Will military pay for law school?
Asked by: Dr. Jace Koch | Last update: January 26, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (33 votes)
Yes, the U.S. military will pay for law school for eligible active-duty service members through programs like the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP), which covers tuition, fees, and books for those joining the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, offering full pay and benefits while they study in exchange for a service commitment after graduation. Other avenues include using the GI Bill or exploring loan repayment for existing officers, though direct funding for law school is primarily through FLEP and similar service-specific programs for the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Will the US Army pay for law school?
Service members interested in joining the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) may be eligible for the Army to cover the cost of law school using the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP). Service members continue to serve on active duty and the Army covers the cost of tuition.
Does being in the military help you get into law school?
If articulated strongly in your application (PS, DS, resume), your military service can provide you a significant boost. I would look into Service2School, a free admission consulting service for service members and veterans.
Will the military pay for a lawyer?
The military courts, like civilian courts, do have a public defender system. However, most of the time you will be required to hire your own attorney. In other words, don't rely on the military's public defender system.
Will the military pay for LSAT?
Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits to pay for nationally approved tests, such as: SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) LSAT (Law School Admission Test) GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
Does The JAG Corps Help Pay For Law School? - Law School Prep Hub
What military branch will pay for law school?
If you are selected to participate in FLEP, you'll receive your tuition, fees and a book allowance from the Air Force while continuing to serve on active duty. This means you'll get full pay, allowances and other benefits while you attend law school.
What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Do JAGs get law school paid for?
Does the Air Force JAG Corps pay for law school? The Air Force JAG Corps currently does not offer scholarships to pay for law school. The Air Force, however, offers the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to officers and enlisted members on active duty.
What branch of the military is best for lawyers?
Military Justice: JAGs and Marine JAs represent service members and provide legal and administrative support for courts-martial, which are military courts that handle violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). JAGs and Marine JAs serve as trial lawyers—prosecutors, defense counsel, and victim's counsel.
Is it worth going to law school at 40?
Yes, going to law school at 40 can be very worth it, offering advantages like valuable life experience that enhances studies and career fulfillment, but it requires careful consideration of career goals, financial investment, and time commitment, as older students often find rewarding second careers, leveraging past skills for a new path in law. While you're in the minority, older applicants are common, and their diverse backgrounds enrich the legal field.
How to get the army to pay for law school?
The Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) authorizes the yearly selection of 35 Active Duty Army officers and enlisted Soldiers to obtain a legal education at the Army's expense. Unfunded Legal Education Program (UFLEP) participants remain on active duty while attending law school at their own expense.
What is a jag salary?
A Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer's salary starts around $80,000-$100,000+ annually, including base pay, tax-free housing (BAH) & subsistence allowances, varying by branch, rank (starting as O-2/O-3), and location, with significant increases for promotions and bonuses like student loan repayment, reaching well over $150,000+ in senior ranks. Total compensation combines taxable base pay with non-taxable allowances, plus potential bonuses for retention and specialized skills, making it competitive.
How much does 7 years of law school cost?
Law school typically costs around $200,000 to $300,000+ for the standard three years, but for seven years, you're looking at potentially $450,000 to over $700,000+ total, factoring in three years of J.D. (Juris Doctor) plus potentially an extra LL.M. or part-time/joint degrees, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, with significant variations between public/private schools, scholarships, and location.
What is the $600000 bonus for the Air Force?
The $600,000 bonus in the Air Force is a retention incentive for experienced pilots and rated officers, offering up to $50,000 annually for a 12-year commitment, designed to combat a critical pilot shortage and keep skilled aviators from leaving for the private sector, with specific amounts varying by aircraft and commitment length.
Does Jag pay off student loans?
Becoming a Judge Advocate is personally, professionally, and financially rewarding. In addition to your salary, the JAG Corps offers student loan repayment and other benefits that will help you build your future. You will receive both tangible and intangible benefits not offered by other employers.
Will the military pay for me to become a lawyer?
Enlisted personnel have the opportunity to apply to commission as an officer and attend law school through FLEP. Airmen and Guardians continue to serve on active duty, receive full pay and allowances, and benefits while attending law school. The cost of tuition, fees, and books are paid by the Air Force.
What LSAT score do you need for JAG?
There are additional requirements you must meet to qualify to serve in the Marine Corps "Judge Advocate" Division once you become a Marine Officer, including a 150 or higher on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). There are some waivers available for this requirement for exceptional applicants.
How to get law school paid for free?
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 lowest paid lawyer?
There's no single "minimum" lawyer salary, as it varies wildly from $50,000 in public interest to over $200,000 for first-year associates at Big Law firms, depending heavily on location (big cities pay more), firm size (Big Law pays much more), and specialization (corporate/IP pay more than family law or non-profit work). Entry-level salaries in public service often start around $50k-$70k, while large private firms in major markets can offer $200k+ right out of law school.
Is law going to be replaced by AI?
No, AI won't fully take over law but will fundamentally transform it by automating routine tasks, increasing efficiency, and augmenting lawyers, making tech-savvy lawyers more valuable, while lawyers who don't adapt risk being left behind; AI handles data analysis, contract review, and research, but human judgment, contextual understanding, and complex argumentation remain essential for client counsel and strategic decision-making, shifting the focus to higher-value work and potentially changing billing models.
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.
Did Michelle Obama ever pass a bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
Has Kim Kardashian taken the LSAT?
Kim takes the California Bar Exam's “baby bar” without completing a bachelor's degree or taking the LSAT. Kim continues to balance her legal pursuits with media and business ventures, using her platform for criminal justice reform advocacy.