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

Asked by: Robert Gutmann  |  Last update: December 15, 2025
Score: 5/5 (68 votes)

Position Yourself for Scholarships
  • Earn solid credentials and apply where you stand out.
  • Ensure the program fits your career path.
  • Look for institutional scholarships rewarding other attributes.
  • Explore outside scholarships and fellowships.
  • Explore post-graduation loan assistance.
  • Apply to a public law school.

What if I can't afford law school?

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.

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 30 too old for law school?

The pursuit of a law degree has no age limit. Whether you're considering a career change later in life or you've always had a lingering interest in the law but circumstances led you down a different path initially, it's never too late to pursue a law degree.

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

25 related questions found

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!

What is the failure rate for law school?

The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.

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.

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.

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 to pay for law school if you're poor?

  1. Work a high paying job + Do a part-time JD.
  2. Have a very high LSAT score to get at least 1/2 scholarship.
  3. Federal student loan and pray for loan forgiveness.

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 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.

How do people afford rent 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.

What is the lowest GPA a law school will accept?

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.

Has anyone been a lawyer without going to law school?

Vermont, Washington, California, and Virginia all allow people to become lawyers by “reading the law,” which, simply put, means studying and apprenticing in the office of a practicing attorney or judge.

What year is the hardest 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.

Can I do law school online?

Currently, several online and hybrid J.D. programs are offered by ABA-approved law schools via distance education programs under a substantive change/variance granted by the Council. Earning a J.D. degree in a distance education program may limit your ability to sit for the bar in some states.

Is law school hard or just a lot of work?

Being prepared to work hard – Law school classes are part of a demanding program, and you need to be prepared to be a good student and put in the time and effort to succeed. That work includes doing all of the assigned reading, avoiding low grades, and preparing well for final exams.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Which is harder, CPA or MCAT?

The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.

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.

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"

How hard is law school realistically?

Law school is very hard—harder than college or university. This is due to a heavy course load, a high-stress environment, and difficult course material. But completing law school is not impossible; over 40,000 law students make it to graduation each year.