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.
https://www.montereylaw.edu/currentstudent/financial.html.
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.