- S.J.D. Tuition & Fees
- Payment of Fees
- Late Payments and Financial Stops
- Tuition Cancellation
- Living Expenses
- Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents
- Financial Aid & Other Information for International Students
S.J.D. Tuition & Fees
Estimated minimum cost for the first year of the S.J.D. program:
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The tuition cost for S.J.D. candidates who have completed their first year but wish to remain in residence at WCL is $6,208 per year. The tuition cost for S.J.D. candidates who have completed their first year and wish to continue as non-resident S.J.D. candidates is $1,552 per year.
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 Withdrawal during the second week of the semester Withdrawal during the third week of the semester Withdrawal during the fourth week of the semester Withdrawal after the fourth week of the semester |
100% refund minus fee 75% refund 50% refund 25% refund 0% refund |
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/univ_apts.html.
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 international students (except those holding A, G or H visa) are required to purchase health insurance. International 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 $5,795 per year for a spouse and $3,370 per year for each accompanying child (these fees are subject to change). The school-sponsored insurance is effective from August 21, 2008 to August 20, 2009.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).
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.
Financial Aid & Other Information for International Students
In order to satisfy F-1 visa requirements, students must be registered for a minimum or eight credit hours per semester. Other visa statuses may have other requirements. Students who plan to take more than eight credit hours per semester can adjust their tuition rate accordingly.
FINANCIAL AID FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Program on Law and Government does not offer any financial support for S.J.D. students at this time. Because education in the United States is expensive, international students are encouraged to seek funding from sources in their home countries. For assistance in locating sponsoring organizations, contact the U.S. embassy, consulate, or information agency in your country.Students applying for F-1 or J-1 visas must show sufficient funds for educational and personal expenses for each year they plan to study in the U.S. before the university will issue the necessary immigration forms. F-1 or J- 1 visas holders are not eligible for employment. For complete information on regulations and exceptions, visit AU's Office of International Student & Scholar Services website: www.american.edu/ocl/iss, or contact them at:
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8041
202-885-3350IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL COSTS
Students must be able to meet the following costs as they apply to their particular situation.- Travel expenses between home country and United States during vacation periods
- Large purchases (such as computers, furniture, etc.)
- Medical expenses not covered by the University health insurance (eye care, dental care, medical problems developed before arriving at the university.)
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FOR F-1 (STUDENT) VISA
If you intend to apply for an F-1 (student) visa, you will be required by a U.S. consular officer to present a Form I-20 and supporting financial documents to demonstrate your ability to meet financial obligations for the first year of your academic program. Financial documents, such as bank statements, scholarship letters and/or a U.S. Department of Justice form I-134 "Affidavit of Support" showing your total program cost ($38,919.00) must be presented. Sponsors in the Washington, DC area who provide free room and board should use the corresponding figures above in determining their financial contributions to the student. In order to obtain a Form I-20 from American University, the university must first accept students. Students are requested to submit their PIIRF and financial documents with their application to the S.J.D. program. Admitted students will be sent the I-20 with their admissions package. Failure to return the PIIRF with the application will result in a delay in the issuance of the I-20.
