APPLICATION STEPS
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For any student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for every Academic Year a student attends.
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be completed once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Unsubsidized Loan. The maximum Unsubsidized Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you have remaining eligibility and need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
Graduate PLUS Loan Application Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be completed each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.
Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Unsubsidized Loan or the Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing, VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
Direct Deposit
Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account will be refunded by direct deposit. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will notify you via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes each semester.
If you have funds in excess of your expenses, the Bursar’s Office will deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit through MyNova. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For any student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for every Academic Year a student attends.
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
- Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
- Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility. - Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
- Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
- Direct Deposit - Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account will be refunded by direct deposit. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer to reflect any loans that have been processed for you. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes each semester.
If you have funds in excess of your charges, the Bursar’s Office will issue you a refund check or deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.
As a J.D. M.B.A. student, you are eligible to receive loan funds not only for your J.D. expenses, but also for your expenses incurred for taking M.B.A. classes during the regular academic year. Summer M.B.A. costs can also be included in your financial aid package if you are enrolled at least half-time during the summer.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s federal code is E00428. For a student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for each Academic Year a student attends.
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan.
The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Law School). All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees.This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
Direct Deposit - Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account will be refunded by direct deposit. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer to reflect any loans that have been processed for you. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes each semester.
If you have funds in excess of your expenses, the Bursar’s Office will deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit through MyNova. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.
As a J.D. LL.M. in International Studies student, you are eligible for financial aid through the federal loan program or from a private loan depending on the eligibility status of the foreign institution you are attending. The amount of aid you will receive will be based on a budget consisting of the tuition charges for Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law (which includes the foreign school tuition charge) plus living expenses based on your particular abroad program. Students with scholarships may not be able to use all or part of their scholarship for this program as there are special restrictions that apply to Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law scholarships.
It is important to note that it may take considerably more time to finalize your financial aid package for these international programs; therefore, you must be prepared for any advance costs that you may incur before your refund will be ready. You should also be prepared for any financial documentation that may be necessary to obtain your VISA before a Financial Aid Estimated Award Letter can be prepared for you.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For a student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for each Academic Year a student attends.
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
Important Note: If the program is through a foreign school that is not eligible for federal loans, you must choose a commercial lender for a private educational loan and apply directly with that lender. After you have been approved for a loan, the lender will send the Office of Financial Aid a school certification form to complete, which we will do after you have completed Step 1 and 2 above. Please be aware that the terms and conditions for private loans may vary from lender to lender and it may be necessary for you to obtain a co-signer.
If this program is through a foreign school that is eligible for federal funds and you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
- Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law). All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into My Nova and accessing VIEW LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
- Direct Deposit - Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account will be refunded by direct deposit. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer to reflect any loans that have been processed for you. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes at the foreign school.
If you have funds in excess of your expenses, the Bursar’s Office will deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit through MyNova. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.
You may apply for federal student aid if you have been granted permission to participate in a study abroad program either through Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law or through another institution. You are not eligible for any institutional scholarships during your study abroad. For study abroad programs that are not through Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, a Consortium Agreement and the Cost-of-Attendance must be completed by the host school. Your loan eligibility will be determined by the tuition, fees and living expenses as determined by the host school and listed on the Cost-of-Attendance form. Disbursements will be scheduled according to the start date of the program as defined by the host school. If the study abroad program is over the summer semester, your summer session loan certified amounts will be determined by Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in compliance with federal regulations.
Visiting Out
You may apply for federal student aid if you have been granted permission to visit away at another institution. You are not eligible for any institutional scholarships during the time you are visiting out. A Consortium Agreement and the Cost-of-Attendance must be completed by the host school. Your loan eligibility will be determined by the tuition, fees and living expenses as determined by the host school and listed on the Cost-of-Attendance form. Disbursements will be scheduled according to the start date of the program as defined by the host school.
Important Note
Processing aid for these programs will take extra time; therefore, you should file all necessary paperwork as early as possible and be prepared for potential delays in receiving funds. You must be prepared to cover any advance costs or expenses such as travel expenses, housing deposits, etc. until such time as your loan funds will be available. If you are participating in a study abroad program it is strongly recommended that you sign up for direct deposit as soon as possible to be able to access your funds while abroad. If direct deposit is not set up, you will need to make arrangements with the Bursar’s Office regarding your refund check.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For a student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for each Academic Year a student attends.
- Provide a copy of your Approval Letter from the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (Not Required if the program is through Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
- Sign the Consortium Agreement provided by the Office of Financial Aid (Not required if the program is through Villanova Univeristy Charles Widger School of Law).
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.
Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School Law).
Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Univeristy Charles Widger School of Law).
All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
Direct Deposit
Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account will be refunded by direct deposit. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer to reflect any loans that have been processed for you. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of your program.
You are eligible to receive loans to cover your living expenses if you have been approved to participate in a summer externship for education credits. You cannot receive funding for an externship if you are receiving work-study funds working for the same employer during the same period of time. Please note, we can only fund up to 10 weeks of living expenses over the summer while working your externship.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For any student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for every Academic Year a student attends.
After you have been accepted, an initial review of your processed FAFSA will take place and the Office of Financial Aid will prepare an Estimated Award Offer. The Estimated Award Offer will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive, and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award offer is ready to view. Award offers are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as My Nova.
Please note that students are always encouraged to contact or visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure to account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the studentaid.gov, is:
“Is a percentage of your loan amount charged by the lender for the processing of your loan. Federal student loans have an origination fee; therefore, the amount you may receive as a disbursement may be slightly lower than the amount you accept.
Although some private loans do not have origination fees, federal loans generally have a lower interest rate and are less costly overall.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because the Loan Origination Fee Calculator is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse (Note: final approval of all federal loans is determined by the Department of Education). The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site):
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law).
Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova University Scharles Widger School of Law). Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Univeristy Charles Widger School of Law).
All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees and health insurance fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova Univeristy Charles Widger School of Law but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and thenSee Cash Management Statement.
Direct Deposit
Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account can be refunded either by paper check or by direct deposit. It is recommended that you sign up for direct deposit in order for you to receive your refund in a more timely and efficient manner. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer to reflect any loans that have been processed for you. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes each semester.
If you have funds in excess of your charges, the Bursar’s Office will issue you a refund check or deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit. You will be notified via email when your refund is available to you, which will be approximately 2-5 business days after your loans have been disbursed to your student account. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available.
If you are accepted into the Graduate Tax program and are enrolled at least half-time and meet other eligibility criteria, then you can be reviewed for financial aid. Four credits are required to be considered half-time and six or more credits are considered full-time status.
Your financial aid package will be based on the number of credits taken and how many semesters you will be enrolled. If you drop or add classes after your eligibility has been determined, adjustments will be made to your loan amounts.
Please note, if you are enrolled in the Graduate Tax Online Program additional eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Must be enrolled at least half-time status (4-6 credits), and;
- Must be enrolled in 15 weeks of consecutive instruction per semester (both 8 week A & B sessions).
- Your financial aid requirements must be completed before the first day of classes to be considered paid for the semester. If you have any outstanding financial aid requirements that are due to the Office of Financial Aid after the semester begins, you may be assessed a late fee by the Bursar's Office.
- Required - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law's federal code is E00428. For any student who wishes to utilize Federal Loans, a FAFSA Application is required for every Academic Year a student attends.
- Required - Graduate Tax Financial Aid Form
The Office of Financial Aid will review your processed FAFSA and your Villanova Law School Financial Aid Application (additional information or documentation may be requested as a result of the review). Once the review process is complete, an Estimated Award Letter will be prepared. This letter will outline the types and amount of financial aid that you may receive and it will also provide you with information for completing any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied before your loans can disburse. You will be notified by email when your award letter is ready to view. Award letters are accessed via Villanova Law School’s secure site known as MyNova.
The Office of Financial Aid recommends all students review Know Your Loans: A beginner’s guide to understanding Law School Funding. This interactive PDF links definitions from the Federal Student Aid website and provides examples of how each term relates to a student's Financial Aid Package at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Whether you are utilizing Federal Financial Aid for the first time or reviewing as a refresher during your 2L or 3L year, the Know Your Loans: A beginner’s guide to understanding Law School Funding is an excellent resource to better understand the relationship between a student's budget, and the funds they receive. While this guide is designed to be a tool to help Widger School of Law students understand their Financial Aid; please note that students are always encouraged to visit one of the Financial Aid Professionals located in the Student Services Suite of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law if they have additional questions.
When accepting funds, please ensure you account for the Loan Origination Fee which, per the Federal Student Aid Website, is:
“A percentage of the total loan amount. The loan fee is deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrow. You're responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed and not just the amount you received.”
To learn more about Loan Origination Fees, Please review the Federal Interest Rates and Fees page on studentaid.gov.
Please utilize the Loan Origination Fee Calculator as a guide to calculate the amount of funds that will disburse to your account. Because this is an interactive PDF, you will need to download the file to calculate the amounts. Please note that these are percentages and may round up or down.
It is the responsibility of each student to monitor their account, and to ensure that all applicable balances are accounted for. For any outstanding balance that exists on a student account past the first official day of the semester, the student will run the risk of a late fee being assessed to their account.
If you plan to borrow either the Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, you must complete all of the following before any loans can disburse. The following requirements can all be completed online at studentaid.gov (you will need your FSA ID to access this site). Please note, if you are enrolled in the Online Graduate Tax Program, your loans will disburse the second week of the second session in each semester.
Master Promissory Notes (Only needs to be done once for each loan type for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Law School).
Click on Sign Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov to complete a Master Promissory Note for the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. The maximum Stafford Loan eligibility per academic year is $20,500 (refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility). If you have remaining eligibility and need to borrow federal funds in excess of this amount and wish to borrow the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan, you must also complete a separate Master Promissory Note for that loan.Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Application
Click on Complete PLUS Request Process at studentaid.gov to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This must be done each time you apply for the Graduate PLUS loan. Make sure to include the amount you wish to borrow; refer to your Estimated Award Offer for your eligibility.Entrance Counseling - (Only needs to be done once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Law School).
Click on Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov to complete the Entrance Counseling requirement. All first time borrowers for either the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford or the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at Villanova Law School must complete the Entrance Counseling requirement before any loans can disburse.
Cash Management Authorization Statement – (Only needs to be completed once for the duration of time you will be enrolled at Villanova Law School).
All first time borrowers for federal loans must complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement before any loans can disburse. We are required to obtain your permission to use Federal Title IV funds to pay for educationally related charges other than tuition and fees. These other charges can include, but are not limited to, items such as parking fees. This authorization will remain in force for as long as you are enrolled at Villanova Law School but can be cancelled or modified at any time with written notice to the Office of Financial Aid. You can complete the Cash Management Authorization Statement electronically by signing into MyNova and accessing VIEW MY LAW SCHOOL AWARD INFORMATION and then See Cash Management Statement.
Direct Deposit
Any money that has been received on your behalf that exceeds charges on your account can be refunded either by paper check or by direct deposit. It is recommended that you sign up for direct deposit in order for you to receive your refund in a more timely and efficient manner. For more information and instructions on how to sign up for direct deposit, please visit the Bursar’s Office at e-Refund page.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will notify you via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova.
If you have funds in excess of your expenses, the Bursar’s Office will issue you a refund check or deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit through MyNova. You will be notified via email when your refund is available to you, which will be approximately 2-5 business days after your loans have been disbursed to your student account. The time frame for disbursing loan funds and receiving refunds cannot be changed; therefore, it is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.
Students who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible to receive federal student aid. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for federal student aid, then it may be possible for you to borrow a private loan provided a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is willing to co-sign the loan.
Complete the following steps to be certified for a private loan:
Villanova Law School International Student Aid Application along with a valid I-20 form and a copy of your I-94 card.
The Office of Financial Aid will review your completed file (additional information or documentation may be requested as a result of this review). Once the review process is complete, an Estimated Award Letter will be prepared for you. You will be notified via email when your award letter is ready to view. Award letters are accessed via Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law’s secure site known as MyNova.
Choose a lender for your private loan and apply and complete loan paperwork with that lender. The lender will determine your eligibility for the loan. After you have been approved for a loan, the lender will send the Office of Financial Aid a school certification form to complete. Your loan will be certified by our office once Step 1 & 2 is completed. Please be aware that the terms and conditions for private loans may vary from lender to lender, but with most you will be required to have an eligible U.S. cosigner.
After your loans have been processed, the Office of Financial Aid will prepare a Revised Award Offer. You will be notified via email that you can view your Revised Award Offer by signing into MyNova. If you completed all of the above steps in a timely manner, then your funds will disburse to your student account at the Bursar’s Office no earlier than 10 days before the first day of classes each semester.
If you have funds in excess of your expenses, the Bursar’s Office will issue you a refund check or deposit the funds directly into your bank account if you set up direct deposit through MyNova. You will be notified via email when your refund is available to you, which will be approximately 2-5 business days after your loans have been disbursed to your student account. It is recommended that you be prepared for any expenses you may incur before your refund becomes available such as: moving expense, rental deposits, etc.