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Financial Services

There are many resources to assist you in financing your Saint Louis University legal education, including scholarships, loans and work opportunities.

Financial aid award letters for new SLU LAW students are mailed beginning on March 1 of each year. Although a FAFSA is not required to receive merit-based aid from SLU, you must complete that application if you seek eligibility for federal aid programs like federal direct loans or federal work-study. Our school code is 002506. SLU does not require parent information on your FAFSA.

Learn more about your financial options here on our site, and/or schedule an appointment to discuss your needs.

Getting Started

We understand that financing your education is critical to obtaining your law degree. After you review the cost of attendance, follow the tips below to maximize your financial resources:

  1. Apply for scholarships. These come in two forms: institutional and private. The Office of Admission awards institutional scholarships based on merit. If you did not receive a scholarship from the Office of Admission, the dean of the School of Law has developed the Dean's Honor Scholarship, to which you can apply after completing your first year of law school.
  2. Maximize employer tuition benefits. Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces may utilize their veterans benefits at SLU. Full-time SLU employees also receive up to 18 hours of tuition remission per academic year. Other employers in the St. Louis area may also reimburse tuition expenses, so ask your employer's benefits specialist to determine eligibility criteria.
  3. Consider income sources. If you attend full-time, we encourage you to focus on school during your first year but know that income opportunities exist while you’re in law school. Federal work-study jobs may provide you with an hourly rate of pay and a bi-weekly paycheck. Other income sources unique to law students could include internships and faculty research fellowships. Although income may not cover all of your law school expenses, it can go a long way to paying for your books or groceries.
  4. Review your loan eligibility. Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal student loans. Include our school code 002506 on your application. Generally, law students borrow through the federal student aid loan programs. Law students can receive no more than $20,500 annually in Direct Unsubsidized loans. If no adverse credit history exists, the student may also borrow Direct PLUS loan funds. The Direct PLUS loan may be borrowed up to the cost of attendance less any scholarship and Direct Unsubsidized loan. Learn more.
  5. Check your credit report. Visit annualcreditreport.com for a free copy of your report from each of the three credit bureaus. Review each report to determine if any credit issues exist and, if so, resolve them before you enter law school. Adverse credit affects your ability to borrow a student loan. Additionally, adverse credit could prevent you from obtaining your professional license in the long term.
  6. Reduce expenses wherever possible. Start by tracking your expenses and making a spending plan. Using free or low-cost software to track your finances can save you time in this endeavor. Also, utilize student discounts. For example, check out these computer hardware and software discounts for SLU students.
  7. Ask questions. Visit Jessica Seavers, assistant director of Student Financial Services and Financial Education, in Scott Hall, Room 1008I, call 314-977-3369, or email jessica.seavers@slu.edu.

Resources

  • SLU's Online Financial Education Center
    Select "Graduate/Professional" to review resources on student loans and income taxes.

  • AccessLex's Law Student Financial Resources
    Find resources on student loans, credit and organizations to help aspiring lawyers.

  • Financial Fitness Workshops
    Money management is a lifelong learning process and is especially important to understand in law school. The SLU LAW Offices of Student Financial Services and Career Services host 45-minute sessions throughout the academic year that aim to help students become more financially capable. Sessions address financial topics important to law students like budgeting, credit, investing, student loan repayment, loan forgiveness and more.