Grants for Law School: How and Where to Apply

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Abigail Eun
Abigail Eun
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Abigail Eun is a freelance writer and personal finance expert. Through diligent research and continuous learning, she has honed her knowledge in budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Abigail is passionate about helping people get their finances in order. She believes that everyone should have access to the information they need to make sound financial decisions. Her goal is to provide clear and concise information that is easy to understand.

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Daniel Kahn
Daniel Kahn
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Daniel is the co-founder and COO at Sparrow. Daniel is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company, working closely with other members of the executive team to develop and implement strategies to support the growth and success of the company.
Daniel was a 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 lister in the Education category.  Daniel was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and graduated from Duke University in 2020.
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Camden Ford
Camden Ford
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Camden leads Sparrow’s business operations – everything from product management to business analytics. After graduating Cum Laude from Duke University where he studied Civil Engineering, Camden worked as a Consultant for A.T. Kearney where he worked in their Strategic Operations practice. With a strong background in analytics, Camden strives to deliver data-driven conclusions and insights.

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Updated
February 2, 2024
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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.

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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.

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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.

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