How can I avoid paying for law school?

Asked by: Prof. Melvin Huel PhD  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 5/5 (16 votes)

The best way to attend law school with no money is to apply for scholarships or make yourself a prime candidate to be offered scholarships. Low-ranking schools tend to give out higher-value scholarships more frequently.

How to go to law school if you can't afford it?

  • Take out student loans thru the federal government
  • Do well on the LSAT. Apply to a lower-tier law school where your LSAT score is well above the 75th percentile LSAT score for that law school. They will likely offer you a near-full to full scholarship.

How to lower the cost of law school?

Position Yourself for Scholarships

Institutional scholarships – money from the law school itself that you don't have to repay – are among the best ways to reduce tuition costs.

Is it possible to go to law school debt free?

Although the cost of higher education has continually increased each year, it is still possible to go to law school and graduate without student loan debt. I know firsthand, as I was able to accomplish this myself. There's a few things you can do ...

Is it worth it to pay for law school?

Expected Salary After Law School

Taking on such debt might be a smart investment if a law degree provided reasonable assurance of a high-paying job. Ideally, recent graduates should earn yearly salaries equal to or greater than their total student debt.

How to Prepare for Law School (the summer before 1L)

42 related questions found

How much does the average person pay for law school?

How Much Does US Law School Cost? The average cost of private law school tuition in the US is $53,034 a year. Public in-state tuition is $29,610 a year, and out-of-state tuition is $42,754 a year.

What is the dropout rate for law school?

The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.

How to get a law degree for free?

How to Go to Law School for Free
  1. Attending Lower-Ranking Law Schools for Higher Scholarships.
  2. Working for Law Firms with Tuition Reimbursement.
  3. Applying for Fee Waivers.
  4. Leverage Every Scholarship and Grant Opportunity.
  5. Look Into Loan Repayment Assistance Programs.
  6. Military Service Commitments.

Does FAFSA cover law school?

If you plan on enrolling in law school at the beginning of the fall term, you can apply for federal financial aid using the FAFSA beginning October 1 of the prior calendar year.

How much debt will law school put me in?

The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $92,267 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools in terms of salary-to-debt ratio.

What is the most inexpensive law school?

The cheapest law schools in the US are the University of the District of Columbia law school and the University of North Dakota law school, which are cheapest only for in-state residents.

Can you go to law school and work full time?

Even though the American Bar Association (ABA) dropped their 20 hour a week work limit for full-time law students, many law schools themselves typically limit how many hours a law student can work per week, making it impossible for a professional to keep a full-time job while also attending law school.

Can you negotiate law school tuition?

While some schools state openly negotiations are not an option (do not even try at these schools), many will entertain a dialogue to assist students with a financially feasible way to pay for school.

How to go to law school if you are poor?

Financial aid is available. The primary funding options are Scholarships and grants—the “free” money this is either funded by your law school or funded by private organizations, civic groups, etc.; Loans which can be federal loans or private/alternative/institutional loans.

How hard is the LSAT?

This process is not only time-consuming but can be very expensive as well. So yes, the LSAT is hard, and it is designed that way. It's not so much a test that requires a student to remember random facts, but instead, it is a test that showcases a student's thought process.

Do law firms care where you went to law school?

Your Previous (On-the-Job) Training

Certain firms have the reputation for training people very well—and everyone knows that they have high expectations for the people there. If you get a good job right out of school or thereafter (with a major law firm), firms no longer really care about where you went to law school.

Can I use my Pell Grant for law school?

No, you cannot pay for your law school tuition with a Pell Grant. Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who do not have a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. However, it is possible for a student who is enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certification to receive a Pell Grant.

Do law schools look at parents' income?

Law schools, however, may require parental income information for institutional grants, loans, and scholarships.

Will the federal government pay for law school?

Law students may borrow up to a total of $20,500 in the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program each academic year from the US Department of Education. Interest starts accruing as “simple” interest (it is not compounding while you are in school) once the loan is disbursed.

How not to pay for law school?

The best way to attend law school with no money is to apply for scholarships or make yourself a prime candidate to be offered scholarships. Low-ranking schools tend to give out higher-value scholarships more frequently.

Can I pass the bar without law school?

It's four years of hard work or maybe more, but it could be the right path for you! In California, qualified applicants can take the bar exam without going to law school.

How can I get my LSAT for free?

If you can't afford to pay for the LSAT or to apply to law school, you can apply for a fee waiver from the LSAC. Eligibility is based on your income and there are two tiers of support depending on your need. Learn more about the LSAC Fee Waiver Program. Apply for a fee waiver in your LSAC.org account.

Is being a lawyer worth it financially?

Lawyers have the opportunity to earn a lucrative income. The average annual income for an attorney in the United States is $127,990 per year as of 2021 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor.

What GPA is too low for law school?

What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.

How many people regret going to law school?

Law School Regret by the Numbers

Only 35 percent said law school prepared them well for practicing. Only 20 percent strongly agreed that their law school was worth the cost. Thirty-eight percent said they were struggling financially; 30 percent said they were "suffering"