Applying for Financial Aid
Incoming and Transfer Students Continuing Students (application process with prior lender) Continuing Students (changing lenders) LL.M. Students International J.D. and LL.M. Students
Winter and Summer Session On-Campus Visiting Hofstra Law School Visiting Away (Study Abroad or Third-Year)
If you plan to apply for financial aid while at Hofstra Law School, there are a number of steps you will need to follow in order to ensure that your application is completed quickly and accurately. Depending on your particular situation (incoming, continuing, or summer student), the specific application process will change slightly. Select the situation below, that best reflects your circumstances and review the application instructions.
J.D. Incoming and Transfer Students
If you're an incoming student, the steps to apply for aid are listed below (continuing students click here).
Students must fill out the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for Federal Aid. The FAFSA should be filed as soon after January 1, 2009 as possible. The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Work-Study and other aid. A FAFSA can be filed online at "www.fafsa.ed.gov". A U.S. Department of Education PIN number is required *. Hofstra University School of Law Federal Code is #002732.
All students applying for a need based grant or loan must complete a NeedAccess Application as well as a Hofstra University Law School Institutional Aid application. Students applying for a need based grant must also complete a FAFSA as well.
Note: International students are not eligible to receive financial aid, but may be considered for merit scholarships.
The Financial Aid Process at Hofstra Law School
Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is the basic application for financial aid. You will need to release this information to every school you are considering attending and from whom you would like an offer of financial aid. Applying online is the most efficient and accurate process. This form must be completed every year that you want to receive financial aid. For that reason, the Department of Education has designed a renewal application and made possible electronic signatures with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you do not have (or cannot remember, if you are a previous financial aid applicant) your PIN, you can find it online at Using the PIN for your application. This speeds up the process considerable and keeps you from having to mail in a signature page.
When you complete the FAFSA you will only need to provide your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) information. The results of the FAFSA are used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs and for those purposes, parental data is not required. Be sure to enter the Federal School Code 002732 for Hofstra Law School so that we receive the result of your application from the Department of Education. The first date you can file the FAFSA for each academic year is January 1 and we would like you to file it no later than April 2. If you are worried about not having your taxes done by then, you can estimate your income information – just estimate precisely.
Step 2: Complete Federal Stafford, Grad PLUS and/or Private loan applications.
Step 3: Complete a Stafford Loan Entrance Interview – FIRST TIME BORROWERS ONLY.
The interview can be completed online at www.mappingyourfuture.org. The Office of Financial Aid receives a confirmation once you have completed the process.
Step 4: Complete the Hofstra Law School Loan Authorization Form (PDF).
After you have reviewed your financial aid eligibility award letter, you should submit this form to the Office of Financial Aid, by June 30.
Step 5: Complete the Hofstra Law School Institutional Aid Application and the NeedAccess Application. Only for those who wish to be considered for need-based grant funding and/or loans through Hofstra Law School.
The Institutional Aid application is unique to Hofstra Law School (most schools have an institutional application of some sort) and it provides us with more detailed information about who you are and what sorts of financial aid you are requesting. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on all parts of your financial aid applications as it ensures that we give you the fastest and most accurate estimate of your funding options. Our preferred filing date for the Hofstra Law School Financial Aid Application is April 2 (or within thirty days of your admission after April 2 for incoming and transfer students).
The NeedAccess Application collects detailed information from both you and your parents (including step-parents and non-custodial parents). It is also critically important that complete and accurate information is provided on all parts of the supplemental application so that we may offer you the most accurate projection of your financial aid eligibility.
The NeedAccess Application is available for completion online and is processed once payment is received. Our preferred filing date for this supplemental application is April 2 (or within thirty days of your admission after April 2 for incoming and transfer students).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to keep an eye on your mailbox and ensure your postal mail and email addresses are updated! Your aid could be delayed if problems or questions arise and we are unable to track you down due to old or inaccurate contact information.
In the meantime, make sure that you complete all the questions on the Institutional Aid Application and return it to the Financial Aid Office by the appropriate deadline. You must include signed copies of your and your parents’ federal tax returns with your Institutional Aid Application. If you have further questions, please call (516.463.5929) or e-mail the Financial Aid Office and we would be glad to help.
Students must fill out the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for Federal Aid. The FAFSA should be filed as soon after January 1, 2009 as possible. The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Work-Study and other aid. A FAFSA can be filed online at "www.fafsa.ed.gov". A U.S. Department of Education PIN number is required *. Hofstra University School of Law Federal Code is #002732.
All students applying for a need based grant or loan must complete a NeedAccess Application as well as a Hofstra University Law School Institutional Aid application. Students applying for a need based grant must also complete a FAFSA as well.
Note: International students are not eligible to receive financial aid, but may be considered for merit scholarships.
The Financial Aid Process at Hofstra Law School
Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is the basic application for financial aid. You will need to release this information to every school you are considering attending and from whom you would like an offer of financial aid. Applying online is the most efficient and accurate process. This form must be completed every year that you want to receive financial aid. For that reason, the Department of Education has designed a renewal application and made possible electronic signatures with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you do not have (or cannot remember, if you are a previous financial aid applicant) your PIN, you can find it online at Using the PIN for your application. This speeds up the process considerable and keeps you from having to mail in a signature page.
When you complete the FAFSA you will only need to provide your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) information. The results of the FAFSA are used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid programs and for those purposes, parental data is not required. Be sure to enter the Federal School Code 002732 for Hofstra Law School so that we receive the result of your application from the Department of Education. The first date you can file the FAFSA for each academic year is January 1 and we would like you to file it no later than April 2. If you are worried about not having your taxes done by then, you can estimate your income information – just estimate precisely.
Step 2: Complete Federal Stafford, Grad PLUS and/or Private loan applications.
Federal Stafford Loan: Select a lender. Complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), if necessary. In most instances, the MPN may be completed online. A PIN number is required. These promissory notes are typically good for ten years. If you have had previous loans and continue with the same lender, you should not have to complete another MPN. However, if you are CHANGING LENDERS you must complete a new MPN and please inform the Hofstra Office of Financial Aid of the name of your new lender along with their lender code. This is very important as lenders have various codes and not providing us with the correct information may significantly delay this process. Also if you select a lender that is not a HESC partner, the process is manual and takes significantly longer and you will receive your funds via paper check instead of electronic disbursement. If you have further questions, please call (516.463.5929) or e-mail the Financial Aid Office and we would be glad to help.
Grad PLUS Loan: Complete a Graduate and Professional Student PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN). In most instances, the MPN may be completed online at www.hesc.com. A PIN is required.
Private Loan: Apply for your private loan by going to your chosen lender’s Web site and submitting an electronic application. Remember that private loan approval is based upon your credit. If you prefer to submit a paper application, contact your lender to have them mail you an application form. Submitting a paper application will increase the processing time of your loan. Note: Submitting numerous applications will negatively affect your credit score.
Step 3: Complete a Stafford Loan Entrance Interview – FIRST TIME BORROWERS ONLY.
The interview can be completed online at www.mappingyourfuture.org. The Office of Financial Aid receives a confirmation once you have completed the process.
Step 4: Complete the Hofstra Law School Loan Authorization Form (PDF).
After you have reviewed your financial aid eligibility award letter, you should submit this form to the Office of Financial Aid, by June 30.
Step 5: Complete the Hofstra Law School Institutional Aid Application and the NeedAccess Application. Only for those who wish to be considered for need-based grant funding and/or loans through Hofstra Law School.
The Institutional Aid application is unique to Hofstra Law School (most schools have an institutional application of some sort) and it provides us with more detailed information about who you are and what sorts of financial aid you are requesting. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on all parts of your financial aid applications as it ensures that we give you the fastest and most accurate estimate of your funding options. Our preferred filing date for the Hofstra Law School Financial Aid Application is April 2 (or within thirty days of your admission after April 2 for incoming and transfer students).
The NeedAccess Application collects detailed information from both you and your parents (including step-parents and non-custodial parents). It is also critically important that complete and accurate information is provided on all parts of the supplemental application so that we may offer you the most accurate projection of your financial aid eligibility.
The NeedAccess Application is available for completion online and is processed once payment is received. Our preferred filing date for this supplemental application is April 2 (or within thirty days of your admission after April 2 for incoming and transfer students).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to keep an eye on your mailbox and ensure your postal mail and email addresses are updated! Your aid could be delayed if problems or questions arise and we are unable to track you down due to old or inaccurate contact information.
In the meantime, make sure that you complete all the questions on the Institutional Aid Application and return it to the Financial Aid Office by the appropriate deadline. You must include signed copies of your and your parents’ federal tax returns with your Institutional Aid Application. If you have further questions, please call (516.463.5929) or e-mail the Financial Aid Office and we would be glad to help.