If you’ve heard about options for free law school, most of the time this refers to free tuition. But before you start submitting applications, there are some conditions that may apply. We’ve done the research to give you a head start on making a wise choice.
Attending Law School
If you’re planning on attending law school, you’ll not only want a strong LSAT score, but a solid gameplan on finding schools that fit your area of legal focus along with the means to cover your expenses.
Cost of Tuition
The average cost of law school tuition is just over $46,000 per year, according to Education Data Initiative. On top of that, living expenses averaged $26,464 during the 2024-25 academic year. When you find law school programs that advertise free tuition, be aware that in most cases this only includes tuition and fees. Living expenses are typically not covered.
Law School Application: Tips for Prospective Law Students
Today, there is a specialized marketplace of law school application prep services and consultants who can help strengthen your submissions and increase your likelihood of getting accepted. But if you choose a more individual approach, here are some free resources that can help you prepare. These companies offer help with everything from applying to law school to speaking with an accredited financial counselor.
LSAT Prep
There are several resources that can help you prepare for the LSAT. Some are free and others charge a fee, around $120. One of the most popular is the official LSAT Prep® and LawHub Advantage program.
Law Schools Offering Full Tuition Scholarships
The following are examples of law schools offering free tuition or tuition scholarships. This is not an exhaustive list.
Boston University School of Law
If you are accepted into Boston University’s Distinguished Scholar Binding Early Decision program, you’ll receive a scholarship that covers full tuition and required fees. BU also has a Dean’s Scholar program that covers full tuition for students with high academic achievements.
Duke University School of Law
Duke Law provides scholarships that cover three academic years for incoming JD students. Scholarships are based on either merit or a combination of merit and financial need. Assuming you remain in good academic standing, your scholarship is guaranteed for three years.
Harvard Law School
Thanks to a new Opportunity Fund that will begin in 2027, incoming JD students at Harvard Law can qualify for a full tuition scholarship. The school will review your circumstances, including financial need, when determining eligibility. You can sign up for the school’s weekly newsletter to stay notified regarding the initiative.
NYU School of Law
All JSD (Doctor of the Science of the Law) students who live in New York City and are admitted to NYU Law School will receive a scholarship to cover tuition and fees, plus a stipend. This gift aid covers all four years of the program if satisfactory academic progress is maintained. NYU School of Law has implemented free tuition to help advance academic research and teaching within the legal profession.
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Law
UCLA Law currently offers three separate full-tuition scholarships to incoming JD students. The scholarships cover three academic years and are based on merit, financial need, or interest in a legal specialty such as Native American law.
University of Chicago Law School
Through its Rubinstein Scholars Program, select students can receive a scholarship to cover three years of full tuition at University of Chicago Law School. The school also awards a limited number of scholarships to dual degree students enrolled in a JD/PhD program.
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
Almost all incoming students at USC Gould School of Law receive scholarships to help cover tuition costs. Amounts range from $10,000 to full tuition. And there is no minimum GPA.
Yale Law School
For students with significant financial need, Yale awards full tuition scholarships through the Robert Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program. If your family’s income is up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines—and the assets are below $150,000—the scholarship is automatic and covers the cost of tuition, fees, and health insurance.
Student Financial Services
You can always contact student financial services (or the financial aid office) on campus to learn about options to help you pay for law school.
Outside Scholarships and Grants
In addition to school-based financial aid, you may qualify for outside scholarships and grants. Here are some resources to help you get started:
- American Bar Association Legal Opportunity Scholarship
- AcessLex Law School Scholarship Databank
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
- Donald W. Banner Diversity Scholarship for Law Students
- MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
- Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship
Public or Private? Which Type of Law School to Choose
While cost of attendance and prestige are factors when choosing between a public or private law school, things like personal fit and career alignment are additional considerations for students. You’ll want to think about class sizes, the type of resources the law school can provide, and networking opportunities.
Legal Education Resources
There are plenty of legal education resources you can tap into before you even step foot on campus. These may come in handy as you get ready to apply to law school. Or they may help during your studies…or even as you prepare for the bar.
- The American Bar Association offers a wealth of legal education resources for law students and practicing attorneys. The information they provide includes help with finding a law school, bar admissions, and employment statistics.
- Barbri offers tools, webinars, and courses that tackle everything from law school prep to bar exam prep. They even have tools for those interested in the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE).
- There is a list of free legal research resources (including databases) on Harvard University’s website. Their guide includes federal, constitutional and legislative sources. It also includes case law, journals, and dissertations.
Legal Careers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for those employed in legal careers was $151,160 in 2024. Attorneys’ salaries vary greatly based on legal specialty, public vs private practice, etc.
Public Sector
Public sector jobs will be at the government or state/local level. The job opportunities that exist include:
- Public Defender
- District Attorney
- State Attorney
- Staff Attorney for courts
- General Counsel for federal agencies
Public Interest
Public interest jobs often focus on social good or social causes. This can include community advocacy, civil rights, health law, environmental law, etc. Typically, attorneys in the public interest category work for the following types of agencies:
- Non-profits
- Policy centers or advocacy groups
- Public interest law firms
