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Research to Find Law School Concentrations, Scholarships

By U.S. News & World Report

Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.

If you have a question, email us for a chance to be featured next month.

[Get more tips on applying to law school.]

This week, I will discuss law schools that offer cybersecurity programming as well as tips for LL.M. degree applicants looking for financial support.

I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, and I was wondering if I can apply for a law school that concentrates on cybersecurity issues. Could you please recommend the schools or programs that have a focus on cybersecurity in a global perspective and that have scholarships? Thank you! -Cyberpsyched

Dear Cyberpsyched:

Leveraging your undergraduate training in computer science will serve you well in your career goals. Cybersecurity is a quickly growing field. Given the worldwide nature of the web, cybersecurity inevitably involves a global understanding of international laws.

Controversy surrounding Russia’s suspected interference in the 2016 presidential election demonstrates that cybersecurity goes well beyond protecting computers. According to the Department of Homeland Security, “Our daily life, economic vitality, and national security depend on a stable, safe, and resilient cyberspace.”

A few law schools have developed curriculum that focuses on this exciting field. George Washington University‘s Cybersecurity Law Initiative boasts extensive courses ranging from information privacy to counterterrorism. GW also offers a full scholarship for students willing to commit to work as security experts for a government agency postgraduation. To apply, you will need to submit a supplemental application through GW CyberCorps.

The University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law also offers a cybersecurity program. To earn a concentration in cybersecurity and crisis management law, students must complete the required coursework, experiential learning and a research and writing project. Unlike GW’s program, only enrolled students can submit the concentration verification form prior to graduation.

[Learn how to apply to specialized law school programs.]

On the West Coast, Loyola Marymount University’s Loyola Law School Los Angeles has developed a cybersecurity and data privacy concentration. Students in good academic standing are eligible to participate after completing their first year.

Keep in mind that you can still study cybersecurity without formally concentrating your J.D. studies in this field. Consider institutes that offer options that will prepare you for a career in high-tech practice, such as Harvard University‘s Cyberlaw Clinic. The University of California–Los Angeles law school also offers a cybersecurity law and policy course and hosts a Cyber Crimes Moot Court Competition. Even if a law school does not have a formal cybersecurity certification, review course listings and faculty to see if you can build your own focus.

I am from Pakistan. I have done LL.B. Honors from the University of Buckingham and also earned a Diploma in Law. I am interested earning an LL.M. I need a scholarship. Let me know if I am eligible to apply for any scholarships. –Longingly Looking for Money

Dear Longingly Looking for Money:

One good resource for scholarship funding is LLM GUIDE’s LL.M. Scholarship Search portal. If you are interested in studying in the U.S., you can apply for independent scholarship programs through organizations like The Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area.

[Make your case for these law school scholarships.]

You can also apply for scholarships directly through the law school where you hope to earn your degree. Such scholarships are competitive and are typically offered to candidates who demonstrate excellence in a particular practice area.

For example, Columbia University Law School‘s 2018-2019 Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship, which offers partial to full funding, is offered to LL.M. candidates with expertise in international trade. American University Law School‘s Information Justice Fellowship is designed for LL.M.s wishing to study intellectual property and offers a partial tuition scholarship.

To secure a merit-based scholarship, start by identifying why you want to pursue an LL.M. Then develop a list of schools suited to your area of legal scholarship. Finally, put together an application that highlights your legal training thus far, your current work and accomplishments, as well as your goals for the future.

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Research to Find Law School Concentrations, Scholarships originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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