Impact of Bankruptcy on Financial Aid Forum

[Shib26]

Before you tell me to google it or search these forums I have, and I've got most of the answer I need but there's still a missing piece that would influence my decision, so just wanted to ask here if anyone has any knowledge.

Without going into a long winded and overly personal explanation of why I'm in the financial situation I'm in let's just say that I'm at a place in life where my personal debt far exceeds my income. If you take law school out of the equation, chapter 7 bankruptcy makes a lot of sense due to my debt/income ratio and inability to make payments, and I certainly don't see my income rising once I start law school.

From what I've read if I declare bankruptcy before I start 1L in fall of 2016 I would be ineligible for grad+ loans and private loans but could still be eligible for stafford loans. However, it seems like stafford loans have a limit that wouldn't cover the total COA at most law schools. Now I am certainly hoping scholarships that would reduce the cost of attendance but I'm still waiting on that and would like to be prepared for the worst case scenario which would be paying sticker. So if I do declare bankruptcy would I be able to finance the total COA if I had to? Would I be better off just making small payments on my debt when I can and ignoring the creditors for 3 years? It's a pretty bad situation either way and I know I have no one to blame but myself but just trying to make the most informed decision possible.

And please don't tell me to not go to law school. I know that's a stock answer on here but it's not really helpful, I have my reasons for wanting to go.