Apply for Financial Aid

Southwestern’s LL.M. programs are not eligible for federal financial aid. Private educational loans or scholarships may be available for LL.M. students, depending on the student’s specific program and circumstances. Review the current financial aid information for your LL.M. program before enrolling. J.D. students can use the steps below to apply for federal financial aid. 

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at StudentAid.gov for each academic year you want federal financial aid. You may complete the FAFSA before receiving an admission decision. You will be asked to enter our federal school code, which is shown below:

Southwestern J.D. students are considered independent students for FAFSA purposes and do not need to provide parental information on the FAFSA.

Complete the FAFSA

Step 2: Complete Southwestern’s Financial Aid Form

Incoming J.D. students must complete Southwestern’s Financial Aid Questionnaire, while continuing J.D. students must complete the Institutional Application (I-App). The required form identifies the aid you want and anticipate receiving for the coming year and must be completed before Southwestern can finalize your Financial Aid Offer. The Financial Aid Office will send the appropriate form and instructions when they are available for subsequent academic years. 

Step 3: Monitor Your Southwestern Student Email and Portal

The Financial Aid Office will contact you if additional information or documentation is needed. Complete each requested item as soon as possible. If you are selected for verification, follow the instructions and deadline provided in your verification request. See Financial Aid Verification for additional information/instructions on completing the verification process.

Step 4: Complete Federal Loan Requirements, If Needed

If you borrow a federal Direct Loan, the Financial Aid Office will tell you whether you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN), student loan entrance counseling, or both at StudentAid.gov. 

• Master Promissory Note
• Entrance Counseling

Priority Deadline: March 31

J.D. students should submit the FAFSA and Southwestern’s required Financial Aid Form by March 31. If admitted after March 31, submit both promptly to avoid delays in receiving your Financial Aid Offer or disbursement. 

Note: Deadlines associated with California state undergraduate financial aid programs do not apply to J.D. students at Southwestern.

What Happens Next?

After you have completed the financial aid application process, specified above, the Financial Aid Office will review your eligibility and prepare your Financial Aid package. You will receive an email when your Financial Aid Offer is ready to view or if the office needs additional information.

For details about how Southwestern determines and packages financial aid, see the Financial Aid Packaging Policy on the Institutional Policies webpage.

Last reviewed: October 2026.