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Going to law school is costly, both in terms of tuition and your time, however, it is an investment in yourself that can and will pay off in many ways. Of course tuitions vary by school and cost of living varies by region. For classes entering in 2005, a University such as Wayne State University Law School cost about $8,000 per year in tuition, and University of Michigan is about $30,000 for tuition (in state) and $35,000 out of state. Michigan State University College of Law (formerly DCL) has a price tag of about $24,000 in tuition. However, do not despair, in all cases, there are many other resources to help make it more affordable. Although you will likely have loans, you will also have a career that will help you be in a position to repay them. Also look carefully at financial aid pages for the schools you are interested in. You will see that in each case there are resources out there and much information will be available online or with a few phone calls.

Loans

There are many options that are not need based and do not count parental assets for contribution for graduate school. First, look at the Federal Stafford loan program. The loans have varying (and relatively low) interest rates and repayment is deferrable while in law school and for 6-9 months afterwards. For graduate study in 2005 you are eligible for about $15,000 per year for your tuition. Perkins loans are need based and have attractive repayment terms, although there is only about $3000 per year available. There are also private lenders, these loans will generally be at a higher rate of interest than the Stafford or Perkins Loans, but the lenders will also defer payments while you are in school. For more information about all of these programs look to the Financial Aid Information Page.

Internal and External Support and Scholarships

Internal Support

Many schools offer tuition support to students. You will find out about programs you are eligible for from the schools web page. For example, Wayne State University Law School has a program which gives substantial tuition support to students with certain grades and test scores, Michigan State University College of Law has a similar program. You will need to look at schools of interest to you to see what programs are you can qualify for.

External Scholarships and Writing Competitions

There are also many scholarships available from a range of legal and local bar associations. The program requirements vary, they range from offers of support to a person who wants to work in domestic violence to offers of support to a person who went to high school in Grand Rapids, and everthing in betweeen. I have noticed that Michigan State University College of law has a fairly comprehensive collection of information about scholarships and writing competitions that are available to prospective law students (applying to MSU and elsewhere).

Scholarships

Writing Competitions

Links to Outside Resources Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid FastWeb Financial Aid Information Page Options for Foreign Students This site provides information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States.

Links to Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Michigan Law Schools Michigan State University College of Law University of Michigan Law School Wayne State University Law School Ave Maria School of Law Thomas M. Cooley Law School