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 be come educated consumers. The best time to begin to gather financial information is now. Following is some basic information.

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 31ST. 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.
Special Conditions form

Scholarships

Your application for admission to St. Mary's University School of Law also serves as your scholarship application. Scholarship decisions are made by the Admissions Office.

 

Types of Aid Available

Dean's Scholarships: Scholarships which substantially reduce tuition charges are awarded to entering students each year. No separate application is required in order to be considered for one of these awards which are based on past performance and academic potential. The application for admission to St. Mary's University School of Law serves as the scholarship application. Decisions are made by the Admissions Office.

Grants, also called gift aid, are funds that do not have to be repaid.

Loans, as the name suggests, are financial aid funds which must be repaid.

Applicants interested in seeking need-based grants and loans should initiate the financial aid process by completing the FAFSA form.

The following funding programs are available to law students:

The Federal Stafford Loan Program

There are two types of loans available under the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Eligibility for both types of loans will be determined by the Law School Office of Financial Assistance.

The Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is a low-interest, fixed rate and need-based loan, available up to a maximum amount of $8,500 per year. Subsidized means the federal government pays the interest that is accruing while the student is in school.

An Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan is available to students who may not qualify for the Subsidized Stafford Loan or who would like to borrow more than $8,500. It is at same fixed interest rate as teh subsidized Stafford Loan. Applicants may be eligible to receive both Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, but the combined total for both loans may not exceed $20,500 per year. The maximum aggregate for subsidized and unsubsidized loans is $138,500 of which no more than $65,000 may be subsidized.

Alternative Loan

Any loan requiring credit approval. Sources are federal, state or private. An alternative load list is available under forms for download. Alternative loan list

Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG)

Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG) are need-based grants provided by the State of Texas to eligible Texas residents who are enrolled full-time in private colleges and universities in the state. Selection of recipients is made by the univeristy based on availability of funds and the academic standing of the students. First year students are considered for this grant in the spring semester of their first year after fall semester grade point averages (GPA) are available.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Latino law students with demonstrated financial need may obtain funds for law school. The application deadline is usually in May. For information, please contact David Roman, Law Scholarship Director, MALDEF, 634 S. Spring Street, 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014, (213) 629-2512.

Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation

A direct funding loan program, through the Foundation, is available for graduate and law students who meet Texas residency requirements. Loans up to $2,000 per semester are granted to eligible students. Students must apply for funding the semester prior to the semester they use the funds. Information about this loan and other scholarship aid is furnished by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation www.mspf.org.

Students are welcome to research information about other scholarships that are offered by private sources at the Foundation's library in San Antonio.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund

This organization provides scholarships for students of Hispanic-American background. Application deadline is in February. Address inquiries to the Selection Committee, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, 55 Second Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105 1-877-HSF-INFO or at www.hsf.net.

Special Scholarship Program in Law for American Indians

All American Indians and Alaskan Natives who plan to attend law school are encouraged to apply for admission to the Pre-Law Summer Institute. In order to be eligible for the Institute, you must:

• Be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe
• Have an undergraduate degree, or already have completed three years of college, and
• Fulfill your degree requirements during the present academic year
• Have taken, or be scheduled to take, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than the February preceding the Summer Institute; and

Have applied to one or more ABA-accredited law schools.

Deadlines vary each year and enrollment is limited, so interested parties should contact the Institute as soon as possible. Applicants enrolled in non-federally recognized tribes are encouraged to contact the program director for other possible assistance. To request an application or further information, please contact:

Pre-Law Summer Institute, American Indian Law Center, Inc., P.O. Box 4456, Station A, Albuquerque, NM 87196, (505/277-5462) or www.ailc-inc.org.

The Earl Warren Legal Training Program

This programs seeks to increase the number of African-American lawyers in the United States and to stimulate interest in civil rights and public-interest issues by awarding scholarships, summer jobs, and post-graduate internships to qualified applicants. Applications are due on March 15. For further information, please contact The Earl Warren legal Training Program, 99 Hudson Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10013, (212/965-2200).

Opportunities Relating to the Military

Military Science (ROTC) - By special arrangement, law students may take Advanced Military Science and earn a commission in the U.S. Army while law school. Successful graduates may compete for active duty in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Address inquiries to the Department of Military Science, MSC, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX 78228-8561, (210-436-3415)

Because of the numerous military installations in the area, students may be able to participate in other income-producing reserve forces' activities and government legal-career programs, particularly of the United States Air Force and United States Army.

For further information or questions, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at (210) 431-6743 or call 1-800-FOR-STMU or 1-866-639-5831 and ask for the Law School Office of Financial Assistance.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed Scholarships are awarded mainly to returning St. Mary's 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. Ð 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).
• 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.