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Can my letter be based on the fact that I may get a relatively low paying job after graduation and thus be unable to pay off the debt?

Some schools have specific public interest scholarships for students like yourself. They generally require an additional essay/interview/promise to work in public interest for x year or pay back the scholarship.

On the plus side, at least living expenses in Champaign will be low.

Hmmm. That's something to consider.

Another question: should I wait to see my other offers (if any), or should I go ahead and email them now?

Well, if you think that the scholarship percentage/amount is ambiguous, are you going to negotiate for a higher or lower percentage & amount ?

Your letter should indicate the type of work that you will undertake, not the amount that you'll be paid since low paying work can be due to public interest work or to poor law school performance/poor interviewing skills. Why would a law school reward one for performing poorly in law school ?

Research IBR (income based repayment) programs & LRAP.

hahaha, I decided to just phrase it by asking for a greater amount, rather than dealing with the percentage.

Thanks for the advice!