J.D. Admissions
Financial Aid
"I chose Moritz because I wanted to go to a great law school without taking on too much debt. I grew up in Ohio and had lived in New England for eight years when I decided to move back. Moritz offered a toptier legal education and significant financial advantages over similar schools. I will pay in-state tuition my second and third years. That, combined with financial aid help, gives me flexibility to choose my career path without worrying about a mountain of debt."
Peter Applegate, Class of 2010
A Moritz legal education is an excellent value among nationally ranked law schools. The annual cost of tuition for Ohio residents is approximately half the tuition charged by some comparably ranked private schools. Non-residents of Ohio who relocate to the state may be reclassified as Ohio residents after residing in the state for 12 months. An entering out-of-state student whose spouse is employed on a fulltime basis in Ohio while the student is enrolled will qualify for instant residency. Consult the university Registrar’s web site for more information about residency
Scholarships and Grants
Moritz, through the generosity of friends and alumni, annually awards more than $4.2 million in grant and scholarship assistance. Admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarship assistance. Applicants who wish to be considered for a Moritz Merit Scholarship, Leadership Awards, or need-based financial aid must file the appropriate forms and meet the required deadlines. Applicants should complete all financial aid paperwork at the earliest possible date, but no later than March 1. Law students are also eligible to apply for several special universitywide scholarships that have specific criteria for the graduate/professional student.
Loan Assistance
Ohio State participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. As a result of the information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may be eligible for up to $8,500 in the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. The federal government pays the interest on this loan while you are enrolled at Moritz. If you receive the full Subsidized loan, you may be awarded the Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan for up to $12,000. The interest will accrue on the Unsubsidized loan while you are enrolled at Moritz. In combination, you may be awarded up to $20,500 maximum in the Federal Direct Subsidized and unsubsidized loan program. Moritz students who find it necessary to borrow additional funds have a variety of private loan options available.
Moritz students who find it necessary to borrow up to the full cost of attendance may apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. This loan, in combination with all other aid, may not exceed the educational costs as determined by Ohio State. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and must pass a mandatory credit check to be eligible for this loan. Interest will also accrue on the Graduate PLUS Loan while you are enrolled at Moritz. Ohio State will determine eligibility for this loan and will make the application available for download.
Assistance with Financial Aid Issues
Financial aid assistance for law students at Moritz is cooperative effort between two offices on campus - Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the university’s Office of Student Financial Aid. The Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is the first point of contact for students and is responsible for disseminating information and counseling students.
