At the University of Georgia School of Law, we understand the financial realities of getting a law degree and are committed to providing the best return on investment for our students. On this page, you’ll find financial information and resources for:
- Financially Preparing for Law School
- Financial Aid and Assistance
- Student Loan Debt Management (for current students and alumni)
Current Students: Please visit the Law Student Finances Hub on the My Georgia Law Portal for more comprehensive downloadable resources and information.
Financially Preparing for Law School
Prospective and Admitted JD Students
Two important steps on your path to law school are understanding how you will pay for your legal education and the impact of various financial decisions. The following resources will help you navigate your options.
- Tuition and Expenses at UGA Law
- UGA Law Scholarships (*these scholarships are specific to JD applicants.)
- MAX Pre-Law by AccessLex® – the AccessLex institute has created a free, comprehensive toolkit designed exclusively for aspiring law students. Resources include interactive lessons, worksheets, special online presentations, and access to a one-on-one financial coach. Prospective students can access MAX Pre-Law on Ask EDNA! – the Education Network at AccessLex. Registration is free. Some notable MAX Pre-Law resources:
- Paying for Law School: a helpful walkthrough guide
- Student Loan Calculator: with special tools available based on your prospective, current, or graduate status
Prospective and Admitted M.S.L. and LL.M. Students
- LL.M. students should refer to the LL.M. Financial Assistance page to learn about LL.M.-specific resources.
- Students pursuing a Master in the Study of Law (M.S.L.) should refer to the M.S.L.-specific Tuition and Expenses page.
Financial Aid and Assistance
At the University of Georgia, all financial aid is centrally managed by the Office of Student Financial Aid. This includes the distribution and management of federal loans and external scholarships.
Federal Loans
Prospective students should refer to UGA Law's Financial Assistance page for a broad overview of available federal assistance, and familiarize themselves with the process of Applying for Financial Aid. Admitted students should also familiarize themselves with the following resources:
- Interactive instructions for Applying for Federal Student Aid at UGA as a Graduate or Professional Student
- Walkthrough for completing your Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines
- UGA Financial Aid checklist and Budgeting Tool
- The Department of Education's guidance for managing your money while in school
External Scholarships
- The AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank provides a curated database of law school-specific scholarship opportunities
- Recipients of external scholarships are required to report them to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Full instructions for notifying OSFA and how to mail external scholarship checks to UGA can be found HERE.
Student Debt Management
The University of Georgia School of Law is consistently rated one of the top values in legal education. Keeping educational debt under control enables law graduates to pursue an array of professional options.
There are helpful ways to structure debt and manage loans, and support is available to those pursuing careers in public service or managing debt payments on lower salaries. Whether you are a recent alumna/alumnus or a current student, the following resources are available to help inform your debt management strategy:
General Resources
- Department of Education
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- The AccessLex Student Loan Calculator provides tools and advice for law school loans, with sections specifically tailored for prospective students, current students, and graduates.
- Equal Justice Works (EJW) is a legal non-profit assisting lawyers working in the public interest. They have created a variety of Student Debt Resources, including webinars and repayment information. Most of the information is applicable regardless of a practitioner's legal specialty.
- AccessConnex provides current law students and graduates one-on-one financial coaching. AccessLex has a team of Accredited Financial Counselors that are specifically knowledgeable about debt management in the legal profession.
Student Loan Repayment Assistance
- Income-Based Repayment Plans (IBR) for those with Federal Loans
- Equal Justice Works has a comprehensive resource for explaining Income-Based Repayments and the IBR process HERE.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the US Department of Education
- John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program (prosecutors and public defenders)
- Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPS) are another useful tool for debt management.
- What is an LRAP?
- The ABA has compiled a list of State-Based Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
- The University of Georgia School of Law Downs' Loan Repayment Assistance Program
**As the student loan and repayment landscape changes, please refer to the Department of Education's Financial Aid website for the most up-to-date information (found HERE).
AccessLex, a nonprofit organization supporting access to legal education, has put together the AccessLex Student Aid Policy and Action Center, which consolidates current information and potential policy changes in the evolving student loan environment.
Current students should refer to the Law Student Finances Hub for more comprehensive information. However, current students should note that UGA Law’s Career Development Office, Student Affairs, and First Start Program will often host information sessions on funding options, debt management, and loan repayment. Watch e-mail, Law Dawg Dash, and the law school events calendar for announcements about sponsored financial programs.