Let’s set the stage. You worked hard studying for the LSAT, writing your application essays, filling out paperwork, and getting recommendations. Now you’re finally hearing back from law schools. Great news, you have been admitted! Some have even offered some form of law school financial aid or scholarship.
Awesome, celebrate! However, the reality that law school isn’t cheap starts to sink in. Is there any way you can negotiate for a larger scholarship?
How To Negotiate Law School Financial Aid and Scholarships
Is It Offensive To Negotiate My Scholarship Offer? Will the Law School be Offended?
No! You should, by all means, negotiate your scholarship. It is the norm. The worst that will happen is that the school does not budge. However, they will not rescind your offer just because you requested more financial assistance. That said, you want to respectfully provide the best evidence that a school should increase your dollar amount.
Further Reading
💰 Law Schools That Offer Full-Ride Scholarships
How Can I Best Approach Negotiating My Scholarship?
Start by writing a letter (sending via email) to the law school expressing the following:
- That you are honored to be admitted and are very excited about the prospect of matriculating
- Requesting/requiring a bit more financial assistance to help offset the high cost of law school.
- Make sure to explain why the scholarship increase will be meaningful in your ultimate decision of where you will attend.
However, the efficacy of such an approach primarily boils down to your leverage. Law schools are competing against each other for the strongest applicants. If a scholarship can help pull a competitive applicant away from another school, law schools are generally more willing to dish out that money. But what constitutes effective negotiating leverage?
Good vs. Bad Leverage
Great Leverage
You were admitted to a law school that U.S. News ranks higher AND that school has offered you a comparable, if not larger, scholarship. This is the best case scenario. When writing your letter, make sure to let the law school know which higher-ranked law school(s) have offered you a seat and let them know the scholarship amount. Although you do not need to include a copy of the actual scholarship, offer to provide them a copy upon request. Evidence that you have the option to attend a higher-ranked law school at the same or lesser cost will give the school strong incentive to match or exceed the competing offer.
Good Leverage
You were admitted to a peer law school, but that law school gave you a larger scholarship. In this instance, you will want to approach your letter in a similar manner. Let the law school know the peer school(s) that have offered you admission and the corresponding scholarship amount. You do not need to include a copy of the actual law school financial aid offer unless it is requested.
Decent Leverage
You were admitted to a peer law school that gave you the same scholarship, but the overall cost at that law school is lower. Although not as persuasive as a larger scholarship or a higher-ranked law school, ultimately, the purpose of a scholarship is to offset the cost of attending law school. That cost includes a myriad of factors, including the cost of tuition (which can vary from school to school), the cost of living, and the cost of books etc. If you can demonstrate that the total cost at a peer school would be substantially lower, and that the disparity in cost is salient to your final decision, this too can be an effective negotiation strategy.
Worth A Shot Leverage
You were admitted to a slightly lower-ranked law school, but that law school gave you a substantially larger scholarship. Admittedly, this is less likely to be persuasive than the other options. But, if it is the best leverage you have, then go with it. Similar to the options above, let the school know that you would attend, if not for the high cost. Let them know what other school(s) have offered admission and their respective scholarship offers. Ask if the school would be willing to narrow the gap between their offer and the lower-ranked school’s offer.
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When Should I Try To Negotiate My Scholarship?
You never want to be first or last. Typically, a safe time to request is between March and June.
Remember, it is almost always worthwhile to try and negotiate a larger scholarship. The worst-case scenario is that you are in the same place you started. The key to getting this scholarship boils down to how effective your leverage is and how persuasively you can write the negotiation letter.
Final Thoughts
It never hurts to apply for outside law school scholarships, but law schools also offer their own grants and financial aid. Many full-ride scholarships are given based on merit.
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