How to pay for law school: 5 strategies

​A well-earned Juris Doctor (JD) degree is likely not the only thing you’ll leave law school with. The average graduate racks up an average of $160,000 in law school debt, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). There’s no denying the financial burden of law school costs. Fortunately, financial aid for law school — from scholarships and law school grants to graduate loans — can make budgeting for law school possible.

How much does law school cost? 

Among ABA-approved public law schools, the average in-state tuition in 2023 reached $30,554 for one year of study, based on a Law School Transparency report. Private ABA-approved law school tuition reached $55,963 in the same year. Over a traditional full-time, three-year law school track, that’s up to $167,889 just for tuition fees.

Other hidden expenses involved with law school can blindside students, such as:

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) registration
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) subscription
• Law school application fees
• Interview expenses, like transportation and attire
• Study aids, like case briefs and outlines
• Multistate Bar Examination fees
• Housing and relocation costs

Check Out: The average cost of college in 2024

How to pay for law school

1. Apply for scholarships and grants

Leveraging gift-based financial aid that doesn't need to be repaid can help you dramatically reduce law school costs.

Law school scholarships and grants can be found through law associations, your own law school, and third-party organizations. These types of financial aid can be merit- or need-based, and have varying eligibility criteria and award amounts.

For example, the ABA offers its Legal Opportunity Scholarship. This program provides 10 to 20 incoming first-year students from diverse backgrounds scholarship aid toward their law school pursuits. Recipients receive $15,000 in funding.

Some law schools recognize exceptional students with a full-tuition scholarship. Full-tuition scholarships typically have limited awards, and therefore, are highly competitive. However, if you’re selected, the scholarship program usually covers the entirety of your law school tuition for each academic year.

2. Work part-time

Balancing your studies with a part-time job can make law school more affordable. The federal work-study program offers full-time students with demonstrated financial need an opportunity to work up to 20 paid hours during the regular and summer term. Not only does work-study provide relevant job opportunities on- or off-campus, but it also tailors your work hours to fit your class schedule. To determine your eligibility, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

If you don’t qualify for work-study, another alternative is searching for part-time employment on your own. This route is typically less restrictive in terms of permitted weekly working hours. For example, you might decide to get a part-time job as a legal assistant while you’re in law school. 

3. Choose the right law school loan

There are a few types of student loans to consider for law school. The two main options are federal and private student loans. If you need to borrow money to pay for law school, federal loans should typically be your first option before exploring private loans. 

Federal loans for law school 

Federal student loans offer fixed interest rates that help make monthly payment amounts predictable. As a federal loan borrower, you also have access to various borrower protections, like income-driven repayment plans and extended forbearance programs, as well as loan forgiveness, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Law students can primarily access Direct Unsubsidized Loans and grad PLUS loans. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are preferable for their lower interest rates and fees, and eligible law students can borrow up to $20,500 in total unsubsidized loans per year. Graduate PLUS loans can cover any additional college costs not met by other financial aid, but you’ll need to pass an adverse credit check to qualify (with some exceptions). To apply for federal student loans, start by completing the FAFSA to determine your eligibility.

Check Out: FAFSA guide 2024-25

Private loans for law school 

Private student loans are provided by banks, credit unions, online institutions, and even your law school. Generally, private student loans require a credit check, and you must meet the lender’s borrower requirements to qualify. Typically, a credit score in the mid-to-high 600s is needed, but if you have poor credit, applying with a cosigner might help you get approved. Interest rates can be fixed or variable, and repayment options vary by lender. 

The best private student loans offer low interest rates and a loan amount that can alleviate gaps in your financial aid. Private loans are ineligible for federal loan forgiveness programs, though private law school loans might be eligible for some state-sponsored loan repayment programs. These programs typically require you to work for a certain number of years in a qualifying public interest or nonprofit position.

Compare student loan rates 

4. Create a budget

There are many ways to secure financial aid for law school. However, if you don’t manage your funding thoughtfully, you might feel a financial strain during and after your studies.

To create a budget, calculate your monthly net income so you know where your finances are starting from. Tally your monthly bills and essential expenses, including housing, utilities, groceries, car loans, undergraduate loans, and credit card payments, and deduct it from your net monthly income.

What’s left over is your discretionary income, which can be used toward your personal goals. For example, you might decide to set aside 30% of your discretionary income for emergency savings or miscellaneous costs related to law school. The remainder can be allocated toward other purposes, like entertainment, shopping, or retirement savings.

As a law student, you’re likely busy with school and potentially a part- or full-time job. An easy way to stick to your budget is by using budgeting tools like You Need a Budget (YNAB), which helps you track your spending and goals. Law students can receive free access to the tool for their first year, and afterward there’s a monthly cost. 

Check Out: How to pay for graduate school

5. Take advantage of military benefits

A commonly acclaimed military education benefit for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The maximum benefit covers all tuition and fees at a public, in-state school. It also helps cover housing, books and supplies, and relocation costs from a rural area to attend school. If attending a private or international school, benefits are capped and are updated annually. 

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is available to service members who served on active duty for at least 90 days on or after Sept. 11, 2001. You’re also eligible if, on or after that date, you:

• Received a Purple Heart with honorable discharge regardless of your service duration,
• Served at minimum 30 consecutive days and were honorably discharged due to a service-related disability, or 
• Receive transferred benefits as a dependent child of a qualifying veteran or service member.

Other paths toward financial assistance for service members include:

• Fee waivers: As a service member, you might be eligible for various fee waivers for expenses, like law school application fees. These waivers might be provided by the Law School Admission Council or directly by the school you’re applying to.
• The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP): Service members who join the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) can apply for FLEP funding. Each year, 25 eligible, active-duty applicants are selected, and participants get full in-state tuition and fees covered at a supported school. You must agree to a 2-year active-duty service obligation for each year you’re in law school via FLEP.
• The Yellow Ribbon Program: Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Yellow Ribbon program partners with some law schools to help eligible veterans pay for law school costs. Awards can be used toward tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Once accepted into the Yellow Ribbon program, eligible participants receive ongoing annual funding.

FAQ 

How do most students pay for law school? 

Law students typically rely on financial aid for law school. Sources of funding include scholarships, law school grants, work-study opportunities for law students, law school loans, and more.

Which law schools offer the most affordable tuition rates? 

The three law schools with the lowest in-state tuition include the University of the District of Columbia ($12,838), University of North Dakota ($13,023), and Brigham Young University ($13,060).

Is the FAFSA available to law school students? 

Yes, the FAFSA is available to law school students. In fact, the application is required for law students who are interested in receiving federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or graduate PLUS loans, and it’s required to determine work-study eligibility. 

Can I attend law school debt-free? 

Yes, but doing so is a highly competitive endeavor. If you’ve demonstrated exceptional merit and have overcome unique life obstacles in the process, you might be a prime candidate for a full-tuition law school scholarship, or a mix of different scholarships that can help you leave law school debt-free.

How can financially challenged students afford law school?

Prospective law school students who demonstrate financial need should fill out a FAFSA. This single application will determine the types of federal financial aid you’re eligible for, including postgraduate-level student loans, and work-study. Third-party scholarship programs might also require a FAFSA to determine your eligibility for funding.