Admissions > Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition & Financial Aid

Estimated Living Expenses:

These estimated living expenses represent the maximum student budget for nine months and are not applicable to every student. Many students are able to reduce the amount they borrow for living costs considerably. Everyone’s financial situation is different and you should avoid borrowing more than you can comfortably repay.

  • $12,150 – Housing (rent, utilities, phone/internet)
  • $3,600 – Food
  • $1,500 – Books
  • $5,000 – Miscellaneous
  • $720 – Transportation
  • $2,500 – University Health Insurance (*estimated 2023-24 rate). See details at Student Health Services.
  • $ 896 – Yellow Zone 3 Parking Permit (*2022-23 rate). Find many easy alternative transportation options here.

Contact our housing concierge for assistance and high-quality lower-cost options near campus.

Tuition and fees for the 2023-24 academic year:

  • $67,008 – Annual tuition is divided between the fall and spring semesters.
  • $616 – University Health & Wellness Fee (mandatory)
  • $120 – Student Bar Association Fee. All students (LLM, MLS, and JD) will be charged the SBA fee starting FL22.
  • $70 – Legal LAUNCH Week Fee (1L JD Orientation)

There are many resources for students looking for information on financing law school. A good place to start is the Department of Education. For information on budgeting and credit visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

For additional information about student loans visit Federal Student Aid, AccessLex, or the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Please schedule a time with Carrie Burns to discuss your individual borrowing needs.

Tips to Reduce Borrowing

  • Create a budget to identify your monthly spending. Eliminate those expenses that you cannot fund out of pocket and that are not necessary to your success as a student.
  • Only borrow what you need and what you can comfortably repay. Do not be tempted to borrow more even if you qualify for a larger amount than you originally budgeted.
  • Be a responsible borrower! Think about how the amount that you borrow now will affect future finances. Map out your career plan and work backward to your present situation as a student.
  • Make interest-only payments on your student loans while in school. It will lower the overall principal amount of your loans.

*All Washington University students are required to carry health insurance. Full-time graduate students on the Danforth Campus are automatically enrolled in (and billed for) the basic student health insurance plan unless proof of comparable coverage is provided. (International students are not eligible to waive out of the insurance plan.) For details about available plans or waiving options, visit Student Health Services.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year.

Bar Licensure Costs for 3Ls:

3L students may also borrow to cover the costs associated with the bar exam. Please contact Carrie Burns for more information.

Fall 3L Semester – Up to $3,000 for bar prep
Spring 3L Semester – Up to $1,174 for application fees, laptop usage, and hotel

Student Loan Debt Cancellation

On August 24th, 2022, President Biden announced that there would be some student loan debt forgiveness for millions of borrowers. For information on what we know now about the upcoming cancelation visit the below sites. More information will be provided once the guidance is updated.

One-Time Student Loan Debt Relief (studentaid.gov)

What You Need to Know About Student Loan Debt Relief | AccessLex

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL AND REFUND ON TUITION:

Students considering withdrawing from school are encouraged to consult with Elizabeth Walsh, Associate Dean for Students. To withdraw, a student should provide written notification to the Registrar’s and Financial Aid Offices and obtain written approval from Dean Elizabeth Walsh. Students who withdraw after a school term is underway will ordinarily receive a tuition refund based on the date they notify Dean Walsh in writing of their intent to withdraw:

Within 1st week of classes ……………………………………100%
Within 2nd week of classes……………………………………..80%
Within 3rd or 4th week of classes………………………..……..60%
After 4th week & before end of the 8th week…………………..40%

There is no refund after the eight week of the semester except for withdrawals for reasons of health. Such reasons must be certified or verified by Student Health Services, in which case the law school will make a pro rata refund of tuition if notice of withdrawal is received before the end of the twelfth week of the semester.

FAFSA

To apply for loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

It takes around ten days for the school to receive the FAFSA report. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all necessary documents and meet required deadlines.

The FAFSA code for Washington University School of Law is 002520.

If you have any questions about financial aid contact Carrie Burns.