Scholarship and Financial Aid

The decision to attend law school is, in part, a decision to invest in one’s future. As with any investment, we advise that you seek financial guidance and make informed decision about debt load. The Moritz College of Law’s financial aid philosophy reflects the desire to provide meaningful financial assistance to a broad range of students including through who are likely to excel in their legal studies, who have a record of community/public service, who will contribute to the diversity of the student body, who have demonstrated potential for leadership, or have a significant financial need.

Students at Ohio State receive a high-caliber legal education for an extremely affordable price compared to other nationally ranked law schools. The annual cost of tuition for Ohio residents is about half of what comparably ranked private law schools charge.

We value the investment our students are making. We continually look for ways to manage expenses and assist students with minimizing debt loads – from establishing residency in Ohio for out-of-state students after their first year to finding donors who contribute to the more than $3.5 million in grant and scholarship funding awarded annually.

Most of our students pay for law school by drawing from some combination of funding sources: scholarships and grants from the Moritz College of Law and the university; loans, facilitated by Moritz, from the federal government and private lenders; part-time employment during the academic year and summers; and personal and family savings.

Our Financial Aid staff is a fabulous resource for prospective and current students alike. They are ready to help students navigate through their various funding options and answer questions along the way. Find more information contact them at 614-292-8807 and lawfinaid@osu.edu with questions.

When to apply for FAFSA?

In order to qualify for need-based aid from the Moritz College of Law and Federal Stafford Loans, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed at the earliest possible date after the FAFSA becomes available in early October. The FAFSA form may be completed online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Ohio State federal code is 003090. Questions regarding the FAFSA should be directed to the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. 

Questions

Financial aid for law students is a cooperative effort between two offices on campus: the Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid and the University Office of Student Financial Aid. The Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is responsible for counseling law students, disseminating financial aid information, and assisting students with individual financial aid issues.

The University Office of Student Financial Aid has responsibility for interfacing with lenders and the federal government, as well as for the actual processing of students’ scholarships, grants, and loans. The Moritz College of Law Office of Admissions and Financial Aid welcomes applicants’ questions and concerns. Contact our staff at (614) 292-8807 and lawfinaid@osu.edu.