Law Students Applying for Financial Assistance

Evaluating one's current and long-term financial objectives is an essential part of the admission process. St. Mary's strongly encourages applicants to assess their borrowing needs and to learn about the types of loans and scholarships available to them.

Understanding one's rights and responsibilities as a borrower and one's ability to manage the expenses involved in attending law school is critical.

Although it is the applicant's responsibility to gather this information, St. Mary's can help students to become educated consumers. The best time to begin to gather financial information is now.

The Financial Aid Process

The Law School's Office of Financial Assistance awards financial aid on the basis of demonstrated need. In order to be considered for financial assistance, an applicant must:

• Be accepted for admission
• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien.

NOTE: It generally takes two weeks from the filing date of the FAFSA for the Law School to receive the FAFSA report. To ensure that all required forms arrive at St. Mary's by the deadline of March 31. Applicants should complete the FAFSA form no later than February 15th. Applications received after March 31st will be processed. When filing the FAFSA form, it is important to designate St. Mary's University as a recipient of the information. (St. Mary's Title IV Code is 003623.)

Applicants are advised to initiate the financial assistance process by filing the FAFSA as early as possible. Applicants should not wait for notification of admission to St. Mary's University School of Law to begin the financial assistance process.

Students are encouraged to apply for all the financial assistance that is available to them, since American Bar Association rules prohibit law students from working more than 20 hours per week in outside employment.

Contact Us

Law School Office of Financial Assistance
St. Mary's University
(210) 431-6743
lawfinaid@stmarytx.edu

Satisfactory Academic Requirements

That's how you reach a goal. We know you're working hard toward an important milestone - a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law. And we want to help you achieve this goal.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, requires that institutions of higher education establish and monitor the academic progress of students who receive federal financial aid. Our institution has established the following minimum standard and practices for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), allowing students to continue receiving financial aid. At the end of each semester, the Office of Financial Assistance reviews each student's progress based on the completion of a Qualitative Standard and a Quantitative Standard which is defined below:

• The Qualitative Standard for SAP requires after the first academic year of attendance at St. Mary's, a graduate student must have a cumulative B (2.0 or better) average or its equivalent or have academic standing at that point in the program that is consistent with the university's requirement for graduation.

• The Quantitative Standard for SAP, also referred as the Pace of Progression, considers the number of credit hours a student successfully completes, in comparison to the number of credit hours attempted. A full-time graduate students at St. Mary's is expected to complete 67 percent of all hours attempted with a minimum 9 hours completed each semester (see chart below). Remember, repeat courses or those a student receives a grade of incomplete (I) will not count against a student's GPA, but will be factored into his/her completion rate.

Law Students	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Hours Required	18	36	54	72	90
Cumulative GPA	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

• In addition to the Qualitative and Quantitative Standards, to be eligible for financial aid, a student must not exceed 150% of the required program hours to graduate from any one degree program. A student who exceeds the maximum hours is ineligible for financial aid. For example, a student enrolled in a program requiring 36 hours to graduate may not attempt more than 54 hours and still receive financial aid.

The university awards federal funds annually to eligible students and at the completion of each semester, the Office of Financial Assistance reviews each student's academic progress according to the following policy. A student meeting ALL the above standards, receives a SAP status of GOOD STANDING GRADUATE and will continue financial aid eligibility.

If a student fails to meet one or more of the above standards, he/she is placed on one of three financial aid SAP statues, as described below and receives a notification from the Office of Financial Assistance.

• SAP Warning: A student not meeting SAP will be designated under a SAP WARNING status for one semester, which means a student is being warned that he/she is not meeting the SAP eligibility and has one semester to meet the eligiblity requirement before being placed on PROBATION GRADUATE. During this semester, a student will continue to receive financial aid. Warning status does not need to be appealed because a student is still eligible to receive financial assistance.



• Probation Graduate: A student placed on financial aid Suspension, has the option of appealing the suspension through the SAP appeal process. If after the review process, an appeal is granted, a student will be placed on PROBATION GRADUATE for the next semster, and a student must bring his/her SAP eligibility to GOOD STANDING GRADUATE status during the semester or be placed on SUSPENSION GRADUATE. While on PROBATION GRADUATE, a student may continue to receive financial assistance as long as a student is otherwise eligible.



• Suspension Graduate: A student with a previous SAP status of SAP WARNING or PROBATION GRADUATE and fails to meet SAP eligibility during the next semester, will be assigned SAP status of SUSPENSION GRADUATE and will NOT be eligible for financial assistance during the next semester he/she attends the university. A student under the SUSPENSION GRADUATE may appeal this decision through the appeal process.


A student placed under the SAP statuses of suspension for not maintaining the required cumulative GPA, pace of progression, or having not met the program completion time period and reaches the maximum number of hours or time frame to complete his/her degree must complete courses at his/her own expense.

If you withdrew or have been out for a semester or more, please reapply for admission to the University.

Repeated Courses

The Department of Education has recently published new regulations which limiting the number of times a student may repeat a course and receieve financial aid for that course. These regulations are part of a series called Program Integrity Rules and are effective July 1, 2011.

• A student may receive financial aid when repeating a course that was previously failed (received a 0.0 or No Pass), regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
• A student may receive financial aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time.
• Once a student has completed any course twice with a passing grade, no longer eligible to receive financial aid for that course.
• If a student retakes a course that is not financial aid eligible, a recalculation of aid is done to exclude the credits for the repeated course.
• This rule applies whether or not the student received financial aid for earlier enrollments in the course.
• Students will receive notification if receiving financial aid and attempt to repeat coursework beyond the limits.

NOTE: Federal regulations specify that students may not receive financial aid for repeating courses previously passed if the student is required to retake those courses as part of a structured program. For example, a student who fails a course in a semester and is required by the college or department to repeat all courses taken in that semester before moving on in the program; would not be eligible to receive financial aid for the passed courses, only for the failed one(s). This may mean that the student would not be eligible for financial aid for the semester, depending upon the number of previously passed courses being repeated.

Types of Assistance

There are various types of aid available to law students. It is common that students pursuing a degree in law will utilize a combination of the following:

Dean's Scholarship

Loans

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Special Scholarship Program in Law for American Indians

The Earl Warren Legal Training Program

Opportunities Relating to the Military

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships are awarded mainly to returning St. Mary's law students who have completed at least their first year of legal studies.

Application information for these scholarships is provided to St. Mary's students after they have enrolled, normally during the Spring semester. A limited portion of these funds is made available to entering law students, but no separate application is necessary for consideration for entering law students.

A range of endowed scholarships are available to assist students with their studies. Many of the funds listed below were created to honor graduates and friends of the School of Law.

• African-American Endowed Scholarship This scholarship fund was established to recruit and aid African-American law students who are academically qualified but financially challenged.



• Joe E. Anderson Scholarship Established in 1994 by friends, colleagues, and former students of Joe Anderson, on the occasion of his retirement after twenty-six years as a full-time Professor of Law at St. Mary's University. Awards are made to academically qualified and financially challenged students.



• J. W. Austin, Sr., and Ellen O. Austin Scholarship Established in 1993 by the estate of Tim O'Connell Austin, in honor of his parents, to provide financial assistance to needy and worthy students.



• Frank W. and Mary Baker Scholarship Established in 1985 by Frank W. Baker ('49) and his wife, Mary, to provide financial assistance to worthy and needy students.



• George W. Brackenridge Foundation Since 1996, the School of Law has received funds annually for a scholarship for selected superior graduates of Bexar County public high schools.



• C.B. and Anita Branch Scholarship Anita Branch established this scholarship to recognize the excellent services provided by her attorney, Jim Drought, a 1969 graduate of the School of Law. The scholarship is awarded to a practicing Catholic who is a second- or third-year student in the top ten percent of the class.



• Hattie Elam Briscoe Scholarship Established in 1993 by friends and colleagues of Ms. Briscoe ('56), the first African-American woman to graduate from St. Mary's University School of Law. Awards are made to attract and retain African-American and other needy and worthy students.



• J. A. "Tony" Canales Scholarship Established in 1993 by Tony Canales ('69) as a part of the Hispanic Initiative Scholarship Project. Awards are made to attract and retain needy and worthy Mexican-American students.



• George and Elizabeth Huth Coates Dean's Scholar In 2002, the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992 established a scholarship for a deserving law student from Hidalgo County with a commitment to return to the county to practice law upon his/her graduation.



• Justice John Cornyn Scholarship Established in 1994 by friends and colleagues of Justice Cornyn, on the occasions of his receipt of the 1994 St. Mary's Distinguished Law Graduate Award. Awards are made to needy and worthy students.



• Cowan Scholarship Established in 1986 by Douglas B. Cowan ('67), John A. Cowan ('74) and Sidney W. Cowan, Jr. ('73). Funds are designated for needy and worthy students.



• Cox & Smith Scholarship Established in 1987 by St. Mary's law graduates and the San Antonio law firm of Cox & Smith Inc., to provide financial assistance to students with superior academic standings.



• James R. Dougherty, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Established in 1982 by Genevieve Dougherty in memory of her husband. Funds are available to worthy and needy Latin American students.



• Judge H.F. "Hippo" Garcia Memorial Scholarship This scholarship was established in 2002 by the estate of U.S. District Judge H.F. "Hippo" Garcia (J.D. '51) (1980 Distinguished Law Graduate), who was deeply admired and respected by all who knew him. Support for this scholarship has been provided by the St. Mary's University Law Alumni Association and the San Antonio Bar Association.



• Jesse Gamez Endowed Scholarship A dual graduate of St. Mary's University, Jesse Gamez endowed this scholarship to assist deserving students from Texas who maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average.



• Gardere & Wynne Outstanding Student Award Established in 1992 by St. Mary's law graduates and the Dallas law firm of Gardere & Wynne to provide financial assistance to students on the basis of academic achievement, leadership qualities and involvement in law school or community activities.



• Shannon Thurmond Giltner Memorial Scholarship Established in 1990 by family and friends, in loving memory of Shannon Thurmond Giltner, who died during her second year at St. Mary's. Awards are made to deserving and hardworking law students who are in financial need. Special consideration is given to students with medical problems or who have been active in mock trials.



• Richard W. Harris Memorial Scholarship Established in 1988 in loving memory of Richard W. Harris by his wife, Marcia. Awards are available to students of municipal corporations law who exemplify the outstanding characteristics of Richard W. Harris.



• Dora Grossenbacher Hauser Scholarship Family and friends of Mrs. Hauser (J.D. '57) established in 2002 a scholarship in her memory for a deserving Texas female law student in the top one-third of her class.



• Frank Herrera Jr. Hispanic Initiative Endowed Scholarship This scholarship was established by Frank Herrera, Jr., a 1967 graduate of the School of Law who was honored with the Distinguished Law Graduate Award in 1988.



• Robert Hobbs Scholarship Established in 1991 by Robert Hobbs, a former Professor of Law at St. Mary's University, with the support of the St. Mary's Law Alumni Association. Funds are awarded to needy and worthy students.



• Brenda Jolene Kaufman Memorial Scholarship Established in 1982 by family and friends in loving memory of Brenda Jolene Kaufman, who attended St. Mary's University School of Law. Awards are made to needy and worthy students.



• David Mills Latham Memorial Scholarship Established in 1992 by B. Mills and Beverly Latham in loving memory of their son, David, who died in his third year at St. Mary's. Awards are made to needy and worthy students who were raised by a single parent employed in the legal community. A law student who is a single parent and was employed in the legal sector prior to entering law school is also eligible.



• Law Alumni Association Endowed Scholarships This scholarship fund was established in 1994, during the first year of the Association's dues appeal.



• Law School Memorial Scholarship Fund Established by the members of the Class of 1990 in memory of two classmates, Jeffrey P. Sonnenburg ('90) and Walter J. Verlander ('90) who died before completing their law studies. The scholarship provides funds for non-direct costs while attending law school.



• Judge Lee H. Lytton, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Honoring Judge Lytton's devoted service to the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, this scholarship is awarded to a first-year student with outstanding academic ability who is in need of financial assistance. Preference is given to qualified students from Kenedy County, Kleberg County, or the Diocese of Corpus Christi.



• Margaret Maisel Scholarship Established in 1988 by Margaret Maisel ('71) to provide financial assistance to the second-year student with the highest academic standing.



• Pat Maloney, Sr., Scholarship Established in 1994 by Pat Maloney, Sr., as a part of the Hispanic Initiative Scholarship Project. Awards are made to attract and retain Hispanic students.



• Judge Jack B. Miller Scholarship Established in 1993 by Anne M. Cofer ('86) in memory of the late Judge Jack B. Miller, a former Professor of Law at St. Mary's University. Awards are made to needy and worthy students, with preference given to students who excel in trial advocacy.



• George E. and Claudine Pletcher Scholarship Established in 1988 by George and Claudine Pletcher, the parents of Anthony E. Pletcher ('75) and Timothy H. Pletcher ('82). Awards are made to needy and worthy students.



• Ernest A. Raba Scholarship Established in 1985 by G. P. Hardy III ('70), Mance Michael Park ('76), and G. Bert Smith ('50) in honor of Dean Emeritus Ernest Raba ('37), and longtime Dean and Professor of Law at St. Mary's University. Funds are given to needy and worthy students.



• Judge Blair Reeves Scholarship Established in 1994 by the San Antonio Bar Foundation in honor of Chief Justice Blair Reeves ('51) on the occasion of his retirement from the bench after more than thirty-five years of public service. Awards are made to needy and worthy students.



• Caroline L. Reynolds Endowed Scholarship This scholarship is awarded to academically qualified and financially challenged law students.



• Luther G. Rutherford Memorial Scholarship Established in 1985 by Sun Harvest Farms and friends in memory of Luther Rutherford ('62), a former Professor of Law at St. Mary's University. Funds are available to needy and worthy students.



• Annie Frances Schroeder Endowed Scholarship Alfred "Jud" Schroeder Jr. (J.D. '61) and his brother George Schroeder (J.D. '69) established this scholarship in memory of their mother. This scholarship assists deserving law students.



• Fred A. Semaan Memorial Scholarship Established in 1982 in loving memory of Fred A. Semaan, who attended St. Mary's in the late 1940s, by his wife, Barbara Ann. Awards are made to needy and worthy students.



• Eric J. Spielhagen Memorial Scholarship Established in 1977 by his wife, Inez, and son, Eric R., in memory of Eric J. Spielhagen, who attended St. Mary's School of Law. Funds are provided to needy and worthy students.



• Joseph R. Steele Memorial Scholarship Established in 1989 by his law partner, Shelton Smith ('80), in loving memory of Joseph R. Steele. This scholarship is awarded without regard to financial need, with preference given to a student committed to providing legal services to the average working men and women of society.



• Eloise & Gerald Stockard Scholarship Established in 1970 by Eloise and Gerald Stockard to provide financial assistance to needy and worthy students.



• Judge Gilbert W. Thompson Scholarship Established in 1985 by the El Paso Bar in honor of Judge Gilbert W. Thompson, Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Texas. Awards are made to third-year students who plan to pursue a career in commercial law or bankruptcy law.



• The Sarah K. Thompson Memorial Fund Created by family and friends in loving memory of Sarah Kathryn Thompson, to provide financial assistance in attending the Innsbruck program. Recipients must demonstrate a concern and interest in helping the poor and elderly in need of legal services.



• Olive Trueheart Endowed Scholarship This scholarship is awarded by the San Antonio Bar Auxiliary Foundation to students selected on the basis of good character, financial need, and scholastic endeavor.



• Lamar Bruni Vergara Dean's Scholar The Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust established in 2002 a renewable full tuition scholarship to a deserving law student from Webb County with an intent to return to the county to practice law upon his/her graduation.



• Charlotte Walston Scholarship The Marguerite Sours Foundation established a scholarship in 2002 in memory of Mrs. Walston, beloved wife of William Walston, Sr. (J.D. '70) and mother of William Walston, Jr. (J.D. '84).



• Kittie West Law Scholarship Established in 2008 by Kittie Nelson Ferguson, a friend of the School of Law, to provide assistance for law students who clearly demonstrate academic promise and high financial need.



• Judge John H. Wood, Jr., Memorial Scholarship Established in 1979 by Maxine H. Lee, in memory of Judge John H. Wood, Jr. Awards are made to students who have outstanding academic records and who exemplify the high ideals and integrity of Judge Wood.



• Judge K. K. Woodley Memorial Scholarship Established in 1972 in loving memory of Judge K. K. Woodley by his daughter, Evelyn Dryden. Preference is given to a student interested in pursuing a criminal law career.

Cost of Attendance

This Cost of Attendance budget is used for financial aid purpose and may not reflect the actual tuition, fee, or book costs. Please review the St. Mary's University Business Office website for precise information.

Planning For Repayment

It is important that you manage your student loan debt and make your loan payments on time. Otherwise, you may end up in default and this could create serious consequences later.

Obtain Your Loan Information

The U.S. Department of Education's National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) can provide helpful information regarding who your loan servicer is, information on your federal loans, including loan types, disbursed amounts, outstanding principal and interest, and total amount of your loans.

You will need your FAFSA pin to access NSLDS at www.nslds.ed.gov or, you may call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID or (800) 433-3243 to get information on your loan servicer.

Loan Consolidation

Loan consolidation allows you to manage your student loans by combining them into a single loan with a fixed interest rate, and to make a single monthly payment. To learn more about loan consolidation, visit the Department of Education's Loan Consolidation.

Repayment Plan Options

When the time comes to repay your federal student loans, there are a number of repayment options that you can select from to help you manage your debt and that work best for your financial situation. The plans outlined below apply to Direct Loan borrowers.

Standard Repayment Plan
Extended Repayment Plan
Graduated Repayment Plan
Income Based Repayment Plan
Public Loan Forgiveness

Calculate Your Payment

To estimate your monthly payment under the Standard, Extended, or Graduated Repayment Plan, use the calculator below. You must enter the total amount of your federal student loans.

Calculate a Standard, Extended, or Graduate Loan monthly payment.

Calculate an Income Based Loan monthly payment.

Be an informed consumer, know the options available to you, and monitor your student loan debt regularly.

Forms

• 2011-2012 Special Conditions Form
• 2012-2013 Special Conditions Form
• Graduate/PLUS Loan Application
• Summer 2012 Loan Application Form