Tuition for the academic year 2011-12 is $22,746 for in-state tuition and $34,010 for out-of-state (non-New Jersey) residents.

Part-time New Jersey resident tuition is $948 per credit; non-resident tuition is $1,417 per credit.

During 2011-12, student fees per semester are $1,348.25 for full-time students and $735.25 for part-time students.

The School of Law-Camden and the staff in the Office of Financial Aid at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, are concerned with students' educational expenses. The impact of these expenses upon the student and his or her family is significant, in spite of the fact that tuition at Rutgers covers only a small portion of the cost of instruction for each student. In order to allow students with limited financial resources to attend law school, every effort is made to assist students in finding alternatives to finance their education. The majority of students who enroll in the law school receives some form of financial aid. The amount and type of support each student receives depend upon the need for assistance, qualifications, and university funding.  In the 2010-2011 academic year, more than $22 million was distributed to students in the law school through fellowships, grants, loans, and employment. The average financial aid package was about $29,064, with 96 percent of law students receiving some form of assistance. The largest program in 2010-2011 was the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which provided more than $20.2 million to 785 students.

How to Apply

All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually and submit it to the federal processor. Students are encouraged to apply using the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Applications must be received by the federal processor by March 15 preceding the academic year for which aid is sought. The law school's federal Title IV code number is 002629. Letters announcing financial aid decisions are mailed to all students as soon as possible after admission. Funds are limited, and awards are made based on financial need. There is a definite advantage to submitting an early, accurate, and complete application. Financial aid transcripts from prior colleges are not required. Counseling is available by appointment at the financial aid office to all students regardless of whether they qualify for financial aid. When comparing aid offers from Rutgers with other institutions, students should remember that charges often differ significantly from school to school. Therefore, the important thing to consider is not the dollar value of a financial aid offer, but the difference between the total value of the financial aid package awarded by the institution and the cost of attending that institution.

Part-Time Students

Since financial need is determined by comparing a student`s resources with the cost of attending school, many part-time students who are employed may not demonstrate financial need, but may qualify for federal student loans. The federal student financial aid sources (Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Loan programs) require that a student enroll in a minimum of 6 credits per term to be eligible. All application procedures and deadlines applicable to full-time students apply to part-time students.

LOANS

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans

Federal Direct Student Loans (Direct Loans) are available to students from the federal government to pay for educational costs. These loans eliminate the need for an outside lender, such as a bank for your federal loans. To be considered for a Direct Loan, students must complete the FAFSA. Once the FASFA is reviewed, you will receive an award letter issued by Rutgers which will list eligibility for the program. Money for which students are eligible will be credited directly to their accounts. Because Rutgers has chosen to participate in direct lending, the university cannot accept any Federal Stafford applications from students or their lenders. Since the U.S. Department of Education is the lender for the Federal Direct Loan Program, borrowers will send all loan repayments to the department, rather than to several lenders. In general, to be eligible for a Direct Loan, a student must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or meet other standards approved by the U.S. Department of Education, be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non citizen, be enrolled at least half time per term, be making satisfactory academic progress, have a Social Security number, sign a statement of educational purpose, not be in default on prior loans or owe refunds to a federal grant program, and register with the U.S. Selective Service Administration, if required. In addition to these requirements, most first-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers must attend an entrance interview in order to be informed of their rights and responsibilities regarding the loan.  The aggregate limit for Federal Direct Loans, including both subsidized and unsubsidized amounts, is $138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which can be subsidized) for a graduate or professional student (including loans for undergraduate study).

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

This loan is based on financial need. The government pays the interest on the loan while the student is attending school. The interest rate is currently fixed at 6.80 % and will not change throughout the life of the loan.  Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education charges a loan origination fee of 4 percent of the principal amount which is deducted proportionally from each disbursement of the loan. Graduate students may borrow up to $8,500 per year. The total subsidized debt may not exceed $65,500, including loans for undergraduate years.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

This loan is not based on financial need, and all interest charges must be paid by the student. The interest rate in repayment is the same as that of the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. The in-school interest rate for 2011-12 is 6.8%. Students may borrow up to $20,500 per year, less any amount from the subsidized loan program. The total debt permitted for all Stafford and Direct Loans is $138,500.

For additional information regarding Federal Direct Student Loans for Graduate/Professional students, visit the Direct Loan Website at www.direct.ed.gov.

Alternative Loan Programs

The law school participates in all state and national loan programs, which enables a student to borrow the full estimated cost of education less other aid. These loan programs are considered to be private, not administered by either the federal or state government. There are wide variations in the terms and conditions offered by the many lending institutions, so students must do careful research to be sure they are applying for the loan program that best meets their needs and offers attractive options. These loans usually carry a variable rate of interest and are subject to the student passing a credit check. Additional information about these programs is available from the financial aid office.

Emergency Loans

Students who are experiencing a financial emergency may apply for a university loan of up to $300 (up to $500 in an extreme case). The interest rate is 3 percent simple. An emergency need must be demonstrated and funds must be available. Students should contact their local financial aid office for additional information. If loans in excess of this amount are required, an appointment with a counselor is recommended. Students do not need to be recipients of financial aid nor have filed a financial aid application to be considered for these loans. Note: Quoted interest rates may change at any time. Subsequent program regulations for federal, state and private loans and grants may change the terms of eligibility and repayment at any time.


EMPLOYMENT

Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP)

Federal work-study employment may be offered as a self-help portion of the financial aid award. Application for this program is made by filing the FAFSA. On-campus jobs are available in many areas. Selection for a particular job is based on skills, job availability, university needs, and student preference. The assigned employment opportunity is based on an expectation that the student will work between 10 and 15 hours weekly throughout the fall and spring academic terms; in the case of summer assignments, the expectation is that the student will work between 15 and 35 hours per week. Once a job is assigned, it is anticipated that the student will continue in that position through the entire academic year. Any change in work-study jobs must be made through the financial aid office. Off-campus employment also is available through the college work-study program, though it is limited to returning students. These jobs are in non profit agencies. No job assignments are made until all paperwork required to accept the aid is completed. Additional information about our summer off-campus employment program will be available at our annual information session early in the spring term.

OTHER SOURCES OF AID

Veterans Benefits

The War Orphans, Widows, and Veterans Educational Assistance Act provides financial assistance to the children or widow of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability or to the dependents of a veteran who has a total disability. Veterans and other persons planning to receive educational assistance benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA) are advised to secure VA approval for training prior to enrollment. Inquiries concerning eligibility should be directed to the veterans coordinator on each campus. A veteran, widow, war orphan, or dependent approved for training should present the Veterans Administration`s Certificate of Eligibility Forms when registering. In order to be certified for Veterans Educational Assistance Benefits, veterans, war orphans, widows, and dependents must present, in person, proof of enrollment to the university Office of Veterans Affairs at the beginning of each term. Veterans planning to train under Chapter 32 VEAP, Chapter 30 of the New (Montgomery) GI Bill of 1984, or Chapter 106 for Reservists are required by the university to pay cash for tuition, fees, books, and supplies, when due. Veterans, in turn, receive an allowance for each month of schooling, based upon credit hours and the number of dependents. No veteran may withdraw officially from a course (or courses) without prior approval from the academic services and/or dean of student's offices. All withdrawals must be submitted in writing. The date of official withdrawal will be the determining date for changes in benefits. Failure to comply with the official college withdrawal procedure may affect both past and future benefits. Any change in schedule also must be reported to the campus Office of Veterans Affairs immediately.

RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL AID AND EMPLOYMENT

Graduate students ordinarily may not accept simultaneously two different financial awards from the university. Students who have applied for two different awards and are offered both should inquire at the dean`s office of the school of matriculation before acceptance. Students who hold fellowships, assistantships, internships, or Russell Scholarships may not accept employment outside of their academic department without the permission of the graduate director and the dean of the school of matriculation. Graduate students who have received aid administered by the Office of Financial Aid must report to that office any change in income, such as scholarships, loans, gifts, assistantships, or other employment received subsequent to the original aid award.