Afford

We strive to ensure access for all highly qualified candidates, and we are committed to helping you obtain resources to finance your legal education.

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A variety of financial assistance is available at Lewis & Clark Law School, including scholarships and awards, loans, and work-study. We estimate that more than $32 million of financial aid is distributed to our law students each year. Additionally, upper-division students at Lewis & Clark have ample opportunities to seek paid clerkship positions in Portland’s extensive legal community.

For an overview of financial aid sources, costs associated with law school, and a sample financial aid package, visit our financial aid website.

Costs 2023–24

  • Full-time (day) division tuition for the JD program: $28,148/semester
  • Part-time (evening) division tuition for the JD program: $21,110/semester
  • LLM and MSL programs tuition
  • Books (estimate): $800/semester
  • Rent, utilities, and food (estimate): $525/week
  • Transportation and personal expenses (estimate): $315/week

Applying for Financial Aid

In order to determine eligibility for need-based aid, you must fill out the FAFSA.

  • Lewis & Clark federal school code: 003197

Tools

Payment Plan

In fall and spring semesters, we offer a payment plan that allows you to split your payment into five monthly installments, for a total of ten payments.

Types of Aid

Scholarships and Awards

These awards do not require repayment upon graduation.

Federal Work-Study

Earn money to help pay for your education while gaining legal work experience. These awards are need-based and recipients must have completed their first year of law school.

External Scholarships

These are scholarships or awards from an organization other than Lewis & Clark.

Loans

Federal Student Loan Programs

These loans offer some advantages:

  • Low interest rates
  • Income-driven repayment plans
  • Loan forgiveness programs

Private Loans

These loans are designed to meet costs not covered by other forms of financial aid. Students are encouraged to pursue federal student loans (if eligible) and outside scholarships before applying for private student loans.

Bar Study Loans

These are credit-qualified private loans intended to help cover expenses incurred after graduation while a student prepares for the bar exam.

  • 95% 

    95.4 percent of L&C alumni who sat for the bar within two years of graduating passed the exam.

  • All 

    Nearly all incoming JD students receive grants or scholarships.

  • 200+ 

    L&C law students complete more than 200 externships a year.

  • 100% 

    All incoming student merit scholarships are unconditional.

  • 92% 

    92 percent of the Class of 2022 is employed or pursuing advanced degrees.