aid highlights below. These are based upon some of the questions that I have already received from members of your incoming class. I hope that this will help clarify any confusion you may be experiencing and/or answer any questions that you may have.
We look forward to meeting all of you soon!
Sincerely,
Lisa D. Inman
Director of Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance (COA) Budgets
The COA Budgets are what we use to determine the total dollar amount of aid for which you are eligible. This budget includes tuition and fees, as well as allowances for: books and supplies, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. You may receive financial aid up to your total COA Budget, regardless of your EFC (please see below) . However, adjustments will be required if the total of all of your scholarships, grants, and student loans exceeds that amount.
Expected Family Contributions (EFCs)
The EFC is the number that is calculated when your FAFSA is processed. This number is what we use to determine the source of aid for which you are eligible. You are not required to pay this amount out of pocket, as you do have the option of applying for additional loan money which can replace the EFC.
Demonstrated Financial Need
Your demonstrated financial needis determined simply by deducting your EFC from your COA Budget. The remainder is your financial need. You are not allowed to receive need-based aid (need-based scholarships, tuition grants, and subsidized Staffords) in excess of that amount.
Federal Work-Study
Work-study is not available to 1Ls, as you are expected to cease employment during your first year of law school. You may request work-study as a rising 2L and/or 3L student. However, please understand that the work-study would reduce how much loan money is available to you, and you are limited as to the amount that you may earn each academic year.
Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans and Private Student Loans
If you take your COA Budget and deduct all of your financial aid (UNC and non-UNC),the differenceis the maximum that you may request in a Graduate/Professional PLUS and/or private student loan. This amount is never automatically included in your financial aid award, because it is credit-based. Once you have received credit approval from your chosen lender, and they request school certification, your loan will be added into our system.
Professional Judgment
There are two different ways in which the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid can exercise professional judgment in determining your financial aid:
- If you did not qualify for a university tuition grant or the maximum ($8500) Subsidized Stafford Loan, you may request that we adjust your income as reported on the FAFSA, to reflect your anticipated income for 2009. Although it will not change the total amount of financial aid that you receive, it may potentially change the source(s) of financial aid. You may request this adjustment by submitting a Need Analysis Review Form. Please make sure you read the instructions carefully and submit all required supporting documentation.
- If you have recently purchased a computer and/or health insurance coverage, and would like to borrow student loan money to cover the cost, we may be able to increase your COA Budget. There is no specific form for you to submit. Just submit a written request, with accompanying itemized receipts. The purchase of a computer and peripherals is limited to a maximum of $2500. You are allowed to adjust your COA for a computer one time over the course of your law school career. The health insurance coverage is limited to the portion of your premium that covers you as an individual, and only for the months during the regular academic year.
Student Health Insurance and Campus Health Services at UNC
While your student fees will cover some medical care at Campus Health Services, we strongly recommend that you purchase supplemental health insurance.
ABA 20-hour Work Week Rule
ABA law school accreditation rules prohibit students enrolled in more than 12 class hours in a given semester from working for more than 20 hours per week during that time (see ABA Standard 304(F) and Interpretation 304-7). As an ABA accredited institution, the School of Law's policy is that no student shall be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week in a semester where s/he is enrolled as a full-time student. If you have questions about this rule, please contact Dean Podger Smith in the Office of Student Services.