WILL THE MILITARY PAY FOR LAW SCHOOL

Introduction

Will the military pay for law school? If you’re serving or have served in the military and wanted to become a lawyer, you may be able to make that dream a reality by having the military pay for law school. The army paying for law school could be a game-changer through options like the Funded Legal Education Program and Veteran’s Assistance initiatives. 

This article will explain how to get military pay for law school for those who have honorably served our country. It covers the eligibility requirements, the application processes, and the awesome benefits of taking them up on this opportunity.

Will the Military Pay for Law School?

Exploring how to get the military to pay for law school unveils a path to what many refer to as “free law school.” This unique opportunity is available through various military programs to support aspiring lawyers. These programs provide a comprehensive package covering tuition, books, and often a living stipend. By committing to military service after graduation, students can receive a top-tier legal education at less or no cost. 

Military Programs Offering Law School Support

The military offers several programs to support law school education for its service members, veterans, and their families.

Army Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP)

The Funded Legal Education Program is for active-duty Army officers who want to pursue a legal education. Here’s a deeper look into the qualifications:

Eligibility and Service Commitment

Will the Army pay for law school? Captains, Lieutenants, Sergeants First Class, Staff Sergeants, and Sergeants from different divisions in the Regular Army are eligible for FLEP. 

• Applicants must be US citizens on the Active Duty List (ADL) in particular grades, with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.
• Officers should have between two and six years of active duty service, while enlisted applicants need four to eight years at the law school start date.
• An active-duty service obligation is incurred through participation: two years of service for each year of law school​​​​.

Application Process

If you are still wondering if the Army pays for law school, yes it does. However, FLEP is highly competitive, with only up to 25 active-duty officers selected annually. Factors influencing competitiveness include the number of years of commissioned service, with those having 2 1/2 to 4 years being the most competitive.

The application includes submitting official transcripts, a military performance evaluation, a personal statement, a list of law schools applied to or planning to apply to, LSAT scores, and comprehensive service documentation among other items.

Given the requirements, your LSAT score is hugely important to admissions committees. Often, it can be the deciding factor in whether you get into your dream law school or not. Consider signing up for an LSAT prep course in New York City or an LSAT prep course in Boston. Our intensive prep classes are taught by LSAT experts who really know the exam inside and out.

Educational and Financial Details

Selected FLEP participants must apply to and be accepted by an ABA-accredited law school in the United States, usually one that offers in-state tuition rates to military members. The Army covers the cost of tuition, and participants receive their regular salaries and book allowances during their studies​​​.

The Air Force JAG Corps Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP)

Will the Air Force pay for law school? The Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps allows you to pursue your legal career without leaving you with big debt. This opportunity is for officers and enlisted members on active duty.

Here are the requirements to apply for this JAG scholarship for law school:

• Must be a U.S. citizen (born or naturalized).
• Currently in active duty, with 2-6 years of service by the time law school begins.
• Officers must be in the pay grade of 0-3 or lower, with less than three years at that rank.
• The big hurdle is taking the LSAT entrance exam and applying to law schools. Don’t sweat not having an acceptance letter yet – you just need to have that LSAT score when applying to FLEP. 

Pro tip: Sign up for an LSAT prep course in Washington DC area to maximize your score! Check also if you qualify for an LSAC Fee Waiver to save money on those LSAT and credential assembly fees.

Legal Internships and Service Commitment

• Internships: FLEP students must complete legal internships with the AFJAGC during summer breaks after their first and second years of law school.
• Service Commitment: Officers incur a six-year active duty service commitment (ADSC), while enlisted members have a 10-year ADSC upon completion of the program. This service commitment is in addition to any preexisting service obligations.

GI Bill Benefits

If you have served after 9/11, getting that law degree you have always wanted just became so much more affordable with the great benefits the Post-9/11 GI Bill offers. This military law school program is an absolute game-changer for paying institutions like law schools for education. 

If you were eligible for full GI Bill benefits, this would include 100% of the tuition and fees at any public university or college in your state. However, if you are going to attend one of the private or foreign law schools, then the GI Bill does place a ceiling on what you will annually pay for tuition, and that number changes annually due to changes in costs.

The GI Bill also provides a nice monthly housing allowance to help with living expenses while you’re in school. You’ll get an annual book stipend, too, and have the potential of a one-time rural benefit if you need to relocate. The total benefits just depend on how long you served and what specific program you’re doing. If your service was in 2013 or later, your GI Bill benefits will NEVER expire due to the new Forever GI Bill laws. 

For veterans and active duty personnel, earning a competitive LSAT score can open doors to top law schools. Our LSAT prep course in Dallas Fort combines rigorous teaching with skills building to maximize your performance on test day.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Many private law schools partner with Veterans Affairs (VA) through Yellow Ribbon to cover tuition and fees that cost more than the GI Bill cap. The school pays a certain amount over that cap, and the VA matches it. That means the full ridiculous cost of an expensive private law degree could be 100% free. 

Schools like the University of San Diego Law offer generous Yellow Ribbon benefits. The only requirement is being eligible for the max GI Bill rate based on your service. Then you just need to find participating Yellow Ribbon schools and see what they’ll cover.

Do some research, check all the boxes, and prepare to make that law school dream a debt-free reality. No matter what law school military program or benefits you utilize, a top LSAT score is crucial for law school admission. Our LSAT prep courses in Chicago provide intensive training from experts to help you conquer this challenging exam.

Application Tips for Military and Veteran

There are many law school military programs that you can check out.  The jump from military service to law school is an exciting but daunting journey. Your years in uniform have instilled incredible skills like discipline, leadership, and adaptability that will serve you well. However, the law school admissions process has its battles to conquer.

Here are some essential tips to help pave your path:

1. Start Early

Applying to law school is not for the faint of heart. You want to get a head start on looking at programs, prepping for the LSAT exam, and putting together all of those application materials. Starting early should enable you to pace yourself so that you don’t get overwhelmed. 

2. Master the LSAT

Your LSAT score is your make-it or break-it factor for admission to law school. It’s an exam built to test your reasoning skills, reading comprehension, and analytic skills that law programs value. 

Prepare to excel on the LSAT and embark on your journey to military-funded law school with our comprehensive prep course. Our prep course offers comprehensive instruction, practice tools, and insider tips on achieving your highest possible test score. Also, be mindful of the LSAT test dates and LSAC accommodations when planning your study schedule and application timeline to ensure you have ample time to prepare and meet law school application deadlines.

3. Understand the Timeline

Application deadlines for law schools are generally very close to the beginning of the current school year in the autumn or winter, preparing for the following year’s intake. Mark those dates prominently and work backward in building your preparation timeline. You don’t want to rush at the final second. 

Achieve your highest LSAT score and pave the way for military-funded law school education with personalized tutoring tailored to your aspirations. Opting for LSAT tutoring is worth it because we focus on strengthening weak areas and maximizing your score potential. This will be a big help, especially if you are running out of time to prepare on your own, as an experienced tutor can streamline your study approach.

4. Highlight Your Military Experience

Your years of service are a powerful asset that needs to shine through in your application. Be sure to emphasize how the incredible skills, discipline, and leadership you cultivated in the military will directly translate to being a successful law student and future lawyer. Those real-world experiences truly set you apart.

5. Build a Standout Application

Your law school application is your time to sell yourself beyond academics. Two key areas that can help you stand out are letters of recommendation and your personal statement.

For recommendations, don’t just go for the highest rank. Pick people who know you and can vouch for your skills, work ethic, leadership abilities, etc. Maybe a commanding officer who saw you in action, a professor who remembers your academic capabilities, or even a fellow service member you impressed.

As for the personal statement, get personal! Share how your military experiences—discipline, adaptability, handling tough situations—uniquely prepared you for the challenges of law school and being a lawyer. Don’t just list accomplishments; connect your journey to your goals.

While stats like your LSAT and GPA are crucial, your overall application package is your chance to stand out as a multidimensional person. Our admissions consultants can provide personalized guidance every step of the way – from LSAT prep to refining your personal statement and rounded application materials. Let us guide you toward securing scholarships and programs specifically tailored for military members, ensuring your path to law school is supported and financially accessible!

Financial Planning and Scholarships

Does the military pay for law school? Yes, the military law school programs comes with many benefits, but it is still costly even with military benefits helping out. That’s why getting on top of your finances early and exploring all the aid options is so important. Law school scholarships and grants are available specifically for military members, veterans, and their families.  

However, you will likely still need law school loans, but don’t just take out the max! Only borrow what you actually need after exhausting those scholarships, grants, and military benefits. And look into federal loans over private ones for better repayment options.

Once you’re already working, look into military loan repayment assistance programs to help tackle that debt without going broke right out of the gate. Income-driven repayment plans can make those payments more manageable. With some strategizing, you can make this law school dream happen without drowning in debt.

Final Thoughts

Law school is a huge investment in time, energy, and money. Will the military pay for law school?  Yes, whether you’ve been or are currently serving in the military, having them assist in paying for law school can make your ambition a reality. Of course, you’ll have to do your homework on requirements and put together a stellar application. Stay persistent, get strategic with maximizing resources, and lean on that military discipline. 

The path won’t be easy, but it’ll be way more attainable with this law school military support.