How to Pay for Law School: Getting Financial Aid

Thinking about going to law school, but not sure if you can afford it? Well, you're not alone. Law school isn't cheap, and many prospective law students grapple with whether they can afford tuition. Before you begin considering this question, it's important to know what your options are regarding ways to pay for law school tuition.

Generally speaking, most people finance their legal education with education loans from both private sources and from the federal government (80 percent of students). Loans from the government generally have the lowest interest rates, so this is a good place to start. Remember, you'll have to have good credit to get these loans so make those credit card payments on time!

Other sources of tuition money include work-study programs, grants, and scholarships. These aren't as common as education loans, but they are still good options if you can get them. Federal work-study programs are generally available for your second and third years of school, as first year students are expected to stay focused on their school work. Scholarships and grants are great ways to pay for your education mainly because you don't have to pay them back. They are awarded based on both need and merit, and as you would expect, they are very difficult to get. Finding these opportunities isn't easy and will require some initiative on your part. Start with local religious and business organizations, fraternities, sororities, social clubs and local bar associations as you begin your search for possible scholarships or grants. They're out there; you just have to do some digging!

Your best source of information regarding all of the various ways to finance your education will likely be the financial aid office of the law school of interest. The financial aid office will be able to give you information on how most of their students pay tuition as well as give you leads on various private and federal grants and scholarships. They will also have information regarding the possibility of institutional loans and how to apply for these. Further, they will be able guide you through the application process, and you'll need the help because the forms required to apply are often tedious and complicated.

When considering the cost of going to law school, you also must consider the price of books and the cost of living. The financial aid office will be able to estimate these costs as well as suggest ways on keeping them manageable. They will know information on student housing, possible on-campus meal plans, as well as ways to cut costs as you buy your books.

As law school will likely cost you around $150,000, you must take advantage of any possible opportunities that exist to help you offset this exorbitant tuition. Remember, there is money out there to help you; you just have to know where to find it.

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