Financial Aid Overview and Resources
At Southwestern Law School, we recognize that covering the costs of law school is a major decision. Southwestern’s Financial Aid Office is committed to helping you understand the costs of attending Southwestern and your eligibility for financial assistance such as scholarships, grants, federal and private student loans, federal work-study (FWS) job opportunities, veterans’ education benefits, and other types of financial assistance.
Start Here
We encourage you to begin the financial aid process early, explore your options carefully, ask questions, and borrow only what you need. Below are key steps for receiving financial aid:
- Review the Cost of Attendance (COA) for your program of study. The COA is an estimate of educational expenses for a specific period of enrollment at Southwestern. It includes expenses like tuition and on-campus housing as well as estimates for things like off-campus housing (rent), transportation, and personal expenses.
- Review available Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships. Some awards are automatically considered through the admissions process, while others require a separate application or have additional eligibility requirements.
- If you are a J.D. student seeking financial aid:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when you apply for admission, and each year you’re enrolled. The FAFSA School Code for Southwestern Law School is G01295 (the second character is the number zero). If your FAFSA application is selected for verification, see Financial Aid Verification for additional information/instructions on completing the verification process.
- Complete the required Southwestern institutional Financial Aid Form (“I-App” for continuing students, and “Questionnaire” for incoming students) and promptly respond to requests from the Financial Aid Office.
See Apply for Financial Aid for step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA application and Financial Aid Form, including deadlines.
- If you plan to take out a loan, make sure you understand the terms of your loan and repayment obligations. Compare your anticipated loan debt, expected monthly payments, and career goals before accepting the full loan amount offered. See Student Loans and Loan Counseling and Repayment for more information.
J.D. Students and Federal Aid
Eligible J.D. students may receive Federal Student Loans and may qualify for Federal Work-Study. Federal eligibility rules apply, including enrollment and satisfactory academic progress standards. Additional information is available in Southwestern’s Federal Financial Aid Eligibility Policy and Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy on the Institutional Policies webpage.
For most J.D. students who begin their program on or after July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans are no longer available. Eligible students may instead borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to the applicable annual and aggregate loan limits.
Certain students who were enrolled in a program as of June 30, 2026, received a Direct Loan in that same program before July 1, 2026, and remain enrolled in that program and school on or after July 1, 2026, may qualify for a limited Grad PLUS exception. See the Student Loans webpage for details.
Explore Financial Aid
For detailed information about financial aid programs, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, award amounts, and other resources, visit:
- Apply for Financial Aid: Learn how and when to apply for financial aid, including the FAFSA and Southwestern’s required financial aid forms.
- Scholarships, Grants and Fellowships: Learn about the scholarships, grants, and fellowships offered by Southwestern.
- Student Loans: Review information regarding federal and private education loans, borrowing limits, and important changes to federal student loan programs.
- Federal Work-Study: Learn about eligibility, employment opportunities, wages, and summer public-interest opportunities.
- Loan Counseling and Repayment: Learn about required Federal Student Loan counseling, repayment options, and resources for managing student loan debt.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Learn about the federal PSLF program and requirements that may apply to borrowers pursuing qualifying public-service employment.
- Financial Aid Verification: Learn about the federal verification process and what to do if you are selected for verification.
- Financial Aid FAQs: Find answers to common questions about applying for, receiving, and managing financial aid.
LL.M. Students
Students enrolled in Southwestern’s LL.M. programs are not eligible for federal financial aid. Depending on the program and individual circumstances, scholarships and private educational loans may be available. The General LL.M. program is not currently accepting applications. Refer to the applicable LL.M. program page for current information.
Veterans and Military-Connected Students
Southwestern proudly accepts U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits for eligible veterans, service members, and their qualified family members enrolled in the J.D. program. Southwestern also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. VA eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by the VA. Visit our Military / Veteran Students page for information about VA education benefits, certification, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and other available resources.
Current Students
Current students should use the Southwestern Portal to access student-specific financial aid and account information, forms, and other materials that require a login.
Financial Aid Policies
Southwestern maintains policies related to federal financial aid eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, financial aid packaging, the return of federal aid (i.e., Return of Title IV (R2T4) Funds) following a withdrawal, conflicts of interest related to education loans. and other financial aid matters. Students should review the following policies, available on the Institutional Policies webpage:
- Federal Financial Aid Eligibility Policy
- Financial Aid Packaging Policy
- Financial Aid Policy
- Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
- Return of Title IV Funds Policy
- Financial Aid Code of Conduct
Additional finance and financial aid policies are available on the Institutional Policies webpage.
Contact Financial Aid
If you have questions, we encourage you to contact our Financial Aid Office by email or phone:
Email: finaid@swlaw.edu
Phone: 213-738-6719
Related Topics
Consumer Information / ABA Required Disclosures
Last reviewed: October 2026.