UK Rosenberg Law offers financial assistance through a variety of sources including federal financial aid, as well as merit scholarships to assist students in financing their legal education.
Cost of Attendance
UK Rosenberg Law tuition rate is an annualized rate, meaning this includes fall, spring, and summer courses.
Click on the links below for more details.
Cost of Attendance: The total estimated expenses to attend UK, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Tuition and Fees: These are the specific charges for instruction and related services, excluding other living and personal expenses.
**The UK J. David Rosenberg College of Law Office of Admissions is not responsible for completing Financial Aid Packaging. If you are an Admitted Student and have a question about your scholarship/loan packaging, please use this link to find your Financial Aid Counselor.
Financial Aid
UK has a central office for all federal financial aid. You can contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (SFA) at 859.257.3172 or visit them in 128 Funkhouser Building on UK’s main campus. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 for priority consideration for all federal financial aid.
You are eligible to apply for federal financial aid if you meet the following conditions:
- You will be enrolled in a degree program for the purpose of obtaining a degree offered UK
- You are enrolled in at least 5 credit hours
- You are a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen (See the FAFSA)
Filling out the FAFSA online is the most expedient way to apply for assistance and includes built in "edits" that help filers avoid common mistakes. You must complete the application and list the University of Kentucky in Step 6. The University of Kentucky's Title IV code is 001989. UK Law does not have an individual Title IV code.
Federal financial aid is available in the following forms:
- Federal Perkins loans
- Federal Direct Loans (unsubsidized)
- Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS loans
- Federal Work Study (please review UK Law's Outside Work Policy)
Federal Loans
The maximum loan funds per year provided under the Federal Direct Loan program is the lesser of $20,500.00 or the amount that SFA determines to be your need. If you disagree with the need assessment, you can find instructions to appeal here.
A Federal Direct Loan is federal loan assistance which must be repaid. At least half-time enrollment status is required. Half-time status for law students is 5 credit hours. Repayment begins six months after you cease to be at least a half-time student. You must complete entrance counseling and you must sign a promissory note at Student Loans.gov. Law students are eligible for unsubsidized loans only. This means loan interest accrues immediately. You may either pay the interest quarterly or you may request that interest be capitalized (added to the loan principle).
Perkins Loans of varying amounts up to $4,000.00 also are available for qualifying students.
The maximum Direct Loan amount for an independent student is $20,500.00 per year. Please Note: At least $12,000.00 of this amount must be in an unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan.
Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loans
If you require funds beyond the amount you are awarded under these federal loan programs listed above, there are private and Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS loans available. For the Graduate/Professional PLUS loan program, you must be enrolled at least half-time. Half-time status for law students is 5 credit hours. This loan can be borrowed in addition to the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. A graduate or professional student is eligible to borrow up to an amount that does not exceed their cost of attendance minus other financial aid. Students may apply at StudentLoans.gov. This website allows students to apply for the loan, receive immediate notification of the credit check, and sign a promissory note and complete entrance counseling.
Interest rates for loans first disbursed on or after July 1,2022 for Direct Plus loan is 6.28%. A Graduate/Professional PLUS borrower may receive a deferment while enrolled at least half-time. The repayment period begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement of the academic year, unless deferred. This loan does not have a 6 month grace period.
Work Study
If you wish to use Federal Work Study as a part of your financial aid package, you must complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate your interest in Federal Work Study in FAFSA Question 31. If eligible, your work study award will be included in your financial aid award package. If you receive an award package without work study, but would like to work through the program, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Entrance Counseling
First-time borrowers of the Federal Direct Loan at UK must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling. These steps must be performed electronically at StudentLoans.gov. Electronic signature of the Master Promissory Note requires the pin number assigned to you by the federal government when you completed the FAFSA. The loan will not be released until all requirements have been satisfied.
Exit Counseling
The Federal Direct Loan requires exit counseling when the borrower withdraws, graduates, or drops below half-time attendance. The online session helps you understand your rights and responsibilities, and prepares you for repayment. Complete the exit counseling at StudentLoans.gov.
Alternative Loans
The University of Kentucky is providing you with information regarding alternative loans to assist you in making an informed decision about funding your education. Before you look at alternative loan funding, make sure you have researched and used all federal and state financial aid funds that are available to you. As you explore alternative loan options, keep in mind what is most important to you and select the program that meets your personal financial situation. Choosing an alternative loan is a long-term decision — it will be with you long after you have graduated. Being informed now could save you time, difficulties, and money later.
If you would like to access a comprehensive comparison chart of all lenders used by University of Kentucky students within the last three years, please click on the Alternative Loan Comparison Chart. The University of Kentucky does not recommend one lender over another, nor do we participate in any agreements or arrangements with any lender. You are not limited to the lenders listed on the Comparison Chart and may borrow with any lender of your choice.
If you have questions concerning a specific alternative loan program, please contact the lender directly.
Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
UK Rosenberg Law awards scholarships based on merit, primarily LSAT and cumulative GPA (as determined by the Law School Admissions Council's Credential Assembly Service). With your admission to UK Rosenberg Law, you will automatically be considered for merit scholarships on the basis of your application. Merit scholarships are available for both resident and nonresident candidates.
UK Fellowships
UK has several fellowships for UK undergraduates who continue their graduate or professional education at UK. These include the Charles T. Wethington, Jr. Fellowship; the W.L. Matthews Jr. Fellowship; and the Otis A. Singletary Fellowship. The Fellowships are for $12,000.00-$20,000.00 and are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and contributions to UK as an undergraduate. All UK Fellowships require a separate application. The deadlines for each fellowship can be found here. The application process is handled by UK's Graduate Fellowship Office. For specific information on UK Fellowships, click here. If you have further questions about the UK Fellowships, please contact the Graduate School directly at 859.257.4613.
Competitive Scholarships*
The J. David Rosenberg Scholarship was endowed in 2019 by gift from J. David and Dianne Rosenberg. The gift strengthens the academic excellence of the College of Law by, in part, supporting scholarships for outstanding students, from among resident and nonresident candidates. Three (3) Rosenberg Scholars are selected each year for the entering class. Rosenberg Scholars receive a three-year scholarship that includes the full cost of tuition (excluding fees) plus an annual stipend. Only candidates applying by February 1 will be considered for the Rosenberg Scholarship, which requires an interview.
The Bert Combs Scholarship was endowed in 1992 to memorialize the achievements of Kentucky's 50th governor, Bert Thomas Combs. The Bert Combs Scholars Program at UK Law rewards the brightest and best law school applicants, from among resident and nonresident candidates. One Bert Combs Scholar is selected in odd-numbered years for the entering class. The Combs Scholar receives a three-year scholarship that includes resident tuition (excluding fees) plus an annual stipend. Only candidates applying by February 1 will be considered for the Combs Scholarship, which requires an interview.
The Ashland Inc. Legal Scholars program, initiated in 1995, is endowed by gifts from UK Law alumni in partnership with matching funds from Ashland Inc., one of Kentucky's best corporate citizens. The Ashland Inc. Legal Scholar receives a three-year scholarship of $20,000.00 per year. To be considered for the Ashland Inc. Legal Scholars program, you must demonstrate that you will need to borrow funds to attend law school and be a Kentucky resident. Only candidates applying by February 1 will be considered for the Ashland Inc. Legal Scholarship, which requires an interview. One Ashland Inc. Legal Scholar is selected in even-numbered years for the entering class.
To be a strong candidate for the Rosenberg Scholarship, the Bert Combs Scholarship, and the Ashland Inc. Legal Scholarship, you must not only meet all criteria for admission to UK Rosenberg Law, but also have demonstrated high academic achievement as an undergraduate and in your performance on the LSAT. The recommended academic credentials are:
- An LSAT of 163 or above and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.7 or better;
- An LSAT of 165 or above and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or better; or
- An LSAT of 167 or above and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or better.
The UK Rosenberg Law Scholarships Advisory Group, at its' discretion, will invite a limited number of exceptional candidates to interview for these scholarships.
*These scholarships are subject to change.
The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund is intended to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school and to provide financial assistance to these students. The Scholarship Fund will award $5,000.00 of financial assistance annually to each scholarship recipient attending an ABA-accredited law school. Twenty awards will be made to entering first-year students across all ABA accredited law schools and may be renewable for two additional years. Completed scholarship applications must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline indicated. The application and more specific details can be found here.
Outside Scholarships
The UK Rosenberg College of Law maintains a list of outside scholarships sent to us, which can be viewed here.
Additionally, we recommend you view http://www.fastweb.com/ for further financial aid.
Scholarship Retention
Students retain their scholarships by remaining in good academic standing with a 2.2 or better. The University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law does not award scholarships that are conditional on law school academic performance, other than requiring a student to remain in good academic standing with a 2.2 GPA or better. Therefore, we do not post a conditional scholarship retention data worksheet.