Financial Aid
Financial Aid 2008-2009
The University of New Mexico Office of Student Financial Aid has an office located in the law school. The financial aid office is located in room 2514, next to admissions. Please email financial aid officer Janet Lowry, or call (277-9035) for assistance. All financial aid supporting documents for law students (including any requested forms or paperwork) should be sent directly to Ms. Lowry at the law school, rather than to the UNM main campus Financial Aid Office. Your file will not be complete, and you will not receive an award, until all requested information has been received by UNM.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
All students applying for federal loan programs, law school grants, and scholarships must file a FAFSA.
Federal Loan Programs
To apply for financial aid at The University of New Mexico School of Law for fall 2008 and spring 2009, all U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). No additional loan applications are necessary for federal or state-based aid, as you will automatically be awarded with The University of New Mexico as your lender. If you choose to use another lender, please follow the instructions on the award letter that you receive from the UNM Financial Aid Office. You may look at preferred lenders at the Student Financial Aid Office or choose any lender you prefer. For additional information about the federal loan programs, visit the Department of Education.
Need-Based and Merit Grants and Scholarships
The priority application deadline is May 1, 2008 for all grants and scholarships.
Each year, the law school awards a 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 no charge for filing this application.
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.
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 UNM School of Law remains low. In 2006, the average debt load of our graduating students was $34,500. 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 the application process.
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 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters. Please see the descriptions below for specific criteria.
Deadline for all scholarships listed below is May 1, 2008. Students wishing to apply for any of these scholarships should submit the required materials by mail or hand-deliver them in a sealed envelope to Laura Delwiche in the law school Admission and Financial Aid Office, no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2008.
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 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. The amount of the award for 2007-2008 was $10,000.
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. In 2007-2008, the amount of this award was $1200.
To apply, you must submit an unofficial law school transcript with release form, a resume detailing your experience, and a cover letter (1000 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. In 2007-2008, the amount of this award was $1000.
To apply, you must submit an unofficial law school transcript with release form, resume detailing your experience, and a cover letter (1000 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. In 2007-2008, the award was $700.
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. In 2007-2008, the amount of this award was $1150.
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. For 2007-2008, the scholarship was in the amount of $3000.
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 (1000 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.
Alternative Educational Loans
Several educational lenders offer private loans. If you are interested in borrowing alternative loans, you will need to contact your lender directly. Most alternative educational loans are still based on cost of attendance, and most take credit history into account.
