Financial Aid

Financial Aid 2010-2011

The University of New Mexico Office of Student Financial Aid has an office located in the law school, room 2514. Please email financial aid officer Carol Cravens, or call 505.277.9035 for assistance. All financial aid supporting documents for law students, including any requested forms or paperwork, should be sent directly to Ms. Cravens at the law school.

Federal Loan Programs

How to Apply

To apply for financial aid at the University of New Mexico School of Law for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011, all U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Completing Your Financial Aid File
All students must sign an "Authorization to Pay Allowable Charges" form, which authorizes UNM to use the students' financial aid to pay for allowable charges such as tuition/fees. The form may be downloaded from the Student Financial Aid Office website, and submitted to Carol Cravens in the Law School Financial Aid Office. 

Admitted students will be able to access LoboWeb through MyUNM to view the status of their financial aid file. You may look under "Unsatisfied Requirements" to see if there are any additional documents required to complete your financial aid file.

Awarding Loans
Once you are admitted and the School of Law Financial Aid Office has received all required documents to complete your file, you will be awarded Stafford Student Loans for the maximum amount you are eligible for based on your cost of attendance. The maximum amount for graduate/professional students is $20,500 for the academic year.  You may reduce or cancel your loan by notifying Carol Cravens.

The Next Steps

Choose a Lender
You will need to choose a lender from the list of preferred lenders at the Student Financial Aid Office, or choose any other lender by following the instructions on the award letter that you receive from the UNM Financial Aid Office.

Complete a Master Promissory Note
Once you have chosen a lender, you will also need to sign a Master Promissory Note with that lender by going to their website. Most lenders will allow you to complete the Master Promissory Note online and sign with an e-signature; however, some lenders require an original signature and will mail you the form instead. Once signed, the Master Promissory Note is good for 10 years and for whatever loan amount is disbursed.

Complete Online Entrance Counseling
If you have not taken out student loans before, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling online by going to www.mappingyourfuture.org. 

Additional Educational Loans
Students who would like additional funding must request a Federal Grad Plus Loan by submitting a completed "Grad Plus Request Form" to Carol Cravens in the UNM School of Law Financial Aid Office. UNM does not award these loans automatically, so the form may be downloaded from the Student Financial Aid Office website, and click on "forms". This loan is credit-based, with a slightly higher interest rate than the federal Unsubsidized Student Loan and can be awarded up to your cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid you have.

Alternative Student Loans
These may be taken out when you do not meet other loan criteria or need additional educational funding. These loans are credit-based and usually have a higher interest rate than the Grad Plus, depending on the lender. If interested in taking out a private, alternative loan you will need to contact your lender directly.

Disbursement
Disbursement occurs each semester, shortly before the start of classes. Provided you are enrolled in classes and all requirements have been completed, semester aid will disburse to your student account and pay toward your balance first. If you have a refund after this has occurred it will be sent to you by the Bursars’ Office either via Direct Deposit that you have set up, or mailed to your current address.

Financial Aid for Summer

  • To receive loans for summer, you must be enrolled in law school at least half time (3 hours) and have a complete financial aid file.
  • Summer expenses are based on the number of hours and the number of weeks for which you are enrolled. 
  • Summer is at the end of the academic year, so if you have received the maximum $20,500 in the Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans during the fall/spring semesters, you will have used all your eligibility for those funds. However, you may request a Grad Plus Loan for your summer expenses. The Grad Plus Loan is credit-based and interest does start to accrue immediately. The Grad Plus request form is available either in the law school financial aid office or online. Please submit to it Carol Cravens in the law school financial office once you have enrolled for summer.
  • You may also receive work-study funds if you meet the above criteria

Financial Aid FAQ

Need-Based Scholarships

The priority application deadline is May 1, 2010 for all grants and scholarships.

Each year, the law school awards a limited number of need-based grants to full-time students from funds provided by private donors. Applying for law school need-based grants is a one-step process. Simply file a Need Access application online at Access Group. There is a $28 processing fee for new applicants and a $15 fee for renewals.

All applicants for law school need-based grants must also either provide parental information or sign the Certification of Financial Independence. Applicants who were claimed as dependents during the most recent tax year must provide parental information. By filing the Need Access application, you will be considered for all law school grants for which you are eligible.

Merit Scholarships

No application is necessary for most merit-based grants. Your application to the UNM School of Law will be evaluated automatically for merit awards. Awards are based on test scores, grades, academic achievements, recommendations and extracurricular and community involvement. Due to UNM’s very reasonable tuition rates, the cost of attending the UNM School of Law remains low. Accordingly, the number of merit-based awards is limited.

Need-based and merit grants are possible due to the generosity of our donors. A list of donors of grant funds is available at Donor List.

Contact Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid Susan Mitchell if you have any questions about Need-based or Merit-based awards.

Scholarships that Require Separate Application

The following scholarships require special application. Generally, each scholarship requires a letter of interest explaining why an individual should be selected, an unofficial transcript accompanied by a transcript release form and a resume.

Scholarships will be awarded for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters. Please see the descriptions below for specific criteria.

Deadline for all scholarships listed below is May 1. Students wishing to apply for any of these scholarships should submit the required materials to Laura Delwiche in the law school Admission and Financial Aid Office.

Esteban Aguilar Endowed Scholarship Fund

The Esteban A. Aguilar Scholarship is awarded to a third-year student who has demonstrated both interest and excellence in trial skills. The student must have demonstrated academic achievement in such courses as Evidence, Trial Practice, Civil Procedure, Pre-Trial Practice, Mediation and Interviewing and Counseling. The student should also have participated in a mock trial competition. It is not necessary that the student have completed all, or even a majority, of these courses/competitions. Faculty members nominate students for this award. Nominated students must provide a letter of interest, an unofficial transcript with a release form and a resume. A committee will review the nominations and select the recipient.

Judge Mayo T. Boucher Law Scholarship Fund

The Judge Mayo T. Boucher Scholarship, established in memory of Judge Boucher, is awarded to a second- or third-year student with substantial ties to Valencia County. To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript with release form, a resume and a letter of no more than 500 words demonstrating your ties to Valencia County and explaining why you are best qualified to receive the Boucher Award.

Gilkey & Stephenson, P.A. Employment Labor Law Scholarship

The Gilkey & Stephenson, P.A. Employment and Labor Law Scholarship will be awarded to a second-year law student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who intends to practice in the areas of employment and labor law upon graduation.

To apply, you must submit an unofficial law school transcript with release form, a resume detailing your experience and a cover letter (1,000 words maximum) explaining why you are best qualified to receive the scholarship. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, comprised of law school faculty and the assistant dean of admissions and financial aid.

The Richard Gonzales Employment and Labor Law Scholarship

The Richard Gonzales Employment and Labor Law Scholarship will be awarded to a second- or third-year law student interested in a career in employment and/or labor law.

To apply, you must submit an unofficial law school transcript with release form, resume detailing your experience and a cover letter (1,000 words maximum) explaining why you are best qualified to receive the scholarship. Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, comprised of law school faculty, a member of the State Bar’s Employment and Labor Section and the assistant dean of admissions and financial aid.

Captain Richard L. Klein Fund

The Captain Richard L. Klein Scholarship was established at the law school in memory of Richard L. Klein, a 1971 graduate. To apply, a student must submit an unofficial law school transcript (first-year students submit undergraduate transcripts) with release form, a resume and a cover letter explaining why he/she is best qualified to receive the scholarship. In addition, the following criteria must be met: demonstrate financial need, be enrolled as a full-time student and be an active or former member of the United States Marine Corps.

Joseph J. Mullins

The Joseph J. Mullins Scholarship has been established in memory of Mr. Mullins, an Albuquerque attorney. The scholarship will be awarded to a student with demonstrated interest and experience in Domestic Relations Law.

To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript and a one-page statement describing your experiences and interest in Domestic Relations Law and explaining why you believe you should be selected to receive the award and how it will help to support your legal education and goals.

New Mexico Black Lawyers Association Cochran Award

The Cochran scholarship is awarded to a second- or third-year student who has demonstrated commitment to serving the Black community, including service to civic, educational and religious organizations. This service can be in the form of volunteer or paid positions, and should evidence leadership abilities. The recipient of this award must also have demonstrated academic achievement (minimum GPA 2.25).

Rose Scholarship Fund

The U.M. Rose Scholarship, established by a bequest from the estate of Betsy B. Rose, provides financial assistance for UNM law students from southeastern New Mexico. The scholarship is administered by the Center for Civic Values.

To apply, please submit an unofficial transcript, a resume and a one-page statement demonstrating your ties to southeastern New Mexico and explaining why you believe you should be selected to receive the award and how it will help to support your legal education and goals.

Carlos F. Vigil Scholarship Fund

Carlos F. Vigil was an attorney who had an extraordinary sense of justice and commitment to the defense of those persons who most needed caring and effective representation in the courts of law. He served the poor, the impoverished and the most helpless members of the community, assisting many people for little or no compensation.

To apply, a student must submit a law school transcript (first-year applicants submit undergraduate transcripts), a resume detailing his/her experience, and a cover letter (1,000 words maximum) explaining why he/she is best qualified to receive the scholarship according to the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated commitment upon graduation and during law school, to the extent possible, to provide legal services (primarily, but not limited to, criminal defense) to low-income New Mexico Hispanics;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the history, culture and social customs of northern New Mexico Hispanic communities;
  • Demonstrated commitment in the past to serving the low-income Hispanic community through civic, educational, or community organizations or employment;
  • A well-rounded undergraduate experience, academic proficiency and financial need.