Other Sources of Aid

Dickinson Emergency Loans
Two loan funds made possible by alumni contributors are available to students in dire financial need. The Bernreuter Emergency Loan Fund provides small temporary loans during the academic year to assist students pending disbursement of student loans. The John G. Williams Loan Fund provides need-based, low-interest loans to second- and third-year law students who have exhausted their Federal Stafford Loan eligibility. A Williams loan need not be repaid until after graduation.

Veterans' Benefits
Students eligible for veterans’ educational benefits should contact the Veterans Administration at
1-888-442-4551 for information about eligibility and application procedures. The Director of Financial Aid is the law school’s certifying official on campus to assist veterans.

State Aid Programs
Students who are American citizens or have permanent residency status should contact the agencies in their respective states that administer scholarship and loan programs for additional information regarding their eligibility for other sources of aid.

Aid for International Students
Non-citizen applicants are not eligible for law school financial aid but may be able to borrow funds through private lenders. For more information see this comparison of loan products that have worked well for Dickinson students.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

In order for a student to be eligible for federal student aid, he or she must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The Penn State Dickinson School of Law measures academic progress on an annual basis each summer prior to the next academic year. First-year students are considered to be making progress during their first academic year. All students failing to make progress based on the law school's Academic Standing Rules will be notified by the financial aid office via letter by August 1. Any aid processed for the subsequent year will be canceled.