Does Harvard pay for law school?

Asked by: Aiden Kerluke  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (65 votes)

Financial Assistance from Harvard Financial aid is offered in the form of both grants (scholarships) and loans. The average grant is approximately half of tuition; for a small number of students with particularly acute financial need, we are able to offer grants covering full tuition and a portion of living expenses.

Can I get a 100% scholarship in Harvard Law School?

HLS does not award “merit” or “full-ride” scholarships (which typically are not need-based) because doing so would decrease the resources available for need-based aid, and significantly increase the debt burden of every financially needy student.

How much does law school cost at Harvard?

Harvard University Law School Overview

The full-time program application fee at the law school at Harvard University is $85. Its tuition is full-time: $75,008. The student-faculty ratio is 6.8:1.

Can I study at Harvard Law School for free?

Harvard Law School is pleased to announce the expansion of its financial aid program to provide additional support to students with the highest need. This new financial aid initiative called the Opportunity Fund, will enable the highest-need students to attend HLS without paying tuition fees.

How do people afford Harvard Law School?

For costs not covered by an HLS Grant, students may consider avenues including education loans, external scholarships, student savings from summer employment or personal assets, student earnings from term-time employment, and family assistance.

Harvard Law School Grad on Applying Early + Financial Aid

38 related questions found

What GPA does Harvard Law require?

As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above a 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.

How much is Harvard tuition for 4 years?

Based on the 2023-24 academic year, the estimated total cost of attendance for on-campus students at Harvard University is $86,705 per year. This includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other on-campus expenses. Over four years, this would amount to approximately $346,820.

Can I go to Yale Law School for free?

This year, nearly 15%, or one in seven students in the current 1L class, receives full-tuition scholarships to attend Yale Law School. Launched in 2022, the scholarship covered 51 students in its first year and expanded to cover 75 in its second.

How long is law school at Harvard?

The J.D. (Juris Doctor) at Harvard Law School is a three-year, full-time, in-person rigorous program of study that first gives students the intellectual foundations for legal study and practice, and then gives students the opportunity to focus their studies on areas of particular interest through advanced classes, ...

How many people get full rides to Harvard?

55% of students receive need-based Harvard scholarships. 1 in 4 pays nothing to attend.

Why is Harvard law so prestigious?

“HLS is in a category of its own, offering a unique combination of size and interconnectedness, diversity and familiarity, access to world-renowned faculty, and research support. No other school opens doors around the world in quite the same way.” “Law school was really my time for self-exploration.

How much do Harvard lawyers make?

How much does a Lawyer make at Harvard University in New York? The estimated average pay for Lawyer at this company in New York is $84,581 per year, which is 17% above the national average.

What is the most expensive law school?

Columbia University's law school is the most costly in the nation for 2019–2020, even though it is tied #4 in best law school rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The university is in the heart of Manhattan in bustling New York City.

How much is 4 years of Harvard Law School?

The total estimated cost of Harvard Law School's cost of attendance for one year stands at $111,000. We can multiply this annual estimate by four, resulting in a rough estimation of around $444,000.

What happens if you get into Harvard but can't afford it?

We make a promise to every admitted student: your financial circumstances will not keep you from Harvard. With our generous financial aid program, a commitment to economic diversity, and a breadth of tools and resources, our office helps make sure nothing stands in the way of your Harvard education.

What GPA is required for Harvard Law?

What GPA Do I Need for Harvard Law? While there is no minimum GPA required to apply to Harvard Law, you should aim to match the median GPA of 3.94 or higher for a more competitive application.

What famous people went to Harvard Law School?

Notable Harvard Law School Graduates List
  • Barack Obama. Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, is one of the most distinguished Harvard Law School notable alumni. ...
  • Rutherford B. Hayes. ...
  • Elena Kagan. ...
  • John Roberts. ...
  • Mitt Romney. ...
  • Lloyd Blankfein. ...
  • Ted Cruz. ...
  • Ralph Nader.

What is the difference between a JD and a lawyer?

Esq. stands for Esquire and is added to a lawyer's name once they pass the bar exam. J.D. stands for Juris Doctor, which is earned by graduating from law school. Someone given the title of J.D. has received a law degree but cannot practice law because they're not a bar member.

How to pay for law school if you're poor?

Financial aid can cover the FULL COST of attendance established by the school you attend, if needed. IF YOU NEED TO BORROW loans for this important investment in your future, the flexibility and safety of the federal student loan programs lets you afford repayment of any federal loans you borrow, regardless of career.

How difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.

What is a good LSAT score?

According to U.S. News, law school admissions experts recommend striving for at least a 150; however, for a top-ranking law school, you should aim for a 160 or better. For a Top 10 law school, a 170 or more is desired. Of course, this all depends on which schools you are applying to.

What GPA do you need to get into Harvard?

Final Admissions Verdict

If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration. To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 36 ACT. You should also have a 4.2 GPA or higher.

What is the cheapest Ivy League school?

Q. Which is the most affordable Ivy League school? A. Princeton is often acknowledged as the “most affordable Ivy” due to its commitment to extensive financial aid offerings.