Financial Aid Resources for J.D. Students

At UCLA Law, we believe a legal education should be accessible to any student with the talent and drive to be admitted to our school. Each year, our team of dedicated administrators develops comprehensive financial aid packages to assist more than 900 students with diverse needs and backgrounds.

We help students finance a premier legal education through a combination of grants, fellowships, scholarships and an array of loan options. Nearly 90 percent of J.D. candidates benefit from some type of financial assistance; almost 82 percent receive gift aid that does not need to be repaid. The school also offers a limited number of full-tuition scholarships for qualified students.

Our administrators are committed to helping admitted and prospective students explore resources and create packages tailored to their unique requirements.

Scholarships

  • Full Tuition Scholarships

    The UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program is a binding early-decision program providing full tuition for three years to exceptionally qualified students ready to commit to UCLA Law. The UCLA Law Achievement Fellowship is non-binding and provides full tuition for three years to high-achieving students who have overcome significant personal, educational or socio-economic hardships.

    Read more.

  • Dean's Scholarships

    All admitted students are considered for a Dean’s Scholarship. In determining the scholarship amount, both merit and financial need can be considered. Dean’s Scholarships may be awarded for all three years of the J.D. program and there is no need to reapply after your 1L year. No new applications are accepted in the 2L and 3L years.

    Instructions for students entering their 1L year in Fall 2024 (students currently enrolled at UCLA School of Law should visit MyLaw):

    Merit Component
    Before we can determine your eligibility for merit, all admitted students must complete the Dean’s Scholarship Consideration Form, provided to you by the UCLA Law Admission’s Office. No additional application is needed for merit consideration.

    Need Component
    UCLA Law has a generous need component, providing significant assistance to domestic students with financial need. Each case is individually considered, but a student who qualifies for a Dean’s Scholarship, based on both merit and need, will generally receive a larger total gift award. If you are unsure whether you will qualify for a need award, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you believe you will also qualify for a merit award.

    Our awarding process for need-based scholarships takes into account both students' and their parents' financial resources. In order to help the law school’s Financial Aid Office estimate financial need, students must complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Application, and the Law School Financial Need Application, which collects data about the family profile. The variables considered include family size, assets and income, among other things.

    Application Instructions:

    1. Complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Application (for undocumented AB540 eligible students). UCLA School Code is 001315.  If you have exceptional personal circumstances and are unable to submit either of the two applications, you may email our office. 
      Note: UCLA requires asset information be included on the FAFSA.
    2. Determine if you must provide your parents’ information on the Need Application (see criteria below).
    3. Complete the Law School Financial Need Application when it becomes available in mid-January.
    • As part of the Need Application, admitted students and/or their parents are required to upload their 2022 Tax Return Transcripts (foreign transcripts/tax returns cannot be evaluated). In the rare case when a tax return transcript is not available, the school may accept a signed copy of the 2022 Federal Tax Return along with Schedules 1, 2 and 3, if applicable. Hard copies and emailed copies of tax documents will not be accepted. Please note that all Social Security Numbers (SSN) and any account information must be redacted on each tax transcript/tax return submitted.
       
    • Admitted students who had U.S. income in 2022 but did not file a U.S. federal tax return must note this on the FAFSA. In addition, students who did not file a 2022 U.S. federal tax return will need to upload a self-certified statement of non-filing to their UCLA Need Application. 
       
    • Parents who did not file a 2022 U.S. federal tax return must upload an official IRS verification of non-filing. This verification documentation may be requested from the IRS by submitting form 4506-T
       
    • Even though your Social Security Number is not required on the admission application, the school will not receive your FAFSA and thus will be unable to determine your need eligibility unless you provide us with your SSN. If you have omitted the SSN from your admission application, please contact the UCLA Law Admissions Office at (310) 825-2080 to add it to your application.

    The determination of your financial-need award will only be possible once you have been admitted, and both the FAFSA and the Law School Need Application have been completed.
     

    Criteria for determining submission of parent information on the UCLA Law School Need Application:

    Students must provide their parents' information on the Law School Need Application unless the student:

    • will be 29 years of age or older by December 31 of the academic year for which he/she is applying
    • can provide documentation that no one has claimed him/her on their tax returns for the last seven years
    • has a dependent other than a spouse (i.e., a child) and provides more than 50% to their support
    • is a veteran
    • was considered as an independent by his/her undergraduate institution through dependency override, and not based on age or marital status. (Documentation required.)

    Students who do not fit the above criteria and do not provide parents' information on the Need Application or do not upload the required tax documents will not be considered for a need award.

    The FAFSA and the Need application should be submitted as early as possible after January 1.

  • Donor-Funded Scholarships

    UCLA Law's donor-supported program consists of numerous endowments and scholarships funded by alumni and friends of the school, as well as law firms in our community. Consideration for student eligibility for these scholarships will take place during the admission process.

    Tax and Business Law Scholarships (TABLS)

    UCLA Law and the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy (LMI) annually award four scholarships to students who are interested in tax and business law and policy. These scholarships are part of LMI’s Tax and Business Law Scholarship (“TABLS”) Program. The Program is led by Jim Barrall ’75, a Senior Fellow in Residence at LMI and a retired partner of Latham & Watkins LLP.

    Read more

    A. Barry Cappello Scholarship in Trial Advocacy

    Cappello Scholarships, sponsored by program namesake A. Barry Cappello, provide financial awards to admitted students with a history of success and interest in trial advocacy. The Irving H. Green Prize, named for the successful Los Angeles trial lawyer, is awarded annually to the graduating students who have demonstrated excellence in trial advocacy.  This financial support is another way that UCLA’s commitment to trial advocacy is virtually unique among top-tier law schools. 

    For more information, contact Justin Bernstein, Director of A. Barry Cappello Program in Trial Advocacy.

    Chris Cornell Memorial Human Rights Scholarship

    This scholarship is designed for students who have a background in and demonstrated commitment to international human rights. Students who express an interest in human rights law on their application will be automatically considered for this award. For more information, email Associate Director of Admissions Danae McElroy at mcelroy@law.ucla.edu.

  • Native American Opportunity Plan

    Starting in fall 2022, the University of California Native American Opportunity Plan ensures that in-state systemwide mandatory tuition and fees are fully covered for California residents who are members of federally recognized Native American, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this award, students must meet all of the following criteria:

    1. Newly admitted or a current law school student
    2. California resident
    3. Enrolled member in a federally recognized Native American, American Indian and/or Alaska Native tribe
    4. Enrolled in a state-supported UC degree program (i.e., students in self-supporting and certificate programs do not qualify)

    If you are a member of a tribe that is not federally recognized, additional support may be available through external organization, including the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Scholarship Fund.

    Documentation Requirements

    Students should file a FAFSA, but no additional application is required.

    Students who are potentially eligible must submit tribal enrollment documentation from their federally recognized tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).  All documents must be uploaded to www.my.ucla.edu under the ‘Documents’ section of ‘Finances and Jobs.”  Documentation may include any of the following:

    • Certification of tribal enrollment on tribal letterhead
    • Enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or official signature of a tribal leader
    • Certification of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information
    • Tribal identification card with an enrollment number

    Students must also submit tribal contact information (address, phone, email) if it is not evident on submitted documentation.

    NAOP Award Amount

    For eligible students, Native American Opportunity Plan will fully cover UC systemwide tuition ($12,264) and Student Services Fees ($1,206).  The maximum NAOP award for the 2023-24 academic year is $13,470.

    If you are already receiving law school gift aid (merit, need, and/or a donor-based scholarship, GOFP) at least in the amount of the NAOP award, then the Native American Opportunity Plan promise has been satisfied.  However, if your law school gift aid does not fully cover UC systemwide fees and Student Services Fees, your Native American Opportunity Plan will cover the difference with additional funding.

    Examples:

    1. Your law school gift aid is $15,000.  The Native American Opportunity Plan promise has been satisfied as your gift aid is greater than the NAOP award.
    2. Your law school gift aid is $10,000.  You would receive an additional aid amount of $3,470 under the Native American Opportunity Plan.
  • External Scholarships

    UCLA School of Law receives notices and information about various scholarships, fellowships and writing competitions sponsored by foundations, alumni associations, bar associations, etc. The Financial Aid Office will post applicable notices on this page or our intranet site as received.   Please note that the posting of these scholarships does not imply endorsement of any organization and/or scholarship.

    Outside scholarship checks should be sent to UCLA’s Payment Solutions and Compliance office.  The checks should be made out to the UC Regents and contain the student’s name and University ID on the check/accompanying paperwork.  The address is:

    UCLA Payment Solutions & Compliance
    Box 957089, 1125 Murphy Hall
    405 Hilgard Avenue
    Los Angeles, CA 90095-7089 

    Deadline: March 18, 2023
    ANDREW CORES FAMILY LAW GROUP FUTURE LAWYERS SCHOLARSHIP
    Having dedicated our lives to the legal profession, the attorneys with Andrew Cores Family Law Group are excited to assist law students with expenses related to their college education. Each semester, the firm is offering an aspiring or current law student the opportunity to win $2,000 through this scholarship opportunity.

    Deadline: April 1, 2024
    FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
    The journey of becoming the first person in your family to attend university is often filled with intimidating challenges and difficult circumstances. Attorney Kadzai hopes to alleviate some of the stress and difficulty of this journey by offering financial assistance to students. The first generation college student scholarship provides a college student with $2,500.

    Deadline: April 1, 2024
    HON. MIKIO UCHIYAMA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
    The Central California Asian Pacific American Bar Association (CCAPABA) is excited to award $1,500 scholarships to two current law students. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate a commitment to helping and working with the Asian American Pacific community. Scholarship recipients will be honored at CAPABA’s annual banquet to be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Fresno, CA (venue to be determined). Application

    Deadline: April 7, 2024
    SAMVID SCHOLARSHIP
    Samvid Scholars empowers future leaders and changemakers through leadership development programming and community-building events. While our Scholars’ graduate programs span disciplines and institutions, what unites them is their track record of, and ongoing commitment to, driving transformative change for society. Our programming enables Scholars to fulfill their extraordinary potential by providing them with the understanding, skills, and support to bring their purpose to life – and, in time, to lead change at scale. Scholars receive up to $50K for tuition and fees each year for two years of study in an eligible graduate program. Our ambition is to reduce the financial burden of graduate education, which can shape career and life choices.

    Deadline: April 14, 2024
    THE LMJ SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    The LMJ Scholarship is a diversity pipeline program that seeks to nurture the academic and professional careers of outstanding diverse law students. The LMJ Scholarship program grants scholarships of $10,000 to students for their first year of law school.

    Deadline: April 19, 2024
    ROBERT MASUR FELLOWSHIP IN CIVIL LIBERTIES
    The fellowship is open to first-year law students who intend to carry out significant activities during the summer (in between their first and second year) in the areas of civil rights and/or civil liberties. Each fellowship comes with a $2,000 stipend.

    Deadline: April 30, 2024
    HON. RUTH BADER GINSBURG SCHOLARSHIP
    The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) Foundation is pleased to offer a $5,000 tuition scholarships to law students who plan to follow in the footsteps of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by fighting for social justice, equality and inclusion, and have a demonstrated commitment to issues affecting women, children, minorities, or other historically marginalized groups.

    Deadline: May 1, 2024
    ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
    At Futeral & Nelson, we understand the value of and the opportunities that come from obtaining a law school degree. We offer this scholarship as a means for students to relieve the financial stress of pursuing their career goals. That is why we are committed to helping pay for law school with a $2,000 scholarship.

    Deadline: See website
    MICHAEL WEINER SCHOLARSHIP FOR LABOR STUDIES
    The Michael Weiner Scholarship for Labor Studies seeks to recognize and support the efforts of graduate and/or law school students dedicated to improving the lives of workers. The Players Trust awards $50,000 annually to fund up to five scholarships at a minimum of $10,000 each. To date, the Trust has proudly awarded $400,000 in scholarships. The Players Trust also provides support, resources, and networking opportunities to alumni of the scholarship program as they continue to move forward in their educational and vocational journeys.

    Deadline: June 1, 2024
    MICHIGAN AUTO LAW DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
    As part of our commitment to diversity, Michigan Auto Law is pleased to sponsor an annual Scholarship Program to provide financial support to students who contribute to the diversity of the law school student body as they pursue their legal career.  $2,000 scholarship.

    Deadline: June 1, 2024
    THE GAINSBERG LAW ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
    It can take only one second for your life to change forever – something our clients know all too well. At Gainsberg Law, we fight for the futures of our clients, to help them regain what is lost, and to plan for their new lives ahead. We can offer  assistance because of the civil justice system, which allows people to seek redress when a wrong has been committed. To maintain that system, however, we need strong, passionate and dedicated lawyers who promise to uphold the law and protect the system.  Scholarship award: $2,500

    Deadline: June 7, 2024
    MARY SULLIVAN SCHOLARSHIP
    The Mary Sullivan Scholarship is given to a law student or recent law school graduate who represents the ideals and values of Mary Sullivan. Awards from $500 to $3,000 have been given.

    Deadline: June 10, 2024
    WHAT WILL BE YOUR TRADEMARK? SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
    The Mandour & Associates, APC “What will be your Trademark?” Scholarship exists to help alleviate whatever financial burdens may stand in the way of a student thriving, not just surviving.  Scholarship award: $2,500.

    Deadline: June 15, 2024
    ANIDJAR & LEVINE COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
    The Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine will award a $2,500 scholarship to the student who best demonstrates the relationship between their community service and future career goals and ambitions.

    Deadline: July 1, 2024
    ELLE D'AMORE LAW SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
    D’Amore Law Group has earned a reputation among insurance companies, corporations, and opposing counsel as experienced, aggressive, and ethical personal injury attorneys.  One (1) winner of this scholarship will receive $2,500 to put towards their law school tuition.

    Deadline: July, 1, 2024
    SHOOK & STONE SCHOLARSHIP
    The lawyers at Shook & Stone understand that education is incredibly important for all generations. The experiences and lessons you learn are unrivaled. We want to help students in their paths to higher education, which is why we have created this scholarship. If you share our goal of helping individuals fully understand their rights and the benefits of hiring a skilled personal injury attorney, we want you to submit an essay for the chance to win $2,500.

    Deadline: July 1, 2024
    PATRICK MALONE & ASSOCIATES OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP
    Patrick Malone & Associates is offering two scholarships of $5,000 each to law students committed to a career representing individuals.  We call this our “Representing Real People” scholarship. Our goal is to make a dent in the high cost of law school for students who want to represent individuals, to make it a little easier to choose such a career path.

    Deadline: July 1, 2024
    FUTURE LAWYER SCHOLARSHIP
    Lawyer.com started as a legal matching service for those seeking a lawyer. Our foundation is based on our appreciation for lawyers and what they can provide for their community. With this, we decided to celebrate the new, future lawyers-to-be with a law school scholarship. The winning essay writer will receive $5,000 to aid with their schooling.

    Deadline: August 1, 2024
    JOHNS LAW GROUP SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST
    We are asking students to write a 500-1000 word essay about the importance of Checks and Balances within our government. We will choose one (1) essay for the scholarship contest. We will select the most cohesive, compelling, and best-written essay. The chosen submission will receive $2,500 to put towards their tuition or school expenses on behalf of the John’s Law Group.

    Deadline: October 1, 2024
    BUCKFIRE & BUCKFIRE, P.C. LAW SCHOOL DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
    The scholarship was created in 2013 as part of the law firm’s commitment to helping law students who are in need of financial assistance achieve their academic and professional dreams.  The scholarship will award $2,000 to one student selected by our scholarship selection committee.

    Deadline: December 31, 2024
    THE LAW OFFICES OF DANIEL KIM SCHOLARSHIP
    We are inspired by our clients, who have overcome the impact of an accident and become agents of change in their communities. This motivates us to support local students and help them pursue their dreams with The Law Offices of Daniel Kim Scholarship. The scholarship will grant $2,500 to one eligible student who is enrolled or planning to enroll in college or graduate school.

    Deadline: December 31, 2024
    ANGELENO ACCIDENT LAWYERS SCHOLARSHIP
    At Angeleno Accident Lawyers, we have always been dedicated to serving our community, including empowering the next generation of leaders. In an effort to inspire change, our law firm is excited to offer a $2,500 scholarship opportunity to one deserving student for the 2024 school year.

    Deadline: December 31, 2024
    THE 2024 ALPHA ACCIDENT LAWYERS SCHOLARSHIP
    The attorneys at Alpha Accident Lawyers proudly support students’ pursuit of higher education, which is why we are pleased to offer the Alpha Accident Lawyers Collegiate Scholarship Program. Each year, one student who has exemplified educational excellence and leadership will be selected to receive our $5,000 award.

    Deadline: Varies Depending on Scholarship
    AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YOUNG LAWYERS AND LAW STUDENTS
    We know every little bit helps when you’re trying to pay for law school. That’s why several ABA groups offer scholarships for law students. Scholarship amounts vary.

    Deadline: See website
    GLORIA BARRON WILDERNESS SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP
    The Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship seeks to encourage individuals who have the potential to make a significant positive difference in understanding wilderness and how to protect it. The scholarship is available to current qualified graduate students. It was created in honor of Gloria Barron, a dedicated educator and tireless advocate for wilderness protection. Two separate awards of $25,000 each will be given to two graduate students to support their research and preparation of a paper on an aspect of wilderness.

     


    Attention Scholarship Donors: All submitted scholarship offers are reviewed, and if a scholarship is deemed as a possible good fit for our student population the offer will be posted on either our intranet (students only) or our external website.  Due to the volume of requests, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding the posting of scholarships.

  • Scholarship Search Engines

    A number of students each year receive non-university scholarships from a variety of organizations, agencies, companies and private individuals. These are not administered by UCLA Law. Criteria may include academic achievement, special talent, leadership ability, and group affiliation. UCLA Law makes information available to students concerning outside scholarship opportunities as it becomes available. You can also view these useful links to gain access to outside scholarship search engines:

Educational Loans

  • Federal Loans (FAFSA Information)

    FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

    The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form which enables the school to determine students' eligibility for federal loans (Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS). The FAFSA must be completed each year by all who wish to be considered for federal financial aid at UCLA.

    Completing the FAFSA online reduces errors and improves turnaround time. You can do this by going to studentaid.gov. Request that a copy of the FAFSA be released to UCLA by indicating our school code: 001315.

    The FAFSA should be submitted as early as possible after January 1. Newly admitted students who are applying for the need-based component of the Dean's Scholarship will need to complete a FAFSA, including their asset information. Admitted students who file a FAFSA will receive an electronic Provisional Award Letter (ePAL) in late March. Students filing applications after late March will receive an ePAL on a rolling basis.

    William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

    Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

    The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program enables qualified graduate and professional students to receive up to $20,500 in a federally guaranteed loan. For the 2023-24 academic year, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan has an interest rate of 7.05 percent, and a loan fee of 1.057 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2024. The federal government will automatically deducted the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

    The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

    All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

    The U.S. Department of Education allows all eligible recipients to receive a lifetime amount of $138,500, including Undergraduate and Graduate Federal Loans. However, no more than $65,500 can come from the Federal Subsidized Loan.

    Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

    Graduate and professional students are allowed to borrow through a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS (GPLUS) Loan. For the 2023-24 academic year; the GPLUS loan has an interest rate of 8.05 percent, and a loan fee of 4.228 percent for loans disbursed before October 1, 2024. The federal government will automatically deduct the loan fee from each disbursement; therefore, your original (gross) amount requested and the disbursed (net) amount will differ.

    The GPLUS Loan does not have annual or aggregate loan limits (other than the cost of attendance less other financial aid) but requires a credit review. Just as with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, GPLUS borrowers are eligible for an in-school deferment if they are enrolled at least half-time. The GPLUS has the same payment options, the same deferments and forbearances, and the same cancellation provisions as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Repayment begins six months after graduation or upon dropping below half-time enrollment.

    All applicants must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered. Once the FAFSA has been processed and the data has been received by UCLA, the borrower will receive an electronic Financial Aid Notification (eFAN) indicating the types and the amounts of financial aid offered.

    How is APR different than an interest rate?

    In most cases, you have seen APR (Annual Percentage Rate) related to private loans, car loans and your credit card. What you are being charged for your loan isn’t actually just an interest rate; it’s really the APR. So, what is the APR?

    The APR is the annual cost of your loan. It includes the interest rate and certain fees. In order to accurately compare the cost of loans, you should always compare the APRs rather than just the interest rates.


    Entrance Counseling

    Important! All first-time federal loan borrowers at UCLA need to be informed about borrowers’ rights and responsibilities. Law students will satisfy this requirement by completing an online Entrance Counseling Session. This can be accomplished by reviewing the counseling session materials and taking an online quiz. All quiz results are transmitted electronically to the UCLA Student Loan Services and Collections Office.

    Please be sure to indicate "UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles" as your institution when registering your account to ensure that you are directed to the entrance exam.

    Failure to follow through with this requirement will delay disbursement of your eligible Federal Direct Loan proceeds.

  • Private Student Loans

    Private loans are offered by lenders independently of the Department of Education. Private loans are best utilized only if eligibility for Federal Direct Loans has been exhausted. Private loans are not guaranteed by the federal government. These loans are based on credit and their terms vary based on the lender, from whom you borrow as well as on your (and, if required cosigner’s) credit-worthiness.


    Credit-Based Private Loans

    Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options, including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide.

    Some students find it necessary to finance a portion of their education through private loan sources. These lenders offer loans to offset the cost of attending law school. The loan terms are printed directly on the application and also are governed by federal and state lending regulations. The choice of lender rests solely with the student, but he/she will need to meet the lender’s credit requirements. Please see UCLA's Preferred Lender List and Code of Conduct – Preferred Lenders.


    Bar Loans

    Law students may apply for Bar Loans for the period after graduation when they are studying for the bar. A Bar loan is an unsecured consumer loan offered to graduating law school students to assist with expenses related to the bar process. These related expenses may include the following: bar examination fees, bar review courses, and living expenses during the period after graduation and prior to being notified of the exam results.

    Bar Loan interest rates are generally higher than those of federal and private loans. Students should review the product guidelines and repayment options before applying. See UCLA’s Preferred Lenders List for a list of Bar Loan lenders.

    Please note: For graduates needing to obtain a Bar Loan after graduation, when using UCLA’s Preferred Lender List (ELM Select), please indicate that your graduation date will be in the future in order to obtain a potential list of lenders that offer this product.

Other Resources

  • Earned Aid

    Earned Aid includes job opportunities for students wishing to reduce loan indebtedness such as UCLA Teaching and Research Assistantships, Summer Public Interest Fellowships.

    Teaching Assistantships

    Through UCLA’s Graduate Division, advanced graduate and professional students have an excellent opportunity to gain practical teaching and tutoring experience in departments outside of the law school while earning an income to offset the cost of their tuition and fees. In-state students who are employed 45 percent or more are entitled to a fee remission of 75 percent of the Education Fee, a fee remission of 75 percent of the Registration Fee, and a fee remission of 100 percent of the Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan. These fee remissions significantly reduce the student’s out-of-pocket expenses for the academic year. This reduction may, in turn, affect a student’s total loan eligibility.

    For more information and to obtain an application, please visit the Graduate Division website.


    Summer Public Service Fellowships

    Through an array of funding sources, UCLA School of Law provides stipends to first-and second-year students who engage in otherwise unpaid summer internships with nonprofit organizations or government agencies (judicial externships are not categorized as internships with government agencies). The application process begins in the spring semester, and students with eligible positions must submit an application in order to be considered for this Fellowship. In summer 2020, UCLA School of Law funded approximately 250 students.

  • Useful Financial Aid Links

Post-Graduate Support

UCLA Law has several programs to help new graduates gain meaningful legal experience while also assisting employers to address unmet needs.

  • Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

    UCLA School of Law offers a robust Loan Repayment Assistance Program commonly referred to as LRAP.  This program can provide financial support for recent J.D. graduates employed in public interest or public service settings, where salaries are significantly lower than in the private sector. Graduates may participate in the Program for up to 10 years.

    Through LRAP, UCLA Law has in the past decade covered roughly $4.5 million in student loan payments for J.D. graduates who work in public interest jobs, government positions or judicial clerkships.

    Under UCLA Law School’s LRAP guidelines, alumni with incomes up to $75,000 may have their entire eligible loan payments fully covered. Applicants with incomes up to $100,000 may now receive partial assistance.

    “Student loans are one of the biggest barriers for law students who want to pursue public interest careers,” says Brad Sears, UCLA Law’s associate dean of public interest law. “The support that LRAP provides helps bridge that gap and allows the full diversity of our student body to pursue public interest careers, including students who carry a significant amount of student loan debt.”

    To qualify for LRAP, a graduate must meet the LRAP guidelines which include working for a nonprofit organization, a clerkship or an agency of government in law-related employment that makes substantial use of legal skills.  Because most educational loans offer a six-month grace period following graduation, graduates going directly into qualifying employment will usually receive their first LRAP loan approximately six months after graduation.

    Kia Hayes ’13, a staff attorney at the Innocence Project New Orleans, says that she could not afford to pursue her career without UCLA Law’s LRAP.:

    “I came to UCLA Law because I wanted to dedicate my professional life to criminal and racial justice,” says Hayes, who has helped win the freedom of five men who were imprisoned after being wrongly convicted. “I would not be able to do this work were it not for LRAP. I relied on student loans to cover nearly all my tuition, and I would not be able to cover my monthly loan payments without LRAP.”

  • Public Service Fellowship Program

    The School of Law’s Public Service Fellowship Program seeks to support graduating students who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service, enabling them to work with a variety of nonprofit organizations and government agencies, both domestically and abroad.

  • Professional Opportunity Fellowship Program

    Through the Professional Opportunity Program, UCLA Law and Liberty Hill Foundation have partnered to set up a one year fellowship to allow successful candidates the opportunity to work full-time for up to one year with nonprofit organizations, government agencies or judges. Participants are paid monthly stipends.

  • New Graduate Opportunity Program

    The New Graduate Opportunity Program funds part-time, temporary work with nonprofit organizations and government agencies for up to 200 hours at up to 20 hours per week. Participants are paid by UCLA School of Law - therefore negating any employer concerns regarding unpaid interns - and  have a unique opportunity to further build their resume and to enhance their legal skills while awaiting bar results. Although participating employers are not required to permanently hire these graduates, many host employers have offered our graduates long-term employment at the conclusion of the program.

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