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

Asked by: Jorge Renner  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (22 votes)

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 to pay for law school if you're poor?

  • Savings. It may be from work done prior to law school or from working over the summer.
  • Assistance from relatives.
  • Scholarships and other financial aid like grants or loans or even a stipend from the school.
  • A combination of sources

Is there a way to go to law school for free?

Many schools give full-ride law school scholarships to students with high LSAT scores. To make yourself a more appealing candidate for these scholarships, you'll want to ensure you spend enough time, effort, and energy on your LSAT test prep.

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 financially worth it to go to law school?

Starting Salaries Can Be High, But So Is Stress

Within five years, your total income could reach $455,000. Overall, however, for the class of 2022, the median salary was $85,000, according to The National Association for Law Placement. Those choosing to work in the public sector generally earn lower salaries.

HOW TO PAY FOR LAW SCHOOL

32 related questions found

How do most people afford 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.

Is law school worth it at 40?

You absolutely can go to law school and be very successful if you're over 40. It's never too late!

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 do I get through law school financially?

Funding Law School Resources
  1. Scholarships. There are literally THOUSANDS of scholarships to help you fund law school. ...
  2. Grants. ...
  3. Fellowships. ...
  4. Law School Financial Aid. ...
  5. Loan repayment assistance program (LRAP) ...
  6. Student loan calculator. ...
  7. Loans.

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 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.

How do you afford to live 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 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.

Can you work while in law school?

Working throughout law school is a great way to not only supplement income but also gain legal experience. For many law students working during law school, the position they maintain is typically a law clerk position that stems from a summer legal opportunity.

How expensive is the LSAT?

What fees are associated with the LSAT? It costs $222 to take the LSAT and receive one free score report. In addition, subscription to the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) is required for application for most law schools. This subscription costs $200 and includes on score report for $45.

What is the most affordable law school?

Cheapest Law Schools in the US
  • 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)

Is law school financially worth it?

Key Takeaways

Law school can be a path to a lucrative career—but it can also lead to significant debts. The average law school graduate debt is $160,000, while the starting annual salary is much less.

How to get a full ride to law school?

How to Secure a Full-Ride Law School Scholarship
  1. Ace the LSAT. To earn a merit-based scholarship, it's helpful to have a sky-high LSAT score. ...
  2. Strengthen Your Resume. ...
  3. Submit a Solid Application. ...
  4. Try Your Hand at Negotiation. ...
  5. Consider Your Options.

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.

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 age is too late for law school?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Patent Attorney Salary

Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.