Financing Law School
Law school can be expensive, and smart law students make themselves knowledgeable
about the financial aid process and about personal finances. Law school is an important
investment in your future, so it is critical that you become a wise investor.
Throughout your undergraduate career, you should spend money wisely and pay your bills
on time in order to ensure a clean, positive credit record. You will need good credit
to obtain private loans for law school.
Remember, what may seem like small cost savings can quickly add up. If you reduce
your monthly expenditures and spend $100 less each month during your undergraduate
career, you could be $5,000 better off when you begin law school.
It is important to think about your post-law school goals. Your law school debt will
claim a significant portion of your income as a lawyer. If you are interested in working
in a government or public interest job, your salary may not be sufficient to repay
a significant amount of debt. To keep your debt to a minimum, consider less expensive,
state-supported law schools, or law schools that might consider you for a merit scholarship
or grant. Research law school loan repayment assistance programs (commonly known as
LRAPs) that help law school graduates working in public interest law repay their education
debt.
Sources of Funds
Gifts
Gift money is funds that have been given to you and do not need to be repaid. This includes grants and scholarships. There are no federal grants for law school as there are for undergraduate school. Some states and certain schools do provide limited grant money. Some families are also able to help their law students with expenses.
Loans
Loans for law school can be Federal Direct Loans, institutional loans, or private loans (sometimes called “alternative” loans). Currently, the maximum annual Federal Direct Loan amount (with combined subsidized and unsubsidized loans) is $18,500. This amount will cover the tuition and fees at some institutions. However, if you anticipate needing to pay more than this amount, you may need to borrow private loans. Many private lenders will lend you an amount up to the maximum financial aid budget at your school. Be aware, though, that your credit is a very important factor in securing private loans. If your credit is not good enough, you may need a cosigner for your loans.
Earnings
During your first year of law school, there are restrictions from the American Bar Association on the number of hours you can work per week. Some students are awarded college work-study, which helps them obtain jobs at their school. After your first year of law school, you may obtain summer employment, as well as employment during the school year. This can help you reduce the amount of money you will need to borrow.
Frugality
It is often said, "If you live like a lawyer in law school, you will live like a law student once you graduate." Frugality can be your best friend. Remember, just because your school estimates living expenses for the school year at $1,000 per month, that does not mean you have to spend that much (or more).
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Apply for law school as early as possible.
Read information from each school about financial aid and scholarship programs. Some
schools have separate scholarship applications for some or all of their scholarships,
while others utilize your law school application. Schools also vary in how they distribute
their own financial aid funds; many law schools use merit-based criteria (e.g., GPA,
LSAT, and other accomplishments) to award their institutional aid. Complete your FAFSA
as soon as possible after January 1.
You cannot complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) prior to
January 1. You will need your income information for the preceding year, and some
schools request parent financial information for state and school programs. Parental
income will not impact your eligibility for federal loans. You can input an estimated
income for yourself and/or your parents if the federal tax return will not be completed
until later in the spring.
Note: You do not have to be admitted to a law school to apply for financial aid at
that school. You can list several law schools on your FAFSA.
Know Your Deadlines
Some law schools have priority dates for submitting the information on your FAFSA. Students who submit their FAFSAs earlier have a better opportunity to obtain limited grant money. Information from your FAFSA may also determine your eligibility for certain need-based scholarships.
Check Your Credit
If you will be borrowing private loans for law school, you need to order a copy of
your credit report and verify that the information contained therein is correct. A
private lender can deny your request for funds if your credit history does not meet
their minimum standards. It may then be necessary for you to obtain a cosigner for
your loans.
Free credit reports are available under a new federal law.
If you are ever denied credit, a free report is also available from the credit bureau
that was the source of the information on which the credit decision was made. Credit
reports and a credit score can be also obtained for a fee from the three major credit
bureaus. Be vigilant.
Schools will ask for a variety of forms and records after they receive the information
from your FAFSA. Keep handy a copy of your signed federal tax return and W-2 forms.
Contact individual financial aid offices to find out their specific processes for
awarding financial aid.
If you feel you have special financial circumstances, contact the financial aid office.
This can be critical for law students who have been working full-time in the prior
year or who have unusual medical or family expenses.
Getting the Offer
Once you have been admitted to a law school and have completed all the document requirements for the financial aid office, the law school can make you a financial aid offer. To determine your financial need, the law school takes the estimated contribution calculated by the federal government on your FAFSA and subtracts it from their estimated budget. The remaining difference is your financial need. Your need will be filled first with scholarships, then grants, then loans, and then work-study. If you need more funds than you are offered, you will need to contact the financial aid office about private loans and recommended lenders.
Making the Decision
Imagine that you have been accepted to three law schools, and you must now select the one that will be best for you. In addition to examining your finances, you should also factor in the school’s reputation, its location, size, faculty, and its programs.