Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships
Upon acceptance for admission, all students are considered for Merit Scholarships. These awards may range in amount up to full tuition. Merit Scholarships may be renewable in the second and third years based on academic performance.

As a prospective law student, you may wish to pursue scholarships from outside sources. We are happy to provide you with information on outside scholarship opportunities.

Information about scholarships for current law school students is also available online. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Need-Based Grants
Through the generosity of alumni and other donors, need-based grant money is available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. We recognize the importance of need-based grants for all students, but especially for first-year students who are expected to devote more time and energy to academic efforts and are discouraged from working. The amount of individual need-based grants for returning second- and third-year students tends to be slightly lower. The expectation is that after completing the first year of study, students will find part-time and summer employment more easily. Please note that all students awarded need-based grants will be expected to borrow the maximum Federal Stafford Loan.

In order to be considered for financial aid awards, all students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form can be completed online after January 1. In addition, applicants who wish to be considered for need-based grants must submit the Need Access Application.

Although the federal government considers all graduate and professional students to be independent, students who wish to be considered for need-based grants must report parent information on the Need Access Application. Your parents are a potential resource to you, even if their assistance is in the form of a loan. A parent contribution is factored into all need-based grant aid evaluations if the analysis indicates that your parents have the ability to contribute. This policy applies to all applicants who are fewer than thirty years old and who are not supporting a dependent other than a spouse.

For full consideration, incoming first-year students applying for need-based grant assistance must submit their FAFSA and their Need Access Application by March 1, whether or not they have been notified of a decision on their admission application by that date. Applications submitted after March 1 are considered only as funds are available.

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.