Dear All

I expect many of those applying for the LLM have sought some form of financial aid from the university they hope to enrol at, whether it be in the form of a scholarship, fee waiver, loan and/or paid work during the academic year.
I understand the amount of financial assistance offered is (to varying degrees) negotiable.

It would help me, and no doubt others, to know the extent of financial aid that has previously been afforded in the past to LLM students at HLS and Columbia. I would be grateful if anyone could share their experience or knowledge on this point.

Thanks in anticipation
NZ

Many HLS LLMs from third world countries receive an $18,500 tuition waiver and $20,000 Citibank loan at slightly below prime rate. This does not include outside scholarships and additional assistance for students headed for the academe and the like.

I've been accepted to Columbia for 2007-8 and was given no financial aid whatsoever. I'm from Ireland, and have a relatively well-paid job, so that may have militated against me. People coming straight out of college and from places other than western europe might have better luck.

Ciunas, interested to know how Columbia communicated this to you. I have also been accepted to Columbia, but was advised that a decision on financial aid would not be made until March/April 2007.

It was in the admissions email. Odd that they communicated it to me so early, but maybe I was a clear-cut case. I was also originally under the impression that the financial aid decisions would be made later.

I got a 15K tuition fee waiver in the admission e-mail from Columbia, which made it sound more like a merit-based thing ("we were very impressed by your credentials, and have decided to offer you a 15K tuition waiver") rather than financial aid on the basis of need, so I e-mailed them asking if I should also expect any aid on the basis of my financial aid application (as it is supposed to be considered later on in spring), but got no reply...

Hello!
I did not get any tuition fee waiver in my admission letter. Do you think this is bad news? I have also applied for the HR scholarship. Do youo believe that this had an impact for them not granting me any waiver?
Thank you

I received a 25K tuition fee waiver from CLS with my admission letter. Not sure if they consider this financial aid or scholarship. I'm from Western Europe with a relatively well paid job and did not state particular financial needs in my application...I guess it's more of a merit based scholarship.

Hi all!
I am pretty sure that criterium on financial aid offer is totally merit-based. I haven't even mentioned anything about necessity and I was awarded with a full-fellowship (complete tuition plus 20k for extra help).
They said in my letter somethink related to good impressions about my background.
Hope to see you all there!

Hi lawstudent2007,

If you don't mind, can you please tell us as to which university has made you this generous offer. Is it CLS, HLS or some other?

Cheers,
AJ.

Seconded. Am very curious! Have never heard of either of the two being that generous!

Hi guys,

I am really concerned now about my situation. I have not received any waiver in my admission letter and Columbia informed that all decisions in regards to financial aid would be given later in this semester.
Do you think I still have a chance to receive a waiver? Or this was only given originally in the admission letter?
Thank you

Just a quick question to the students who have already been admitted and offered financial aid. Did you apply during the early admission process or during the regular one?

mariemboston: Kindly note that for HLS, the admission letter comes first, and the notice regarding financial assistance comes later. Last year, I believe results came out in early April, although Jeanne Tai was sick and that may have caused some delay.

Hi,

I applied for my LL.M last year and got into both CLS and HLS. CLS did not give me any assistance. HLS gave me a 43k package (50% waiver, 50% loan). Like someone pointed out, HLS comes out with its financial assistance decision much after it makes the admission decision. From what I remember, CLS told me I would not be getting anything, in the admission letter itself. I don't know whether the decision was merit- or means- based, though i suspect it was the former. With HLS, it is definitely means based.
Hope this was helpful....

Aparna