Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of financial aid does Hastings offer?

Hastings College of the Law offers a comprehensive program of financial assistance to eligible students. Loans, grants and scholarships are available to assist with educational expenses.

What are the eligibility criteria to receive financial aid?

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who are making satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. Eligibility for different categories of aid is based on financial need as determined by the financial aid system developed by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). To receive Perkins, Direct Stafford and Direct Grad-PLUS loans or a Hastings Grant, applicants cannot be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment. Students are eligible for a maximum of six semesters of campus-based aid.

How do I apply for Loans and Grants?

Applicants for financial aid must submit two forms: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Hastings Financial Aid Supplement. Because the most desirable student loan funds are limited, students are encouraged to complete the financial aid application process as soon as possible. Additionally, you are encouraged to file your tax return with the IRS early because this information may be needed to determine your eligibility. Students who complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and submit the Hastings Financial Aid Supplement by the UCH institutional deadline (February 15 for continuing and March 4 for entering students) receive priority consideration for grants, loans and scholarships. Students who miss this priority deadline will be given the best financial aid package available depending upon remaining funds.

How do I obtain the FAFSA?

We recommend that you apply via the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov for fastest processing of your application. A few weeks after you apply you should receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review the SAR carefully to make sure all the information is correct, and submit corrections to the central processor if necessary.

What special information do I need on the FAFSA to ensure that Hastings will receive my financial information?

You must list UC-Hastings College of the Law with its School code, G03947, on the FAFSA, so that Hastings receives an electronic version of your student aid information. Hastings must receive the electronic version of your SAR in order to review your eligibility for financial aid. Paper copies of the FAFSA or of the SAR are not sufficient.

Are the FAFSA and the Hastings Financial Aid Supplement the only forms I need to complete for Hastings to determine my aid package and send me an award notice?

These are the primary application materials and may be all that is required. However, if your Student Aid Report (SAR)is selected for verification, we will also request additional documents. In addition, there are certain messages on your SAR which may require separate action by you, so read your Student Aid Report carefully for any special instructions. Your file must be complete and Verification satisfied before a financial aid award can be finalized.

What is Verification? 

Each year the Department of Education selects a number of students for a process called Verification.  The Student Aid Report (SAR) you received after filing your FAFSA will indicate whether or not you were selected.  Verification means the data on your FAFSA must be verified by comparing it to the 2012 federal tax return you filed with the IRS.  There are two ways to do this.  The Department of Education's preferred method is for you to go online to www.fafsa.gov  and initiate the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) process. This process will pull data directly from your tax return and update the FAFSA.  DRT is not available to all tax filers. The alternative option to DRT is to submit to the UC Hastings Financial Aid Office, a copy of your 2012 IRS Tax Return TRANSCRIPT. If you have questions on how to retrieve a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS, please contact our office or refer to the Tax Filer Verification form we send via email.

 If your application is selected, you will be contacted by our office via email. You must submit the requested documentation to the Financial Aid office as soon as possible. If you are married, you must also submit all requested information for both you and your spouse. No financial aid award can be finalized until the verification process is complete. We encourage you to file your IRS tax return early.

What do I do when I receive my award letter?

Review your award letter and decide what type of aid you wish to accept, and submit the electronic award letter. If you accept the Subsidized, Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loans, you need to apply for these loans with the Department of Education. Please refer to instructions. You will need to complete federal loan Entrance Counseling if you are accepting federal loans. You can complete the federal loan Entrance and Exit Counseling on-line.

Perkins loans require separate paperwork which is handled by the Office of Fiscal Services.

How can I find out more information?

For general financial aid information, including further information on scholarships and loans, visit the FinAid website at www.finaid.org. You can find more information on financial aid at UC-Hastings by visiting the Financial Aid web pages at the UC-Hastings website. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 415.565.4624 if you have additional questions or concerns. If you would like to visit the Financial Aid Office, office hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Phone calls are taken from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.