If you want to become a lawyer, there’s no question that it’s going to cost you — especially if you go to one of the best law schools. According to the American Bar Association, the average law school costs at ABA accredited schools are $21,028 per year for tuition and fees. And that doesn’t include the cost of living. When it comes to paying for law school, most students rely on student loans. Fortunately, it’s possible to avoid taking on student debt. The key is determining whether law school is worth the projected debt by studying employment outcomes, comparing expected salaries in legal specialties of interest and investigating alternative paths to becoming a lawyer.

While you may not be able to avoid the sticker price of attending law school, you can reduce your expenses by securing grants and scholarships. Typically, these are merit-based and based on your UGPA (undergraduate grade point average) and standardized test scores (LSAT or GRE). Law schools must report the percentage of students who receive grants and scholarships as well as the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile grant amounts on their ABA Standard 509 Information Reports, which can be found on each law school’s website.

To pay for tuition, students can apply for federal student loans through the FAFSA. They can also explore private student loans and non-government loan alternatives such as the One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship. Additionally, work-study programs offered by some schools and the federal government help students earn income to cover education expenses. Law Tuition