Financial Aid

The Liberty University Financial Aid Office coordinates and administers the financial aid programs for the university. The Liberty University School of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid works with the University Financial Aid and Student Accounts Office in order to communicate the financial aid program and services offered at Liberty University School of Law to prospective and current law students.

The student is primarily responsible for the cost of higher education. A student who needs financial assistance is expected to contribute a reasonable portion of the funds needed for educational expenses.

Financial assistance is available to eligible students to help meet education-related expenses. The types of financial aid available include grants, loans, scholarships, and employment. Grants and scholarships are “gift aid” and need not be repaid. Loans must be repaid to the lender over an extended period, typically after the student leaves school. Employment offered as a type of financial aid is paid at a pre-determined rate for work actually performed.

Anyone who applies to Liberty University School of Law and is interested in financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and verification, if selected, to ensure maximum institutional, federal, and state financial assistance. The results of the FAFSA analysis will be received electronically by the University Financial Aid Office. The original Student Aid Report will be sent to the applicant.

All applicants for financial aid are required to:

1. Apply for admission to Liberty University School of Law
2. Be degree candidates
3. Complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the United States Department of Education by March 1 of each year in which financial aid is desired

• Applicants are urged to apply early for optimum financial aid benefits.
• Complete the FAFSA on the web.
• Liberty University must be included as an institution to receive a Student Aid Report.
• Liberty University school code is 010392.
• The student should not decline the Federal Work Study (FWS) program on the FAFSA. This does not commit the student to the Federal Work Study (FWS) program.

If the applicant’s FAFSA is selected for verification, the University Financial Aid Office will notify the applicant and provide a Verification Worksheet. The applicant must complete and return the worksheet with the supporting documents to the University Financial Aid Office before verification will be processed. After evaluating the FAFSA analysis, the University Financial Aid Office will send the applicant a Financial Aid Award Package.

Contact the School of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for further information at 434-592-5300 or by email at lawadmissions@liberty.edu.


SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

The Financial Aid Office of Liberty University administers Title IV funds and Liberty University Institutional Aid. This office is required to develop and implement policies by which academic progress is evaluated and monitored. Students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy (PDF) requirements annually to continue to receive Title IV aid and institutional scholarships. The standards against which applicants for and recipients of financial aid are measured include qualitative, quantitative, and maximum time frame measurements. The academic record of each student is reviewed at the end of the spring term of every year. Some scholarships offered to law students may have more stringent standards for continued eligibility.

A student who is placed on financial aid suspension may appeal this decision. To appeal the financial aid suspension, a student must submit to the University's Director of Financial Aid a signed and dated letter of appeal explaining why s/he should not be suspended along with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and any supporting documentation.


GRANTS

The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program
The VTAG is a non-need-based state grant for full-time students who have been Virginia domiciliary residents for at least 12 consecutive months by the beginning of the fall term for the current academic year. A student who is in Virginia solely to attend college is not considered to be a domiciled resident. An applicant must also be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. The VTAG may be awarded for no more than 6 semesters.

Law students applying for the VTAG must submit the VTAG application to the University Financial Aid Office at 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg Virginia, 24502 by the priority-system deadlines on the VTAG application in order to be considered for the maximum award amount for fall and spring terms. They must also complete the FAFSA. VTAG recipients will be notified by award letter. Recipients receiving the award in the previous fiscal year do not have to reapply for the VTAG. 

Please note that recipients of university scholarships must accept all federal and state grants for which they are eligible as a condition of being awarded a scholarship. Therefore scholarship recipients, who have been Virginia domiciliary residents for at least 12 consecutive months by the beginning of the fall term for the current academic year, must apply for and accept the VTAG. Contact the School of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for further information at 434-592-5300 or by email at lawadmissions@liberty.edu.


LOANS

•Federal Subsidized Student Loan:
Subsidized Student Loans are awarded based on financial need; and the federal government pays the interest during school, during the six-month period after leaving school or dropping below half-time, and for authorized deferment periods. Law students enrolled at least half-time may borrow up to $8,500 per year. The University Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility. An applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

•Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan:
Unsubsidized Student Loans are not awarded based on financial need; and students are responsible for interest charges. Interest may be paid by the student or deferred and capitalized. Law students enrolled at least half-time may borrow up to $20,500 per year (less amount of Subsidized Stafford Loan awarded). The University Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility. An applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Applicants applying for Student Loans must complete the FAFSA and will be notified of loan eligibility by award letter sent with the Financial Aid Award Package. Having been notified of eligibility, applicants must then apply for the loans. The first-time borrower at Liberty University must complete the Online Entrance Counseling. Applicants should apply online, completing entrance counseling as a part of the online application. To apply for loans in subsequent years the applicant must accept the loans listed on their award letter. There is no official deadline to apply for Student Loans; however the applicant should apply immediately after receiving the Financial Aid Award Package in order for the lender to notify the Financial Aid office in time for Fall financial check-in. Instructions to complete the Online Entrance Counseling and to apply for Student Loans are included in the Financial Aid Award Package. 


EMPLOYMENT

Law students interested in employment must submit the School of Law Work Request Form to the Director of Student Affairs prior to beginning work. The School of Law must receive, and the Dean must approve, the form each semester in which a position of employment is desired. Forms may be obtained from and submitted to the Director of Student Affairs.

•Employment and Academic Workload Policy
Full-time student status is required for the duration of each and every semester in which the student is enrolled. Liberty University School of Law offers a three-year, full-time program leading to conferral of the degree of Juris Doctor. The expected workload for a full-time law student is at least 60 hours per week. All employment must be approved in writing by the Dean, and in no circumstances may a full-time student work more than 20 hours during any week in which school is in session. 

•Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study provides on-campus employment opportunities in the school of law and other areas on campus. This program provides part-time jobs for students who have financial need as established by the FAFSA. Note that Federal Work Study cannot be included toward payment of the student’s school bill.

Applicants interested in on-campus employment must complete the FAFSA and will be notified of eligibility by award letter sent with the Financial Aid Award Package. Applicants must submit the Federal Work Study Employment Application to the Department of Human Resources at 1971 University Blvd., Lynchburg Virginia, 24502 each year in which a federal work study position is desired. The application is included in the Financial Aid Award Package.

The university will not locate employment opportunities for the applicant. If seeking employment opportunities, the applicant must locate employment positions either on the Department of Human Resources’ website or in the Department of Human Resources’ on-campus office.

•Law Research Assistantships
Law students entering their second or third year may also be considered for law research assistantships. These positions provide financial compensation for valuable work experiences and are normally publicized through the School of Law.


MILITARY

Veterans, members of the armed services, and qualified dependents who desire counseling regarding veteran and/or military benefits should contact Drew Sittig in the University Military Affairs Office for further information at 434-592-3808 or by email at dlsittig@liberty.edu.


ADJUSTMENTS TO FINANCIAL AID

Students who withdraw during a term will be subject to adjustments in their financial assistance. Title IV recipients are subject to the withdrawal policies and procedures of the Federal Student Financial Aid Handbook. The Handbook requires a calculation to determine what amount (if any) of the Title IV Funds must be returned to the appropriate Student Financial Aid Programs.

The adjustments in charges for a student withdrawal are based upon the university’s refund policy and may result in an outstanding balance on the student’s account that will be due and payable at the time of withdrawal.

Contact the School of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for further information at 434-592-5300 or by email at lawadmissions@liberty.edu.