Financial Aid Policy Overview
Financial Aid Program policies are set by a Financial Aid Committee consisting of representatives from the faculty, student body, and administration. The staff of Student Financial Services implements these policies under the general direction of the Assistant Dean for Student Financial Services. All aid programs described in this web site depend on the availability and allocation of funds to support them. The Law School reserves the right to change the terms and guidelines for the various aid programs at any time in order to make the best use of funds available.
Members of the Financial Aid Committee for the 2017-18 academic year are:
- Austin Davis, J.D. ’19
- Henry Druschel, J.D. ’18
- Matt Gruber, Dean for Administration
- Demarquin Johnson, J.D. ’20
- Louis Kaplow, Finn M.W. Caspersen and Household International Professor of Law and Economics
- Ken Lafler, Assistant Dean for Student Financial Services (chair)
- Other J.D. Student Financial Services professional staff members, as needed according to areas of expertise
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Determination of Financial Need
Determination of Financial Need
Each student's financial need is determined by subtracting assessed family resources from the cost of attendance (or student budget) in a given academic year.Continue Reading -
Assessed Family Resources
Assessed Family Resources
Harvard Law School always considers parent resources when determining eligibility for its need-based institutional grant and loan funds.Continue Reading -
Award Packages
Award Packages
All grant assistance awarded by the school also includes a substantial required loan component known as the "base loan package."Continue Reading -
Student Medical Expense Policies
Student Medical Expense Policies
Learn more about health insurance requirements and uninsured medical and dental expenses.Continue Reading -
Married Students and Students with Dependent Children
Married Students and Students with Dependent Children
Students with spouses or dependents have more complex financial needs. How do we support them?Continue Reading -
Academic Year Employment
Academic Year Employment
Working during the academic year is an effective way to meet financial need while reducing your overall borrowing.Continue Reading -
Financial Aid Appeals
Financial Aid Appeals
JD students may appeal to SFS for a reevaluation of their aid offer, student budget, or family contribution based on a change of circumstances.Continue Reading -
VA Yellow Ribbon Program
VA Yellow Ribbon Program
Harvard Law School provides qualifying post-9/11 veterans the maximum assistance available through the Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program.Continue Reading -
Leave of Absence
Leave of Absence
If you withdraw or take a leave of absence from Harvard Law School, you may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid that you received.Continue Reading -
Joint Degree Programs
Joint Degree Programs
Harvard Law offers several joint degree programs to pair with your J.D.Continue Reading -
Off-Campus Studies
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Financial Aid Consumer Information
Financial Aid Consumer Information
In compliance with Federal student aid regulations, the following consumer information is provided to current and prospective students.Continue Reading -
Verification & Ethics in the Financial Aid Process
Verification & Ethics in the Financial Aid Process
As a condition of applying for financial aid, you must agree to comply with Federal and institutional Verification.Continue Reading -
Assistance for Educational Purposes
Assistance for Educational Purposes
Any financial aid you receive while attending HLS is only to be used for your education.Continue Reading -
Financial Privacy & Disclosure
Financial Privacy & Disclosure
How your information is protected in our office and shared with donors.Continue Reading