Cardozo's Office of Student Finance (OSF) is committed to using its resources to help admitted students attend the law school.
A wide range of financial aid is available for eligible students, which can include institutional merit scholarships, need-based grants and loans, as well as federal and private student loans, and other external resources. Financial aid may be used to assist with students' cost of attendance expenses, such as tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Students who determine that they may need to utilize student loans in order to help finance their legal education, should carefully review the student loan information provided on our website. We encourage students to review our Debt Management webpage, which provides details pertaining to student loan repayment options, loan forgiveness, and short and long-term financial planning. We offer one-on-one financial aid counseling for newly admitted and currently matriculated students, as well as for graduates. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to set up an appointment.
Students may also utilize our various payment options, including our monthly payment plan program, online banking, credit cards, and wire transfers.
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email Email
- phone Phone 646-592-6249
OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5:30pm
Friday: 9am - 2:30pm
The law school is fortunate in having endowed scholarships in place, so that more than $1 million is available annually for need-based grants. In addition, each year some students are awarded funds entirely on the basis of merit as determined through their application for admission; no additional application is necessary for merit scholarships.
Long-term education loans are the primary source of financial assistance. Federal, Cardozo and private loan programs ensure that virtually every student who needs it can receive some kind of financial aid for tuition and/or living expenses. Using a standard national application (FAFSA), a student’s financial need is calculated by a uniform system.
Financial Aid for the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Semesters: Summer '25, Fall '25, and Spring '26.
Financial Aid Applications (Priority Deadline: April 1, 2025)
Financial Aid for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Semesters: Summer '24, Fall '24, and Spring '25.
Financial Aid Applications (Priority Deadline: April 1, 2024)
- If you anticipate requiring financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year, please file your 2024-2025 FAFSA by visiting HERE. Federal School Code: 002903
- International J.D. Students: Please click HERE to file your 2024-2025 International J.D. Student Financial Aid Application.
Changes to the 2024- 2025 FAFSA:
- The number of questions on the FAFSA has decreased from over 100 to less than 50.
- The EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is now the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Students can list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application.
- Applicants will be asked to report their sex, race, and ethnicity on the FAFSA itself, but students will be offered a choice of “Prefer Not to Answer”. Schools and states won’t see responses to these questions on the FAFSA.
- The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) has been renamed the Federal Taxpayer Information (FTI)
- Students will now need to provide their consent in the new Consent to Retrieve and Disclose Federal Tax Information section of the FAFSA for federal student aid eligibility.
- This consent will allow the IRS to share FTI.
- If any party to the FAFSA form does not provide consent, submission of the form will still be allowed. However, a Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated.
For additional information about FAFSA Simplification and the enhancements to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, please review the Department of Education webpages:
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Please visit https://cardozo.yu.edu/formsandhelpfullinks for information on YU's / Cardozo's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Federal Student Loan Interest Rates
Federal student loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, will have the following fixed interest rates:
- Unsubsidized Stafford: 8.08%
- Graduate PLUS: 9.08%
Please note the following:
- Loans disbursed during the above mentioned dates will be fixed for the life of the loan (during school and repayment).
- Interest rates are scheduled to reset every July 1st based on the 10-Year Treasury Note Index plus a set add-on.
The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 relief for student loans ended during the fall of 2023. Federal student loan interest rates and payments were paused starting on March 13, 2020. Student loan interest has resumed on September 1, 2023, and payments have resumed in October 2023.
Students enrolled in school (at least half-time / 6 credits per semester) will continue to receive in-school loan deferments. Interest will accrue on unsubsidized Stafford loans and Graduate PLUS loans while borrowers are in school, however, payments will not be required until approximately 6 months after graduation.
Income-Driven Repayment Plans
The Department of Education offers several income-driven repayment plans, such as Income-Based Repayment (IBR), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), which are designed to assist federal student loan borrowers with more manageable and reduced monthly repayment options. For a detailed comparison of the income-driven repayment plans, please visit HERE.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Student loan borrowers who work in the public sector (government or public interest) may qualify for loan forgiveness through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For details on this program, please visit HERE.
Loan Repayment Assistance Program
Cardozo offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for eligible Cardozo J.D. graduates who have chosen to pursue careers in public service by providing funding to help reduce their educational student loan debt. For details on Cardozo's LRAP, please visit HERE.
Dropbox
Secure Dropbox for Cardozo's Office of Student Finance. We recommend using our Dropbox when submitting sensitive documentation to our office (ex. copies of financial forms, passport, social security card, driver's license, verification and tax forms, etc.).
Cardozo's Office of Student Finance Dropbox, click HERE.
Direct Deposit Refunds
Cardozo offers direct deposit for student refunds. Click HERE to enroll.
Emergency Funding: The Petrie Fund
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation Student Emergency Endowment Fund is an additional resource for law students with short term financial emergencies.
Through the Petrie Fund, Cardozo can provide emergency grants to students with significant financial need in good standing who have short-term financial emergencies. If you are a current student in need of such assistance, please meet with a member of the office to discuss your situation.
For more information, please email Student Finance at cardozostudentaid@yu.edu or Student Services at cardozostudentservices@yu.edu