Funding your law degree sets you on the path to becoming a lawyer.
Being accepted to law school is a happy milestone, but finding the funds to pay for it can be overwhelming. To get a handle on pay for legal education, a prospective law student should construct a workable budget, control living expenses and look for financial assistance with tuition costs.
Instructions
1. Research the cost of law schools. Examine tuition and book costs. Look at alternative schools; if you find one with lower tuition, make sure it is approved by the American Bar Association. Contact the law school for a book list. Ask if books can be brought online to save money. Ask senior law students if they have books you can buy at a discount.
2. Check the cost of living in the law school area. Look for suitable accommodations that are affordable and close to the school. Consider rooming with fellow law students. Check the student association for listings of apartments, condos and houses. Ask relatives or friends to rent you a room in their house.
3. Create a monthly budget. Identify your major expenses and keep them low. For example, determine your monthly costs for tuition, housing, food and miscellaneous expenses. Commit to finding ways to save money: Eat at home, subscribe to an online movie site, carpool or walk to school. Save money to build an emergency fund.
4. Apply for grants, scholarships, fellowships and work-study grants. Some states offer need-based grants to graduate students. Check with your school's financial aid office to find scholarship and fellowship programs. Work-study programs allow students to work part time while seeking their degree.
5. Find a flexible part-time job, such as law clerk, paralegal or customer service representative. Try to find a job that is related to the legal profession. Finding a part-time job will enable you to build your savings, pay tuition costs and build an emergency fund.
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