Estimated Cost of Attendance

The Office of Financial Aid uses a “Cost of Attendance (COA) budget” to calculate your total estimated educational costs for the nine-month academic year. The components that make up the Cost of Attendance at Chicago-Kent College of Law include direct or billable expenses of tuition and fees, and the indirect or non-billable expenses of room and board, books, transportation and miscellaneous/personal expenses. Each amount that we allot for budget components is based on data that our office collects through a student survey every year.

Cost of Attendance Overview by Academic Year

COA—Specific to 1L Students

Your total Cost of Attendance as a 1L is based on a flat rate of 31 credits for the academic year. Students have a set registration schedule of 16 credits for the fall semester and 15 credits for the spring semester (*unless you opt to do the 1L Your Way Program).

If you opt for the 1L Your Way Program and begin your studies at Chicago-Kent in the summer semester (Summer Start Students) you must complete the appropriate FAFSA forms.  The Summer is the ending term of our academic year, so for Summer Start students, if you wish to be considered for federal financial aid, you will want to either complete the current academic year's FAFSA or add the Chicago-Kent school code, and complete the upcoming academic year's FAFSA form. Your Cost of Attendance for the summer semester is distinct from your nine-month academic year Cost of Attendance. You must be registered for at least three credit hours for the summer term in order to be considered for federal financial aid. Please visit our webpage for detailed information on the Summer Financial Aid Process specific to Summer Start Students.

COA—Specific to 2L Students

The total Cost of Attendance for continuing students is based on the minimum number of credits required of your program type (from a financial aid perspective only...not from an academic standpoint). For Full-Time/Day Division students, that would be 12 credit hours for both fall and spring semesters. For Part-Time/Evening Division students the COA would be based on six credit hours for both fall and spring semesters.

**If you are taking more than the standard minimum credit load per semester and your current Cost of Attendance budget does not meet your total billable and non-billable expenses, you may email the Office of Financial Aid with the number of credit-hours in which you intend to enroll for both fall and spring semester, and request an increase of your federal student loans.

COA—Specific to 3L Students

We understand that you may be close to graduation and not need as many credits as in past semesters. However, you must still demonstrate at least half-time enrollment to maintain your federal financial aid eligibility. If you do not meet the enrollment criteria, you may contact the Student Accounting Office to make payment arrangements or you may apply for a private educational loan (tuition only).

Half-time enrollment is considered to be: six credit hours for fall and spring semesters and three credit hours for the summer term. All courses must be applicable toward your degree.

If you plan to take between six and 11 credits in a given semester in your last year at Chicago-Kent, please send your fall and spring enrollment intentions to our office via email. This will prevent delays of your disbursements and refunds. Once we receive your enrollment intentions, we will customize your Cost of Attendance budget to reflect your projected enrollment. It is best to let us know your enrollment intentions at least three weeks before classes start to ensure your financial aid is not delayed.

You must enroll in courses that are applicable toward the 87 credits required of your program for graduation. Any credits taken above the 87 credits required for graduation may not be eligible for federal financial aid.

If you are in your last year and are taking less than 12 credits per semester, no action is required of you to receive your scholarship. Your scholarship will be posted to your student account, but cannot exceed your tuition.

Special Note: The Cost of Attendance for 3L's & 4L's now includes a Professional License Fee, meaning students are provided an allowance in the COA for certain costs associated with obtaining a J.D. Degree.