Part-Time Work while Full-Time Law Student Forum

[jrodz80]

I have calculated my extraneous expenses (ex. gas, car insurance, cell phone, misc.: those not covered by Stafford/Graduate PLUS loans and other financial aid) to be about $2,125 per semester. Counting five months for the semester (Aug - Dec), it breaks down to $425 per month. That comes to about $4.25 per hour working 25 hours per week. Not bad! Now what is the max amount of hours per week that you folks recommend a 1L to work??? I have no choice but to work since I DO NOT want to get private loans

[tesoro]

I have calculated my extraneous expenses (ex. gas, car insurance, cell phone, misc.: those not covered by Stafford/Graduate PLUS loans and other financial aid) to be about $2,125 per semester. Counting five months for the semester (Aug - Dec), it breaks down to $425 per month. That comes to about $4.25 per hour working 25 hours per week. Not bad! Now what is the max amount of hours per week that you folks recommend a 1L to work??? I have no choice but to work since I DO NOT want to get private loans

I think that the ABA requires all matriculating students to accredited law schools to sign a document stating they will not work more than 20 hours per week as full-time students, so recalculate for 20 hours or less and re-examine your options.

That's why I'm going part-time. I'm tired of loans.

[im_blue]

20 hours/week at minimum wage would easily net you $425/month.

[GermX]

You can't work more than 20 hours btw. Anyways your financial aid should include gas money.

[jrodz80]

You can't work more than 20 hours btw. Anyways your financial aid should include gas money.

Do you mean that they (the school/Stafford Loan people) can certify such expenses???

[im_blue]

You can't work more than 20 hours btw. Anyways your financial aid should include gas money.

Do you mean that they (the school/Stafford Loan people) can certify such expenses???

Any law school should provide a few thousand dollars of "personal" funds in the COA budget that can cover gas, cell phone, etc.

[jrodz80]

I'm not familiar with this. Can you explain?

[kalvano]

I'm not familiar with this. Can you explain?

From SMU -


Full-time J.D.
2010-2011 Estimates

Tuition & Fees
$40,186

Books
1,800

Living Expenses
14,000

Miscellaneous
2,600

Total
$58,586

[jrodz80]

That's great but if my loans cannot cover the entire COA, how exactly does the school cover it (grants, scholarships)? What if you're not offered any fin aid from the school?

[kalvano]

Grad PLUS loans cover COA over and above Stafford loans.

[jrodz80]

I see now, thanks!