How can I financially support myself in law school?
Asked by: Arlo Bartell | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (60 votes)
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 to financially plan for law school?
Saving money in preparation for law school is a great idea. However, deliberately over-borrowing isn't the way to do it. While it might seem like a fine way to give yourself a financial cushion, it's better to plan your budget carefully (including your summer expenses) and borrow just enough to cover your needs.
How can people afford law school?
- Loans (Grad Plus loans unless you have a large enough scholarship to only need Stafford loans)
- Scholarship + Stipend (if you're a top applicant, some schools will give you a full ride and a living stipend).
- Savings (if they worked pre law school).
- OPM (other people's money, i.e., rich parents or family)
How do I make money during law school?
- Researcher for a professor (though this usually requires you to wait until that professor knows you).
- LexisNexis/Westlaw rep (help other students with their research).
- Teach the LSAT.
- On-campus jobs (there are often some available if you ask).
- Part-time job off-campus somewhere.
What is the average debt for law school students?
The average law student graduates with $130,000 in student loan debt, according to the American Bar Association (ABA). Additionally, many new lawyers end up with lower annual incomes than their total loan balances, which can make it difficult to repay the debt.
How to Study in Law School
How do you survive financially in law school?
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.
What is the failure rate for law school?
The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.
How to pay for law school if you're poor?
You can borrow up to the remaining cost of attendance at your law school, minus other aid you've received. You can apply for all federal student loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
What does the average person pay for law school?
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.
How to lower the cost of law school?
Rather than choosing a top-ranking law school, consider attending one that is lower-ranking and cheaper! If you have a higher GPA and LSAT score than their requirements, you're much more likely to receive full-ride tuition from these lower-ranking schools.
Does FAFSA pay for law school?
While FAFSA can provide you access to various federal student aid programs, getting full financial aid only through FAFSA is rare. Many law schools also offer scholarships and institutional aid, so it's advisable to explore multiple funding sources to cover the cost of law school.
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.
What is the most affordable law school?
- University of the District of Columbia - $12,838 (tuition)
- University of North Dakota - $13,023 (tuition)/$8,974 (living expenses)
- Brigham Young University - $13,060 (tuition)/$12,720 (living expenses)
- University of Montana - $13,177 (tuition)/$12,480 (living expenses)
What are the living expenses for law students?
The average total cost of tuition alone for law school is $151,072, or $50,357 per year. Living expenses on average total out at $79,391, or $24,464 per year.
What are Tier 3 law schools?
Tier 3 Law schools are generally all of the other law schools that USNews takes the effort to individually rank. These tend to change year over year quite a bit. The best way to determine an actual list is to look at the USNews rankings for any law school that is ranked better than the bottom mass grouping.
Is it easy to pay off law school debt?
It takes discipline, patience and a strict budget. Most important, it takes a plan. “Graduating with six figures of debt isn't easy,” according to the website Student Loan Hero. “With the average amount of law school debt coming in at more than $139,000, it's the second-most expensive graduate degree out there.
What LSAT score do I need for a full scholarship?
What LSAT Score Do I Need for a Full Scholarship? It depends on what type of scholarship you're hoping to be granted. Needs-based scholarships don't require a high LSAT score. However, to be considered for a merit-based scholarship, it's wise to have a score close to 170.
What salary makes law school worth it?
Starting Salaries for Law School Graduates
Among the 130 ranked law schools that reported the median private sector salary for their 2022 classes, the overall median was $89,250 and the range was $52,000 to $215,000. Nine schools reported salaries above $202,000.
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.
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.
How do you pay for life while in law school?
Loans and scholarships are the only way to get money while you're in law school. Lots of law students will hold a job of some kind while they are in school. The key to having a job while in law school is to find one that is high-pay/low-hour. Working for your school is often a great option.
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 hardest year in 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.
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.
Is law worth it in 2024?
Ultimately it boils down to what you want to do and why. Law is extremely worth it for some people for a range of reasons. Other times it isn't worth it at all. If you just want a quick paycheck and aren't actively interested in law specifically then do some research and decide if nursing or something else is better.