In 2020, the American Bar Association reported that the average law school student owed $165,000 of debt after graduation.
While going to law school is a significant financial investment and timely affair, there are ways to finance your law school tuition without taking out a student loan or paying out of pocket.
If you meet the threshold for financial need, grants are a great way to get free money to pay for your law school tuition.
What is the Difference Between a Grant and a Scholarship?
While both grants and scholarships are types of gift aid, scholarships are typically awarded based on merit while grants are typically issued based on financial need.
Where Can You Find Law School Grants?
Federal Grants
There are four kinds of federal grants:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants
You cannot receive any of these grants to pay for law school.
Do Pell Grants Apply to Law School?
No, you cannot pay for your law school tuition with a Pell Grant. Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who do not have a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. However, it is possible for a student who is enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certification to receive a Pell Grant.
Institutional Grants
Institutional grants are a form of gift aid offered by the institution you plan to attend.
A majority of law schools issue institutional grants if the student demonstrates financial need through their FAFSA application. Other institutions issue grants based on a combination of financial need and other factors such as residency status.
PennState’s Dickinson Law School has a robust grant program for admitted students. All Pennsylvania residents admitted to Dickinson Law before April 15 will automatically receive a free $20,000 tuition grant renewed each year for a total tuition savings of $60,000. Eligible applicants admitted after April 15 will receive the Commonwealth Scholars Grant as funds remain available.
Institutions will usually have their own separate applications or online forms for grants that can be found on their website or by contacting the financial aid office.
Private Grants
Like the name might imply, private grants are financed by private institutions that are not federal, state-wide, or institutional.
Law school grants and law school scholarships are interchangeable in the private sector, given that most private organizations will ask you to provide your transcript along with your application (which usually consists of essays, general information, and your FAFSA application).
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and the American Bar Association (ABA) are distinguished private organizations that provide financial aid for prospective students. LSAC’s grant programs range from pipeline grants, grants for underrepresented populations, and outreach grants. ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund is offered to first-year law students who are racial or ethnic minorities.
CollegeScholarships.org and CollegeGrants.org are also great search engines to find law school grants.
The latest rates from Sparrow’s partners
If you want to skip pre-qualification and apply directly with a lender, you can do so by clicking Apply below.
Closing Thoughts from the Nest
While pursuing a legal career is a timely and financially significant investment, it is definitely worthwhile.
Before and while you are applying, make sure to do your research on each prospective school’s financial aid programs, stay on track with applying to grants and scholarships, and discuss the specifics of your financial aid situation with the financial aid office at the law schools you are hoping to attend.
Even if you don’t get as much external and internal aid as desired, it’s important to note that law school graduates who plan to pursue public service jobs may be eligible for federal and school loan forgiveness programs.
There are many financial resources available for you to pursue a legal career, and applying for private, institutional, and federal grants are a great way to receive free money for law school.