Law school is an investment, and can be an expensive one. Financing law school is a factor to consider when selecting schools of interest. Tuition (in-state vs. out-of-state), cost of living expenses and other fees should all be evaluated.
Paying for law school is usually done through two mechanisms: Loans and Scholarships/Grants.
Loans: Most law school students finance their education through federal loans, which are calculated based on financial need. Private education loans (from banks or private institutions) are also calculated based indicated need.
Scholarships/Grants: Law schools directly award scholarships or grants based on “merit," which can be based on a variety of elements including LSAT scores, undergraduate GPAs, geography, age, ethnicity, fields of interest, or a combination of criteria. The definition of "merit," and the application process varies by school. Be sure to visit the Navigating Scholarships page on this site.
The best source of information to learn about various financial assistance opportunities? The schools themselves. Don't hesitate to reach out, making sure to talk to someone in the financial aid department.
AccessLex Institute: Lost of fantastic resources focused on financing legal education. Check out the Aspiring Law School Students section for to learn about a scholarship databank, student loan calculator, webinars/workshops, and meeting with a financial aid counselor.
FastWeb: Resources for locating scholarships and other financial aid options.
FinAid: A comprehensive site that explains the various types of resources to finance education (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.)
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Law schools use the FAFSA to gather information that helps determine financial aid awards.
LSAC Fee Waiver Program: Receiving an LSAC fee waiver reduces costs including LSAT registration, CAS registration and individual law school application fees.
Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project: Organized by the National Consumer Law Center, the resource educates about loan repayment options.
US News & World Report: Article outlining various types of college scholarships and tips for obtaining scholarships.