Scholarships & Aid

Financial Assistance

The University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance administers financial aid for students at each school on campus, including the School of Law. The University’s need-based financial aid program is designed to assist students with a combination of financial aid resources, including grant assistance, loans, and/or work-study. 

The School of Law’s Office of Admissions oversees and awards merit-based scholarships and grants. 

In order for any form of financial aid (scholarships, grants, work-study or loans) to post on their accounts, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and identify “University of Maryland, Baltimore” (code 002104) as a recipient institution.

Scholarship Awards

The Office of Admissions awards merit-based scholarships to incoming students for the JD, LLM and MS in Law programs.

  • JD Scholarship Program
    JD applicants are automatically considered for the Maryland Law Scholars Program in the application review process. Scholarship notifications are mailed separately from admission decisions.

    The Leadership Scholars Program and Diversity and Inclusion Scholars are separate review processes where applicants can be considered through application review, faculty/administrator nomination, and/or interview.

  • LLM Scholarship Program
    LLM applicants are automatically considered for the David Hoffman Fellows Program and the Maryland Dean’s Scholars in the application review process. Scholarship notifications are mailed separately from admission decisions.

  • MS in Law Scholarship Program
    MS in Law applicants interested in scholarship consideration, are required to submit a MSL Scholarship Application form.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions with any questions about scholarships.

Scholarship and Grant Retention

Merit-based scholarships are renewable so long as the recipient remains enrolled in good standing with regard to both character and academics. We do not offer conditional scholarships.

Need-based grants awarded by the University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance, often described as University Grants, are renewable based on the timely submission of the FAFSA, the determination of financial need, and the availability of funds.

Student Financial Planning

The Office of Student Affairs at Maryland Carey Law includes a Student Financial Planning Coordinator who assists both prospective and current students with the financial aid process. The Student Financial Planning Coordinator can help you understand the various options available and assist you in making your way through what can be a complex and confusing process.

Marilyn Jones
Office of Student Affairs
Student Financial Planning Coordinator
mmjones@law.umaryland.edu
410.706.0873

Maryland Carey Law is a participating institution in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which was established to address the deficit in G.I. Bill benefits facing eligible Maryland law students. Incoming and current Maryland Carey Law students are eligible to apply for program funds. Priority in selection of recipients is given on a first-come, first-served basis and in accordance to the requirements set forth by the Veteran’s Administration. To be considered for G.I. benefits, you must first submit the application. 

G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Tuition Application

For any questions about the G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, please contact:

Kelli Sattler
Office of Registration and Enrollment
ksattler@law.umaryland.edu
410.706.2045

The federal alliance established by the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management provides a FEDEM Grant to those federal employees, and/or their legal spouses, who are admitted to and enroll in the MS in Law program.

The FEDEM Grant provides a 10% tuition discount to qualifying federal employees and their legal spouses. Please note that if you are receiving tuition support from another program or entity, the combined tuition support cannot exceed total tuition, and the FEDEM grant may be reduced accordingly.

Requirements to qualify for a FEDEM Grant:

1. A federal employee or legal spouse must apply and be admitted to either the MS in Law program.

2. The admitted federal employee must submit:

I. Letter of Request (brief) for a FEDEM Grant identifying the department, unit or location of federal employment.
II. A recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) dated within the past 30 days.
III. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); the school code for the University of Maryland, Baltimore is 002104.

3. The admitted legal spouse of a federal employee must submit:

    I. Letter of Request (brief) for a FEDEM Grant identifying the department, unit or location of employment of the federal employee spouse.
    II. A recent Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) dated within the past 30 days of the federal employee spouse.
    III. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); the school code for the University of Maryland, Baltimore is 002104.
    IV. Copy of a valid marriage license.
    V. A Declaration certifying current married status to the federal employee must be filled out, duly signed, and dated within the past 30 days.

    We strongly urge you to invest some time becoming familiar with financial literacy tools, especially in the areas of budgeting and repayment of loans.

    Federal legislation now provides educational debt relief for some law school graduates. To see the most current and comprehensive updates on the federal programs, visit the Equal Justice Works website and the Income Based Repayment Information website.

    The Equal Justice Works website also provides information about state, law school and public service employer loan forgiveness and loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs).

    Public Interest Loan Repayment programs

    These programs are currently offered for those that pursue a career in public service. We encourage you to consider the following programs:

    Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program (LARP): This program is available through the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and provides educational loan repayment assistance to Maryland Residents who provide public service in Maryland State or local government, or nonprofit agencies in Maryland that serve low income or undeserved residents.  

    D.C. Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (DCBF):  DCBF provides loan repayment assistance to qualified attorneys working for an eligible employer in Washington, DC. DCBF’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program provides one-year, interest-free, forgivable loans, of up to $12,000 per year, to qualified attorneys so they can continue providing exceptional legal assistance to low-income DC residents.

    Maryland Carey Law’s Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

    Maryland Carey Law’s LRAP program awards funds for the purpose of repaying educational student loans to qualified applicants working in public service.  For more information about this program, please contact M. Teresa Schmiedeler, Managing Director, Public Service Programs & Outreach, 410-706-2080.

    The purpose of the Student Emergency Fund (SEF) is to provide limited financial assistance to students currently enrolled at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law who are experiencing a serious financial hardship due to a sudden or unforeseen event that requires additional emergency monetary assistance.

    1. Approved awards will be issued up to $500.00 per student.
    2. Decisions regarding disbursement of funds are made on a case-by-case basis through the Office of Student Affairs.
    3. Awards do not require repayment.
    4. Students should also consult with student financial aid on the impact of their financial aid package in receiving an award.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    1. Applicants must be currently enrolled at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law during the semester they are seeking financial assistance.
    2. Applicants must be in good academic standing and free from disciplinary probation.
    3. Applicants must have a nonrecurring financial hardship resulting from a sudden emergency, accident, or unforeseen event that requires immediate attention. No reasonably anticipated expense will be considered a financial hardship.
    4. Other possible financial resources must have been exhausted and deemed insufficient or not available in a timely manner.
    5. Applicants must be able to provide any and all requested documentation.
    6.  

    The SEF cannot be used to cover any of the following expenses:

    1. Tuition, health insurance, study abroad costs,
    2. Parking tickets and other university-imposed fines,
    3. The bar application, bar exam or associated fees, and
    4. Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel (e.g., Study Abroad) or other non-essential expenses.

    Application Process:

    1. Students must complete the online application.
    2. Provide documentation of the financial hardship.
    3. Requests are reviewed on a case by case basis.
    4. Awardees will also be required to provide documentation confirming that the awarded funds were used to address the need outlined in the student's application.

    Applications for the SEF will be reviewed to determine eligibility, and applicants may be required to meet (on-line or via phone call) with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.