Financial Aid for Law School
The law school’s financial aid office will review your application and calculate your eligibility for the various forms of financial aid from all sources. It is important to review carefully your package and to understand the terms and conditions of all aid offered to you.
Your financial need is the difference between your resources and the total cost of attendance. Your unmet financial need is determined by subtracting the amount you are able to contribute toward your legal education, as well as any scholarships you receive, from the total cost of attendance. The budget used for determining need includes tuition, books and supplies, as well as living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses. The Student Expense Budget is set by the law school and will vary by school. Consumer debt is not included in your Student Expense Budget and should be paid before you attend law school.
If your circumstances change after you complete and file your financial aid forms, notify the financial aid office so that your need analysis may be revised.
Special Considerations
- Independent/Dependent Status. All graduate and professional school students are considered independent for the purposes of determining federal aid eligibility. Law schools, however, may require parental income information for institutional grants, loans, and scholarships. You should be aware that the law schools have specific guidelines regarding independent status for the allocation of institutional funds. These guidelines will vary by school.
- Home Equity. The equity in a home is not considered an asset in need-analysis calculations used to determine financial aid eligibility for federal aid, but it may be used in calculating eligibility for institutional aid.
The law school financial aid office will send you a letter explaining your financial aid eligibility. You may be eligible for several different types of aid, some or all of which may be available in combination to bring the cost of attending law school within reach. The amount of aid you receive in each category will depend on your own resources and the financial aid policy and resources of each law school.
Some schools award merit money shortly after admission, while others require separate forms. Some schools award need-based institutional aid. Check with each school for required forms. Apply early for all aid from law schools.
