If you’re considering different ways to cover the costs of law school, explore the option of law school loans. Law school loans can help fill the gaps of law school expenses, whether it’s to pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books, or other costs.
Understand all the costs of law school
- LSAT fee: $139 (late registrants pay an additional $68)
- Law school application fees vary by school; check with the schools you are planning on applying to.
- LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS) subscription fee: $124
- Bar exam expenses vary (registration, course review, hotel, and transportation)
- Room, board, and other living expenses (including health care, personal expenses, insurance, transportation and more)will vary depending on your location. (Student budgets are adjusted to accommodate for local costs.)
- Book costs vary by school and curriculum.
- Once you pass the bar, remember that you will have to pay dues to become a member of the bar in the state in which you intend to practice. These dues vary by state.
Paying for law school: Types of financial aid
- Grants*
- Scholarships*
- Fellowships
- Assistantships
- Co-ops
- Work-Study
- Federal and private student loans
*Grants and scholarships are less available at the graduate program level than they are at the undergraduate level. Gift aid represented 27% of financial aid used to pay for graduate education in academic year 2010-11 compared to 51% of undergraduate financial aid while loans represented 61% of graduate financial aid compared with 42% of undergraduate aid.
Source: College Board, Trends in Student Aid 2011
Federal and private law school loans
Federal student loans are often the least expensive way to borrow for education. For students who still need funds after they have maximized financial aid and explore federal loans, Sallie Mae offers an ideal solution to bridge the funding gap.
The innovative Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan is a private loan that features three repayment options designed to help you achieve your goals and balance your budget.
