Financial Aid Sources for Non-Matriculated and Less Than Half-Time Students

UC Incentive Grant: This is a tuition grant for new UC undergraduate students and those returning after an absence of at least five years. To be eligible, you must complete 9-15 credits in your first two semesters at UC with an overall GPA of 2.0 and a passing grade in all courses. You are then eligible for tuition grants covering between 2.25 and 4.5 credits free in your third and/or fourth semesters. Matriculation is not required.

Paralegal Student Scholarship Opportunities
Though Syracuse University does not offer scholarships specifically for legal studies students, there are two national paralegal scholarships that interested students are encouraged to investigate. Application forms and information will be on the web each year when the scholarship is announced. See the information below:

American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) LEX Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications usually due in February. Information available in the fall on the web site.
Amount: $500
Five scholarships are awarded. Interested students should contact AAfPE at info@aafpe.org regarding further details.

National Federation of Paralegal Associations West Scholarship
Application Deadline: Applications usually due in July. Information available in the spring on the web site.
Amount: $3500 and $1500
Two scholarships are awarded: one in the amount of $3500 and one in the amount of $1500. Winners’ expenses to the NFPA Convention are also paid.

Students may wish to consider alternative/private loans. Eligibility is determined by students' credit history, and may require the student to have a co-signer.

Choosing a Lender

All lenders are not alike. It pays to make an informed decision when choosing a lender. You will be entering into a long-term relationship with the lending institution. Reasons for selecting a particular lender vary from person to person. Some will choose a lender based on name/brand recognition or reputation. Others prefer established and timely processing. Still others are interested in borrower benefits in repayment, such as an interest rate reduction as a reward for making consecutive on-time payments. We encourage students to select the lender and loan product that best meets their needs.

Many lending institutions make direct solicitations to students (via mail, e-mail, television, and pop-up ads) to use their particular products. As in many consumer decisions, the buyer must be cautious when making selection decisions. Comparisons are critical. You may wish to think about such things as:

• The level of service provided.
• Is it important that that your application and loan funds be processed quickly?
• If so, does the lender offer an online application and application processing with Syracuse University?
• Does the lender offer electronic funds distribution with Syracuse University?
• Does the lender have a web site where the borrower can manage the loans?
• Does the lender sell their loans? If the loan is sold, do any benefits travel with their sale?
• Are interest rates competitive?
• Are there repayment benefits?

Click here for information on Private (Alternative) Loans.

Veteran's Educational Benefits (Chapter 30, 35, 1606 and 1607) are available to less than half-time students and for up to two semesters to non-matriculated students. Click here for additional information.