Need-Based Grant Assistance
Dean's Tuition Grants are awarded to approximately 1/3 of the full-time J.D. class based on financial need. The Dean's Tuition Grant Program is funded by Georgetown Law's general funds and by generous contributions from alumni, firms, foundations and other friends of Georgetown Law. Only full-time J.D. students are eligible for need-based grant assistance. All applicants must meet the requirements to receive federal financial aid (e.g. valid citizenship, not in default on a prior loan) in addition to fully completing the Need Access application and an institutional application containing both the student's and the student's parents' data.
To determine financial need, Georgetown Law uses this information to evaluate both student and parental financial strength, relative to others in the class. Federal income tax returns for the applicable year are used to verify the data provided on the Need Access forms for both the student and the parent(s). Awards are generally renewable at the same level for up to two additional years of full-time study at Georgetown Law (one additional year for transfer students).
Changes significantly affecting the financial situation of the student, student's spouse and/or student's parent(s) may affect the level or availability of grant assistance in future years. In addition, students earning significant pay through summer employment (e.g., through work as law firm summer associates) are expected to use a portion of their earnings for their education and, accordingly, are likely to have their grant assistance reduced for the following year. In order to retain eligibility for grant assistance, recipients must demonstrate their financial need by, in part, annually borrowing their full eligibility for federal Stafford loans, at a minimum.
Dean's Tuition Grants are awarded with the understanding that there is a moral obligation for the student to repay the funds received. By accepting the grant award, the student accepts his/her moral responsibility to contribute to Georgetown Law when financially able to do so. The fulfillment of this moral obligation will help to replenish the grant fund and ensures that Georgetown Law will be able to offer institutional aid to future students.
