Admissions (Overview)

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study Program provides students the opportunity to work part-time while attending law school. To qualify for a Federal Work-Study position, you must demonstrate financial need and have Federal Work-Study as a part of your financial aid offer. This need-based program is designed to provide jobs to help students with educational expenses. In addition to the regular eligibility requirements, the program requires that participants be in good academic standing. The pay rate for on campus Federal Work Study is $16.30 per hour.

To apply for Federal Work-Study complete the on-line student forms or come in to the Financial Aid Office for more information.  

Federal Stafford Loans

Federal Stafford Loans are low interest loans available to eligible students, in the JD program, to assist them with costs related to their education. These loans are made by the federal government and are known as “Direct Stafford Loans”. The annual maximum Stafford loan for law students is $20,500. The current interest rate for this loan is fixed at 5.28%. Repayment begins six months after the borrower graduates, leaves school or drops to less than half-time enrollment. Since the entire Stafford loan is unsubsidized, interest accrual begins once the loan is disbursed.

To apply for a Federal Stafford loan, complete the Stafford loan request form or come in to the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans

All eligible JD students may borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan in addition to the Stafford loan to help pay for living expenses. A credit check is required and performed by the federal government. You must be enrolled at least half-time, be a US Citizen, US National, or Permanent Resident, and pass the government’s credit check to be approved for the loan. The interest rate is fixed at 6.28% and the loan is deferred while enrolled in law school. Your income and credit score will not affect your eligibility. The maximum amount is calculated to be the total cost of attendance minus any other financial aid. To apply for the Grad Plus loan, go to www.studentloans.gov.

There are many types of financial aid available from Thomas Jefferson School of Law that can assist you in covering the costs of your legal education.

The major sources of funding that may be available to you include: scholarships, federal loans, work-study, outside scholarships, and private education loans.

If you anticipate needing financial aid, you should seek counseling from the office as early as possible. You don’t need to wait until you have been accepted to law school to apply for any financial aid programs. An applicant who delays completing financial aid forms risks missing deadlines and jeopardizing his or her eligibility for assistance.

The sections listed on the side navigation provide a general overview of the types of financial aid offered. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at any time without notice.

Applicants can help ensure their financial aid applications are given maximum consideration by carefully reading the following instructions and submitting all materials to the Financial Assistance Office or the appropriate agency as early as possible.

Step 1
Complete a FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (school code is 013780).

Step 2
Students who want to receive Federal Stafford loans should complete a Stafford loan request form. Completed forms may be faxed, scanned/emailed or mailed to the Financial Aid Office.

• JD Degree 2021/2022 Stafford Loan Request Form

Applying for a Graduate PLUS loan requires students to go online to begin the loan process. The website is www.StudentLoans.gov. This loan is credit-based and the federal government will determine your eligibility.

Step 3
New borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling to receive federal loans. This is done online at www.StudentLoans.gov. There are 2 separate MPN’s (Stafford and Grad PLUS). Both will need to be completed if requesting both loans.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is accredited by the State of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE).  The Law School welcomes transfer applications from students at law schools accredited by the CBE,the American Bar Association (ABA), and from accredited foreign law schools. Students offered admission to Thomas Jefferson will be enrolled in the CBE program. The Law School does not accept transfer applications from students at unaccredited law schools.  All transfer applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and current LSAT score.  Passing the First-Year Law Students’ Examinationis not required to apply as a transfer student.   

Students seeking to transfer from law schools accredited by the CBE or ABA must submit:

• To LSAC:
  • A “Transfer Application,” which includes the following:
    • Personal Statement
    • Resume  
  • CAS Report, which includes the following:
    • Law School transcripts
    • College transcripts, showing bachelor’s degree granted
    • LSAT score
    • Writing sample
    • One current letter of recommendation  
• To Thomas Jefferson School of Law:
  • A letter of good standing from your current law school
  • Course syllabi for each course you are seeking to transfer units 

In accordance with the California Business and Professions Code and the regulations of the State Bar of California, transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the Law School. However, the Law School generally accepts credit for courses completed within 36-calendar months of the anticipated date of enrollment and only for courses in which the applicant received a grade at the “good standing” level or higher from the originating law school.  The number of units of credit allowed for any course completed at a prior law school cannot exceed the number of units the Law School awards for the same or similar course and corresponding classroom hours. The Law School may not award credit for prior externships or clinics.  Transfer credit is limited to a maximum of 40 units, which is half the credit required for graduation. The determination regarding unit transfer is made by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs after reviewing the syllabi for the courses for which the applicant is seeking transfer units. 

The Law School does not have a transfer or articulation agreement with any other college or university. 

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.  

Thomas Jefferson asks applicants to answer a series of character and fitness questions on the application. Students who provide an affirmative response to the character and fitness questions are required to submit an explanatory addendum with their application. Because of the high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the failure to disclose an act or event can lead to more serious consequences than the act or event itself. Failure to provide truthful answers, or failure to inform the Office of Admissions of any changes to your answers in advance of matriculation or during school enrollment, may result in revocation of admission or disciplinary action by the School of Law, or denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek bar admission.

For more information about the California Bar Requirements, please visit: http://www.calbar.ca.gov.

Practice in California

Thomas Jefferson School of Law is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. The legal education provided by Thomas Jefferson School of Law meets all requirements under the rules and regulations pertaining to admission to the practice of law in California. 

In accordance with the California Business and Professions Code and the regulations of the State Bar of California, a student who intends to seek admission to practice law in California must meet all eligibility requirements set forth in the Rules of the State Bar, Title 4 Division 1, Chapter 2 and California Code, Business and Professional Code – BPC Sec. 6060.  An application of admission to the California Bar consists of an application for registration, an application for determination of moral character, an application for any required examination, and payment of the required fees.

In addition to the determination of moral character required by the State Bar, Thomas Jefferson School of Law also considers the moral character of each applicant during the admissions process. Each applicant must disclose all required information on their application and if admitted, has the continuing duty of disclosure through graduation. 

California requires that students intending to practice in California register with the State Bar of California within 90 days of the commencement of their law studies. Registration forms for the State Bar of California are available online at www.calbar.org.

Practice Outside of California

Study at, or graduation from, this law school may not qualify a student to take the bar examination or be admitted to practice law in jurisdictions other than California.  A student who intends to seek admission to practice law outside of California should contact the admitting authority in that jurisdiction for information regarding its education and admission requirements. 

See also the National Conference of Bar Examiners Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements, which includes this state-by-state review. 

International Students

If you received your college degree outside the United States, you must have your transcript(s) evaluated by a professional evaluation service to make sure you have the equivalent of a U.S. undergraduate degree. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) offers a Credential Assembly Service to evaluate your transcript. Transcript evaluations for transfer students and non-JD students may also be evaluated by World Education Services (WES).

Applicants from non-English speaking countries must also provide their TOEFL or IELTS exam results. Our school code is 4973.

Please visit the LSAC website for more information: www.lsac.org

If you received a law degree outside the United States and are interested in seeking admission to a U.S. bar, you may seek admission to the JD Program as a transfer student. You may also be interested in our LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree in American Legal Studies (ALS). The LL.M. in ALS is a one-year program for candidates who seek a U.S. law degree, potentially leading to eligibility to sit for the bar exam in California.

If you have not yet applied to Thomas Jefferson School of Law, please click here.

Important Information:

This page is designed to help answer your questions regarding the steps to take for pursuing your legal studies at our campus if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor a resident alien. We understand that the transition to law school and living in the United States can be challenging. Our Student Services team is ready to help manage this process and we look forward to working with you as you relocate to San Diego.

Transfer Students: International students currently enrolled in an educational program in the United States may transfer to a new learning institution. Students interested in transferring to Thomas Jefferson School of Law should complete the admissions application process through our Admissions Office. Upon notification of admission, you must alert the Student Affairs Office of your intent to transfer. While each school has its own process, the home school (the school you are seeking to transfer from) will need to release you and update you as a transfer on the SEVIS website. An official from your home school should contact our Student Affairs Office to inform us of the release and/or you can provide us with a document reflecting the completion of the transfer. Once the transfer information is complete, we will contact you about the issuance of an I-20 document.

Requesting an I-20 for F-1 Student Status: International students are required to obtain an I-20 document to study in the United States. Thomas Jefferson will only issue the I-20 after an individual has been admitted. Upon receipt of an "offer of admission letter" from our Admission Office, our Student Affairs staff works directly with each student to communicate the information needed to support the request for an I-20 document. The admission letter will disclose the financial obligations for studying at the law school. Students should be prepared to provide financial records that demonstrate the ability to finance their studies in the United States.

Please note: F-1 students must maintain full-time status throughout their law school career.

I-20 Document: The I-20 document supports the F-1 student status. This form is very important and should be treated similarly to a passport. This document will be needed when making an appointment for a visa to enter the country, as well as when arriving into the United States. Upon receipt of the I-20, students should carefully review it to ensure accurate information (name, birth date, and all other information). If there is a discrepancy, please notify the Student Services Office immediately. Please Note: F-1 students may enter the country 30 days prior to the start of classes, as indicated on your I-20 document.

Visa Appointments: Non-resident aliens and non-U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa prior to entering the United States. However, Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. Students who are not Canadian citizens should contact the United States Consulate Office within their home country for more information. Visa appointment times can vary; therefore, it is recommended that students make an appointment as soon as possible. For information regarding the nearest Consulate Office, go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html. This website will also provide you with information on what documents are needed for the appointment, as well as the wait time for an appointment at the Consulate Office in the student's home country. Prior to the meeting at the Consulate's Office, students will need to pay fee I-901, which can be paid online at http://www.fmjfee.com/. There may be additional fees accessed for the visa application as each country is different; therefore, please check the Consulate website stated above for further information.

In general, a visa application requires the following:

• A valid passport (six months remaining)
• An I-20
• Proof of funding (bank statements, letters of support, etc.)
• Photographs for the Visa
• Payment of Visa application fees
• Visa application forms (D-156, D-157, and D-158 as required)
• Payment of I-901

Once issued, the visa will be stamped into the student's passport. The visa has an expiration date that indicates the period of time the student can enter the United States.

Entering the United States: Students are required to go through United States immigration and customs inspection when entering the United States. All documents will be reviewed by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer. The I-20 document will be stamped and an I-94 form will be issued. The I-94 document will indicate the date of entry, your status in the United States, and the day you will leave the United States. It is extremely important that your I-20 and I-94 stamps reflect your F-1 status; therefore, please check the documents prior to leaving the United States Customs area. If your stamp reflects any other status (such as visitor) notify the CBP immediately so that the documents can be corrected.

Orientation and Checking in at Thomas Jefferson School of Law: Once you are settled in San Diego, make an appointment with President & General Counsel Karin Sherr to set up your school check-in. Check-in appointments will include welcoming you to the campus, completing your international student file, registering you in the SEVIS website, providing information on maintaining your F-1 status and orienting you to beautiful San Diego, CA. Students are also required to attend the law school's orientation, about which the Admissions Office will mail information to each student.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is designed to provide students with additional educational opportunities through externships. Students interested in pursuing an externship for CPT should contact the Student Affairs Office.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Optional Practical Training is designed to provide work experience to students in the legal community. This experience can be received in school or after degree completion. Students interested in OPT should contact the Student Affairs Office for further information.

We know law school is expensive, and we are here to help you receive all of the financial aid for which you are eligible. Fortunately, there are a variety of financial options available to qualifying students. Our goal is to provide personal financial assistance and counseling to fit your needs so that you can focus on your law school education.

Students not eligible for Federal Direct Loans may apply for private loans to help defray the cost of attending the law school. Students may choose any lender they wish, but here is a link with some available lenders: http://www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml#loanchart

Installment Plans

Students may set up installment plans in advance of the payment deadline to make tuition payments.

Quick Links

Online Forms

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Entrance Counseling

Master Promissory Note

Types of Aid

Loans

Financial Aid provided by either the federal government or private lenders. Interest accrues once the loan disburses and the federal loans have origination fees. This is financial aid that must be repaid.

How to Apply for Federal Aid (Eligible Students)

Applicants can help ensure their financial aid applications are given maximum consideration by carefully reading the following instructions and submitting all materials to the Financial Assistance Office or the appropriate agency as early as possible.

Step 1

Complete a FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (school code is 013780).

Step 2

Students who want to receive Federal Stafford loans should complete a Stafford loan request form. Completed forms may be faxed, scanned/emailed or mailed to the Financial Aid Office.

• 2023/2024 Stafford Loan Request Form

Applying for a Graduate PLUS loan requires students to go online to begin the loan process. The website is https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/. This loan is credit-based and the federal government will determine your eligibility.

Step 3

New borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling to receive federal loans. This is done online at https://studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/. There are 2 separate MPN’s (Stafford and Grad PLUS). Both will need to be completed if requesting both loans.

Cost of Attendance

Tuition