Financial Aid

Overview

Most students use federal and private loans, grants and scholarships to pay for law school. Learn about financial aid services available at the University of Kansas in the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Financial Aid FAQ

How much does law school cost?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition is $857 per credit hour. Nonresident tuition is $1,094 for current 1Ls (current 2L and 3L students should visit the Tuition, Fees & Residency page for additional information).

What type of financial assistance is available for law school?

Most students use federal and private loans, grants and scholarships to pay for law school. For KU Law students participating in the federal direct loan program, they may also take advantage of the J-HELPS loan program.

What type of federal financial aid is available?

Federal Student Aid is available to law students based on the cost of attendance. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for up to $50,000 in federal direct loans per year or $200,000 in total. Last year 97% of KU Law students borrowed less than the annual loan limit.

How and when do I apply for financial aid?

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at fafsa.gov. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will begin accepting FAFSA applications on October 1.

What is the KU FAFSA code?

001948

What if my borrowing exceeds the federal loan caps? 

The Jayhawk Endowment Loan Program for Students (J-HELPS) offered by the KU Endowment Association provides low interest rate (5%) loans for up to $12,000 per year ($24,000 aggregate maximum). Best of all, there are no cosigner requirements for this loan. 

Who is eligible for the J-HELPS loan program? Every KU Law student is eligible for the program, but only a very few will actually need to use it. To be eligible to apply for a J-HELPS loan, students must first borrow the maximum amount of federal loans. Last year, 97% of KU Law students were covered completely by the federal loan program. For the remaining students whose borrowing will exceed the $50,000 cap, we will provide information for you this summer about the application process.

Should I borrow from private banks? Are 14% private bank loans really that bad?

That decision is up to you of course and everyone’s situation is different. But let us share with you this illuminating fine print from one of the major banks offering student loans…

Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Law School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 3-year in-school period, and a 9-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 14.14% fixed APR, 42 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $229.75 and one payment of $125.61, for a total loan cost of $28,515.86. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 14.29% fixed APR, 42 payments of $25.00, 178 payments of $199.90 and one payment of $177.66, for a total loan cost of $36,809.86. Source: https://www.salliemae.com/student-loans/graduate-student-loans/law-school-loan

What types of KU Law scholarships are available?

KU Law offers a variety of merit- and need-based scholarships. Residents of Kansas who demonstrate superior merit may be interviewed for the Rice Scholar Program, which covers the cost of tuition and fees for 90 credit hours of law school study. Visit the Scholarships page to learn more about law school scholarships.

How do I apply for scholarships offered by KU Law?

For most scholarships, there is no separate application. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. To be considered for need-based scholarships, applicants must complete the FAFSA. The priority application deadline for scholarship consideration is February 20. 

How and when will I be notified of my financial aid award?

The Financial Aid & Scholarships office will send award notifications by email beginning in mid-February for students who file the FAFSA early. Accept or decline your financial aid award by visiting the link contained in your email notification.

Am I eligible to pay resident tuition and fees?

The state of Kansas sets a high bar for non-residents to qualify for residency for tuition purposes. Extensive information about the standards is available on the Kansas Board of Regents website. Essentially, if you have not been a Kansas resident prior to law school, you will be considered to have moved here for education purposes and thus not able to enjoy residency status. There are a few notable exceptions under which you may qualify:

• If you have been a resident of Kansas for 12 of the preceding 60 months.
• If you or your spouse has been recruited or transferred to Kansas by a Kansas employer.
• If you are a member of or a veteran of the military. Visit the KU Military-Affiliated Student Center for help with all military related matters. 
• If you have attended Haskell Indian Nations University.
• If you are not eligible for Kansas resident tuition rates, you may become eligible by proving your intent to stay in Kansas indefinitely by purchasing property in Kansas, marrying a Kansan, accepting a permanent offer of employment, etc. Note that these are not automatic qualifiers and are simply examples of circumstances that have led to a grant of residency status.

If you are unsure about your status, you may apply for a residency determination through the KU Office of the University Registrar. This can be done prior to enrollment.

Contact the KU Office of the University Registrar for residency information at 785-864-4423 or registrar.ku.edu/residency/.

What if I have childcare expenses?

The EOF Childcare Grant is available to students who are the custodial parents of children in daycare ages 5 and under. Students wishing to be considered for the grant must submit a FAFSA and a Childcare Grant and Budget Adjustment Request form. The form is typically available at the beginning of September each year and is due within a few weeks of its release. After funding is exhausted, students who have submitted the form will have their Cost of Attendance adjusted in order to reflect their childcare expenses. More information is available from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 785-864-4700.

Is there any financial aid available to international students?

International students who have completed a full academic year at KU and are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours may submit the International Student Needs Analysis Worksheet available at financialaid.ku.edu/forms by the March 1 priority date in order to be considered.

What if I have special circumstances, such as medical or transportation costs, that make the need for more financial aid important?

Re-evaluations for special circumstances are available. Contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 785-864-4700 for details or to request a financial aid advising appointment.