Paying for the JD Program

JD Scholarships | Other Funding | International Students 

 

We believe that a legal education is an important, lifelong investment. We’re committed to helping you finance your legal education through scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other funding opportunities so you can achieve your educational goals while minimizing debt. 

Tuition & Costs

Cost of attendance is the estimated cost to attend the UO for the academic year. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for cost of attendance information that goes beyond tuition and fees, and includes: living expenses (housing and food), books/supplies/equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Some costs, such as personal expenses and living expenses, are difficult to project and vary from student to student. We suggest that you create a budget to estimate your costs more precisely. The Live Like a Duck budgeting tool is also helpful.

JD Scholarships

All applicants to the JD program are automatically considered for a merit-based tuition scholarship. If you are awarded a merit scholarship, you will be notified of the amount and conditions of the scholarship in your acceptance letter.

Rising 2Ls and 3Ls can also apply for a variety of law school-specific scholarships, funded by private donors. Students are notified each spring about the opportunities available for the coming year. In recent years, nearly 50 donor-funded scholarships per year have been awarded!

Financial Aid

JD applicants are encouraged to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal financial aid, including loans and work-study, by March 1st of each year. The FAFSA school code for the University of Oregon is 003223.

The University of Oregon’s Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships manages disbursement of federal financial aid, loans (including GradPLUS loans,) and federal work-study allocations.

Other Funding Opportunities

Fellowships

The Oregon Law 1L Fellowship Program provides a unique opportunity for a small group of entering first-year law students to work with a professor or program director to assist with tasks such as project development, coordinating lectures and events, and performing research.

As a 1L Fellow, you gain in-depth exposure in your fellowship area, and have a role in impacting real-world problems. You also gain mentorship as you work closely with professors or program directors.

1L Fellowships take place during both semesters of a fellow’s 1L year and come with a modest tuition stipend. Fellowship opportunities in the 2L and 3L years are also available. (On a rare occasion, a Fellowship may go unfilled.)

The priority application deadline for all 1L fellowships is March 1. To learn more about individual fellowships and application requirements, explore the links below:

Appropriate Dispute Resolution
Business Law
Criminal Law
Empirical Legal Studies
Environmental & Natural Resources Law
Family and Child Law
International Law
Leadership in the Law
Minoru Yasui Fellowship
Multnomah Bar Fellows Program
Public Law & Policy 
 

University of Oregon Scholarships

All applicants to the JD program are automatically considered for a merit-based tuition scholarship. If you are awarded a merit scholarship, you will be notified of the amount and conditions of the scholarship in your acceptance letter.

You may also apply for the General University Scholarship. The deadlines to apply for this scholarships is usually early in the year, so you should plan to apply for it as soon as possible.

University of Oregon Graduate School Funding​​

JD students and applicants are eligible to apply for many of the funding opportunities available through the University of Oregon Graduate School.

Outside Scholarships

Many organizations, including the Oregon State Bar and the American Bar Association, offer a variety of scholarships that JD applicants and incoming 1Ls may be eligible to apply for.

The University of Oregon Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships offers resources for finding these scholarships, as well as a scholarship bulletin board. 

Veterans' Benefits

Students wishing to use their VA educational benefits to help fund their JD education should contact the University of Oregon Office of Veterans Affairs.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

The LRAP distributes forgivable loans to qualifying graduates in public interest careers for up to three years. 

 

International Student Resources

Most international students are not eligible for federal student aid. (Non-US citizens may qualify for federal student aid.) The university offers a variety of scholarships for international students. Below is a list of resources you can explore.

UO Office of Admissions:

  • International Student Work-Study program

International Student and Scholar Services:

  • International Cultural Service Program is a full tuition scholarship. Recipients share their culture with Eugene/Springfield schools and community groups.
  • Global Corners Award provides tuition support to international students who advance the university’s interest in internationalizing the campus and maintaining a globally diverse student population.
  • Endowed Scholarships are from generous donors intended to support specific students. There is a single application for all the endowed scholarships which range from $1,000 to $15,000.
  • Financial resources suggestions including international student emergency financial aid, severe economic hardship employment authorizations, and more.

General University Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement.

Outside Organizations:

The links below are to non-University of Oregon affiliated, controlled, or endorsed organizations. 

International Education Financial Aid: Provides scholarship and grant listings.