2009-2010 Financial Information
LL.M. Program on Law and Government
LL.M. Tutition & Fees
2009-2010 Academic Year
| Expenses | Full-time Enrollment (12 or more credit hours) |
Part-time Enrollment (less than 12 credit hours} |
| Tuition | $40,584 | $28,557* |
| Fees - General/SBA | 452 | 330 |
| Sports Center | 130 | 60 |
| Technology | 240 | 80 |
| Housing @ $1303 per month | 11,723 | 11,723 |
| Board/Food @ $322 per month | 2,900 | 2,900 |
| Books/Supplies** | 1,038 | 780 |
| Transportation | 2,336 | 2,336 |
| Personal/Misc.*** | 3,388 | 3,388 |
| Total | $62,791 | $50,154 |
** A one-time allowance for computer equipment may be added ander specified condition.
*** Includes Health Insurance fee assessed fall term only.
Costs per Semester
| Tuition and Fees | $20,703 | $14,514 |
| Books | 519 | 390 |
| Livin/Personal Expenses | 10,173 | 10,173 |
| Total | $31,395 | $25,077 |
The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of allowable expenses for the nine month academic year. Costs are based on amounts needed to meet institutional charges and moderate living expenses. Allowances are provided to assist in meeting educational costs and are not intended to cover individual expenses which vary greatly depending upon personal lifestyle. It should be noted that the housing allowance assumes a shared accommodation.
In determining how best to cover expenses, the budget should be considered in its entirety with thought of adjusting expenses in one category to meet costs that may be higher in another. While the cost of attendance cannot be increased to meet financial obligations beyond those specified. consideration may be given to unusual or unexpected expenses with supporting documentation.
The cost of attendance represents the maximum amount of aid that can be received. For financial aid purposes the full-time budget applies to enrollment in 12-17 credits; the per credit hour rate of $l,503 applies to part-time enrollment up to 11 hours. Enrollment in six credits is required for financial aid.
Payment of Fees
The payment of all tuition and fees for students is handled through the University's office of Student Accounts, and is subject to the rules and regulations of that office. Students participating in General Registration, including all entering students, must pay the balance to the Office of Student Accounts. Registration is not complete until the student pays his or her bill.
Registered students whose total charge after deducting all forms of tuition assistance is more than $1,900.00 may elect to use the university's deferred-payment plan. Under this plan, the student pays one-half of the amount owed by the initial due date and the balance approximately seven weeks later.
Late Payments and Financial Stops
Students who fail to meet the payment due date will be assessed a late registration fee. Failure to make payment when due may result in a financial stop being placed on the student's academic record, including transcript and diploma, and may result in denial of advance registration and use of the deferred-payment plan or other credit privileges.
Financial stops may be removed following assessment and payment of a reinstatement fee. A student who has once had a financial stop placed against his or her account may be denied future advance registration and deferred-payment plan privileges even though the student has been reinstated on payment of the reinstatement fee. Repeated failure to make payments when due may result in severance of the student's relationship with the university.
Tuition Cancellation
The appropriate form, available in the Office of the Registrar, must be completed to withdraw officially or to reduce course load. The amount of tuition to be cancelled will be calculated as of the date on which the withdrawal forms are received at the Office of the Registrar and in accordance with the following tuition cancellation schedule.
| Withdrawal during or before the first week of the semester | 100% refund minus fee |
| Withdrawal during the second week of the semester | 75% refund |
| Withdrawal during the third week of the semester | 50% refund |
| Withdrawal during the fourth week of the semester | 25% refund |
| Withdrawal after the fourth week of the semester | 0% refund |
Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents
U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 priority deadline. Do not wait until you are admitted to apply for financial aid. If you meet other eligibility requirements, you may borrow up to $18,500 per year in a combination of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Ford Federal Direct Loans. Other private loan programs are also available. Your total financial aid for one year may not exceed the established cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. International students who can obtain a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen may be able to receive education loans from private lenders. For information and applications, contact the WCL Financial Aid Office.
Need-Based Assistance: Tuition Remission
The Program on Law and Government does not offer full tuition waivers. Partial tuition remission grants, usually of 2 to 3 academic credits, are available for a limited number of LL.M. students. Tuition remission applications should be submitted with your LL.M. application. You can download an application from our website at www.wcl.american.edu/llmlawandgov/tuition_remission_app.pdf.
Merit-Based Assistance: Law & Government Scholars Award
The Program can select up to three students to receive the Law and Government Scholars Award each academic year. These students are selected through their demonstration of outstanding academic and professional achievements. You can download an application from our website at http://www.wcl.american.edu/llmlawandgov/07scholars_app.pdf (PDF File).
Living Expenses
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Rent estimates are based on the average cost of a shared one-bedroom apartment. Rent may include all utilities except telephone service. If utilities are not included, an additional $50 or more each month should be anticipated. Average costs for students sharing accommodation s range from $600 to $900 per month. Normally, students must also rent or purchase furnishings, such as furniture and cooking utensils. Students planning to live alone should expect to pay at least $800 per month. Students should also budget for transportation costs, which vary greatly depending on distance from the university and on preferred type of public transportation.In general, it is not possible to locate off-campus housing by mail or by telephone. Once students arrive in Washington, DC, the university's Off-Campus Housing Office provides housing resources. This information can be obtained online: http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/academic_year_housing/Off_Campus_Housing.htm.
In addition, International Student Orientation programs, held at the beginning of each academic semester, provide workshops designed to aid students in their housing search.
HEALTH INSURANCE
All full-time students (and all international students except those holding A, G or H visa) are required to purchase health insurance. Students are automatically enrolled and billed for the university- sponsored insurance plan. Students may waive this fee if proof of a comparable plan is provided to the Health Center. Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa must provide health insurance for their dependants as well. The approximate costs are $5,285 per year for a spouse and $3,065 per year for each accompanying child (these fees are subject to change). The school-sponsored insurance is effective from August 21, 2007 to August 21, 2008.DISABLED STUDENT EXPENSES
Students with disabilities must anticipate the following annual expenses:
Personal Attendant Care (for students who need assistance in activities of daily living) Hourly rates range from $13- $20 per hour.
Special Services for study outside the classroom (i.e.: sign language interpreters for the deaf. etc.) Hourly rates range from $25-$45 per hour.
FAMILY EXPENSES
Married students who plan to bring their families should add at least $5,500 for their spouse and $4,000 for each child per year to their annual living expenses (includes insurance costs).