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Financial Aid FAQ

A: Yes. Since 1981, MCL has been accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California. As part of our accreditation, the Committee of Bar Examiners conducts site
visits every five years.

A: Yes. Monterey College of Law is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. The effective date of Initial Accreditation was May 10, 2025.

The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a nationwide institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education with the following scope of recognition:

WASC Senior College and University Commission
Active - 1952/2017/2023
The dates shown are the year of initial listing as a recognized agency, the year of the Secretary's most recent grant of renewed recognition, and the year for the agency's next scheduled review for renewal of recognition by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity.

Scope of Recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation”) of senior colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, including distance education programs offered at those institutions.

A. Maria Toyoda, President
1080 Marina Village Parkway Suite 500
Alameda, CA 94501
Tel 1: (510) 748-9001
Fax: (510) 748-9797
Email address: mtoyoda@wscuc.org
Web address: http://wscuc.org

A: MCL is extremely gratified that WSCUC has seen quality and compliance sufficient to allow it to recognize MCL with the status of accreditation. 

From WSCUC.org:

“WSCUC pursues excellence and innovation.
With equity at its core—success for all students—WSCUC pursues excellence through rigorous accreditation standards applied flexibly, empowering all its member institutions to achieve their missions.” https://www.wscuc.org/

“What is Accreditation & Why Does it Matter to Me
Accreditation is important not only because it ensures a college or university meets certain standards of quality, but also because it is necessary for an institution to be accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency in order for eligible students to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education.” https://www.wscuc.org/resources/student-toolbox/

“Why is WSCUC accreditation relevant to students?
WSCUC accreditation is relevant to students because they can be assured that the college or university has met standards of quality, is engaged in continuous review, and that eligible students have access to federal financial aid.” https://www.wscuc.org/resources/student-toolbox/

From WASC’s Commission Action Letter dated July 11, 2025:
“The accreditation granted by WSCUC refers to the quality of the institution as a whole… institutional accreditation does not imply specific accreditation of any particular program at the institution… WSCUC is committed to an accreditation process that adds value to institutions while contributing to public accountability…”

Further information about MCL’s accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission can be found on the Accreditation page of this website.

A: Not at present. As the Federal Student Aid Handbook explains: “Schools must apply to and receive approval from the Department of Education to be eligible to participate in the FSA
programs before they can be certified for participation. Some schools apply only for designation as an eligible institution—they do not seek to participate—so their students may receive deferments on FSA program loans or be eligible for the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning tax credits or other non-FSA programs that require schools to be FSA-eligible. The same application is used to apply for both eligibility and certification for participation…” (2024-2025 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Chapter 2).

Accreditation affords MCL a qualification, considered important, to begin applying for eligibility and/or certification for participation. It has been determined that MCL will apply to be certified for participation (that is, to be permitted to originate new loans for students), but this is often a multi-year process with many steps and lengthy reviews.  It is impossible to predict when or if eligibility or participation may be granted and loans or deferments available. Keep watching this space for updates on this process.

A: Yes. As a state-accredited law school, Monterey College of Law is not currently a Federal Title IV educational institution. This means that MCL students do not qualify for federally insured educational loans. However, Sallie Mae® Student Loans are available to students based on their personal credit or that of a co-signer. When students obtain a loan from a third party, students pay a non-refundable deferred tuition fee to Monterey College of Law. When a loan check is received, MCL will promptly notify the applicant and draw a check payable to the applicant. At that time, all current tuition owed must be paid. Our Financial Policy can be found on our website
https://www.montereylaw.edu/currentstudent/financial.html.

A: “Cost of attendance” is a term used in Federal Student Aid programs to describe the estimated total cost of attending college in a given year. It includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and personal expenses, and it is an official number determined by each college. The 2024-2025 Federal Student Aid Handbook explains it as follows: “Awards for most of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are based on some form of financial need. Unlike scholarship programs that may award funds based on academic merit or the student’s field of study, “need-based” grants, loans, and work-study are based on the student’s demonstrated financial need for assistance. The cost of attendance (COA) is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive for purposes of the… Direct Loan program…”See

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/pdf/2024-2025.

MCL attained accreditation effective May 10, 2025, and is in the process of applying for participation in Federal Student Aid programs, but has not yet been certified for participation. This is often a multi-year process with many steps and lengthy reviews.  It is impossible to predict when or if eligibility or participation may be granted and loans or deferments available. MCL has not yet published a net cost calculator or cost of attendance in accordance with the Federal Student Aid definition. Keep watching this space for updates on this process.