Financial Aid Options

Law school is a major commitment and a significant financial investment. Fortunately, there are affordable and flexible options to help you fund your education. For students attending graduate and professional programs, the term "financial aid" largely refers to federal student loans and scholarships. It is important to understand the different forms of financial aid available and the steps required to apply. 

Federal Student Loans — including Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS 

  • Loans are the principal source of aid available to law students to fund their legal education. 
  • You must either be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to qualify for federal financial aid.
  • All graduate and professional students are considered financially independent of their parents for the purposes of determining federal aid eligibility.
  • Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans do not provide.
  • You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you are interested in receiving federal student loans.
  • The priority deadline to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA is February 9, 2024 
    • Students may still submit the FAFSA after this date

Law School Scholarships — including merit and need-based scholarships

  • Most scholarships are based on merit—defined broadly to include academic achievement as well as a range of other personal accomplishments and experiences—but a number of scholarships also consider an applicant's financial need. 
  • All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and no separate application is required
  • Admitted applicants who would like the Scholarship Committee to also consider their financial need must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile.
    • Parental financial information is required on the CSS Profile for unmarried students who are 28 or younger at the time the application is submitted. Even if your parent(s) will not be contributing financially to your law school education, parental financial information is required. 
    • The priority deadline to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA and the CSS Profile is February 9, 2024
      • Students may still submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile after this date