FINANCING YOUR LAW DEGREE
AT QUEEN’S, WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED.
That’s why we focus on supporting you, in many ways, throughout your education here. While you are at Queen’s we want you to focus on the really important things—learning and discovering, thinking big and doing things that just might change the world. We want you to have the information you need, and the help you require, to finance your education. We know that even though all Queen’s students have the ability to achieve their academic goals, not all students share the ability to fully finance their Queen’s education on their own. Please take the time to explore all your options and develop a financial plan that works for you, so you can focus on learning and on your academic success.
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ADMISSION SCHOLARSHIPS During each admission cycle, Queen’s offers admission scholarships on the basis of academic excellence. No scholarship application is required. Additional entrance scholarships available in the J.D. degree program require an application in September.
UPPER-YEAR SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships are available to students who have completed at least one year of studies at Queen’s. At the end of each academic year, the Faculty of Law reviews student achievement during that year. Top students are then selected to receive one (or more) of the many upper-year scholarships, prizes and other merit-based awards. The faculty grants most upper-year scholarships automatically, however, some scholarships do require a separate application. Refer to the Student Awards website for a listing of faculty-specific scholarships. Approximately 26% of Law students receive $385,000 in Queen’s merit-based scholarships each year.
BURSARIES Bursaries are non-repayable grants available to registered students in any year of study who have demonstrated financial need. Demonstrated financial need is based on, but not restricted to, the following factors: student and family (if applicable) income, number of dependants in the family (if applicable), applicant's assets — including savings, the full cost of the program of study,
books and supplies, and basic living expenses. In order to qualify, students must be accessing government student assistance for the upcoming academic year as well in prior post-secondary studies. Note: Once you have been out of high school for more than 4 years, you are considered independent. This means your family income is your income, not parental income. Students applying to the first year of the J.D. program can apply for a Law Admission Bursary. We encourage students to apply by February 15, 2016. This early application process provides prospective students offered admission with upfront knowledge of the bursary assistance they will receive upon registration to Queen’s. We will continue to accept Law Admission Bursary applications until your Admission Response deadline. Each year you are a registered full-time student, you may apply on-line for a Queen’s General Bursary on your SOLUS Student Centre. The deadline to apply is October 31 each year. In 2014-15, Queen’s granted more than $705,000 in Queen’s bursaries to Law students. The average bursary received by Law students at Queen’s was $4,800.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS (EXTERNAL AWARDS) Many agencies, employers and organizations offer awards for post-secondary students. These external awards (not administered by Queen’s) require separate applications, and application dates vary. Check the Student Awards website for links to sites that may be of interest to you.
Financial Fact In 2015-2016 the maximum amount of OSAP assistance available to a single student from Ontario was $13,963 (combination of grants and loans). The repayable loan amount will not exceed $7,400 per year*.
GOVERNMENT STUDENT ASSISTANCE CANADA/ONTARIO INTEGRATED LOANS (OSAP) OSAP Aid Estimator Get an immediate on-line estimate of the government assistance you may be eligible to receive.
osap.gov.on.ca
The federal and provincial governments provide student financial assistance for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons studying at the postsecondary level. Students from Ontario may access government student financial assistance through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The purpose is to supplement, not replace, the financial resources that you (and your family, where applicable) are expected to contribute. Assistance is based on demonstrated financial need as established by the federal and provincial governments and is offered in the form of non-repayable grants and repayable loans. Once you have been out of high school for more than 4 years, you are considered as an independent applicant. This means your family income is your income, not parental income. *The Ontario Student Opportunity Grant limits the annual repayable loan amount to $7,400 per year for a two term academic year. The loans are interest-free while you are a full-time student. Application forms and detailed information about OSAP are available at: osap.gov.on.ca.
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Financial Fact Approximately 60% of all Queen’s Law students are in receipt of government loans and grants.
GOVERNMENT STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROVINCES/TERRITORIES OUTSIDE ONTARIO Every province/territory within Canada provides student financial assistance for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons studying at the post-secondary level. This need-based assistance is intended to supplement, not replace, the financial resources that you (and your family, where applicable) are expected to contribute. You must apply for government student financial assistance through your home province/territory. Application forms and detailed information about these programs are available by linking to the appropriate government websites accessible from the Student Awards website.
STUDENT LINES OF CREDIT It is not uncommon for students to access resources through a Student Line of Credit in addition to the funds they receive through the government assistance program. Law students are encouraged to explore personal line of credit programs tailored to professional degree programs offered by some banks, such as the Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank. These loans do not require a demonstration of financial need and provide special terms to assist the financing of studies in a professional degree program. law.queensu.ca/jd-admissions/costs-financial-assistance
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International students may hold student loans that have been secured through their home country. Contact the appropriate agency in your country for further information. Queen’s University participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, in which borrowers obtain loan funds directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Please visit the Student Awards website for further details. American students may also utilize Section 529 savings plans at Queen’s.
WORK STUDY PROGRAM The objective of the Work Study Program is to provide an opportunity for students in financial need to receive priority for certain part-time jobs, generally on-campus, during academic terms. The maximum you may earn for the fall/winter academic year is $2,000. Students of international citizenship may earn up to $3,000 for the fall/winter academic year. If you did not indicate that you wished to be considered for Work Study on your Law Admission Bursary Application, or did not submit a Law Admission Bursary Application, you may complete a separate Work Study Application that enables the Student Awards Office to determine the extent of your need. Students are encouraged to submit the Work Study Application at any time during the summer. The deadline for submission to the Student Awards Office is September 15.
HOW MUCH WILL MY FIRST YEAR COST? The chart provides guidelines for the costs you may incur – including both education and living expenses – from September through April. To some extent, the amount it costs to attend Queen’s will depend on the choices you make.
Financial Fact Effective financial planning and budgeting are excellent ways to prepare yourself each year for the education and living expenses associated with your postsecondary education. Our Awards Officers are available for appointments to discuss your financial situation. Sessions offer tips on budgeting and a review of the various options that may be available to assist you in financing your education.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance for 2015-2016 TUITION (for domestic students), Student Assistance Levy $17,624 ANCILLARY FEES $ 1,070 Student Activity Fee BOOKS AND SUPPLIES $ 1,830 (if acquiring a computer from Queen’s, you should budget an additional $500 per year) Subtotal Tuition and Books $20,524 LIVING EXPENSES Rent/Utilities $ 3,750 – $ 6,050 Food $ 1,600 – $ 2,000 Other Personal Expenses $ 1,550 – $ 2,400 Local Transportation Full access to Kingston Public Transit Systemiv Subtotal Living Expenses $ 6,900 – $10,450 TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE $ 27,424 – $30,974 i
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to make changes in the scale of fees if, in its opinion, circumstances so warrant.
ii
Tuition fee is for all new full-time domestic students (i.e. Canadian citizens, permanent/landed residents, native persons and exempt international students).
iii Total Fees include the Tuition Fee and Ancillary Fees (Student Activity Fee and Student Assistance Levy). Tuition Fee and Ancillary Fees are based on 2015–16 schedules. iv Refer to “Bus-It” (SGPS) – some exceptions apply. v
All costs based on a single full-time student with no dependants for an eight-month school year.
vi Costs for rent/utilities vary from sharing accommodations to renting a one-bedroom apartment. vii New incoming international students should see the fee schedule at queensu.ca/registrar/currentstudents/fees/undergrad.html See also the fees required for the University Health Insurance Plan at quic.queensu.ca/incoming/costofliving.asp
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TWO STUDENTS, TWO FINANCIAL PLANS
Cost of attendance is a critical factor in the assess-
ment of financial need. It is important to note that bursary amounts may vary depending on each law school’s cost of attendance, and the respective university financial aid policies. At many schools in Canada, this cost may range from approximately $25,000 to more than $40,000. At Queen’s, some students may be eligible to receive Queen’s need-based assistance of up to one-third of the Queen’s cost of attendance.
Scenario 1:
Scenario 2:
Student received maximum government student financial assistance throughout undergraduate studies.
Student completed undergraduate degree without requiring government assistance.
Students use a variety of funding sources to pay for their education. To some extent the amount of resources required to fund your education will depend on the choices you make. We have illustrated two financial plans for two students who are entering the Queen’s JD program in fall 2015. Both have been out of high school for four years, and are single with no dependants.
Government Loans (repayable)* Government Grants (non-repayable)*^ Queen’s Bursary Assistance Queen’s Work Study Program Summer resources Professional Student Line of Credit
Professional Student Line of Summer Credit resources Queen’s Work Study Program
Queen’s Bursary Assistance
$ 7,400 $ 6,563 $ 7,400 $ 2,000 $ 2,500 $ 3,350
Government Loans (repayable)* Government Grants (non-repayable)*^ Queen’s Bursary Assistance** Queen’s Work Study Program Summer resources Professional Student Line of Credit
Government Loans (repayable)*
Total Resources $29,200 Government Grants (non-repayable)*^
$ 7,400 $ 6,563 $ 0 $ 2,000 $ 2,500 $10,750
Government Loans (repayable)* Professional Student Line of Credit
Total Resources $29,200
Summer Resources
Queen’s Work Study Program
Government Grants (non-repayable)*^
* The amounts depicted in the above scenarios for Government Loans and Government Grants are based on financial assistance available to a single Ontario student qualifying for the maximum amount of funding under the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The amount of financial assistance from other provinces and territories will vary. ^ OSAP grants may include both the Canada Student Grant program and the Ontario Student Opportunity Grant (which is available to reduce a student’s annual OSAP debt by limiting the repayable debt to $7,400 for a two-term academic year). **Based on the level of government assistance and Student Line of Credit accessed in year 1, it is expected that students in Scenario 2 (should their financial circumstances remain unchanged) may qualify for some Queen’s financial assistance in their upper years.
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Student Awards Gordon Hall, 74 Union Street Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 Tel 613.533.2216 Fax 613.533.6409 awards@queensu.ca queensu.ca/studentawards