Does Need Based Aid Work Like This? Forum

[AceofSky]

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[randomanswers]

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[HamlinMcgill]

No, need-based aid doesn't work like that.

Schools require you to submit your parents' financial information until you're 29 years old. Even if your parents aren't giving you a dime and you're totally independent, schools will still include your parents' income and assets in any aid calculation. Also -- it's the schools that give scholarships, not the federal government, which only offers educational loans.

Outside of Harvard, Yale, and Stanford (which don't give any merit scholarships), need-based aid is pretty rare in law school. Unlike undergrad, where the top schools can be very generous with aid, basically all law schools expect you to take out some hefty loans to cover your tuition and living expenses. So the only real way to get a good deal on law school is with a merit aid package. To get a good merit scholarship, you need to be one of their top applicants (above median or even 75th percentile on GPA and LSAT).

All that said -- you're 18. Chill out. Shoot for good grades, but also remember to enjoy undergrad. In my opinion, most people benefit from a couple years off and some real world experience before law school. Then, if you're really sure you want to be a lawyer, you can apply to law school.

[AceofSky]

I see. I had it all wrong and I'm kind of in shock that the government thinks you're dependent on your parents until you're 29.

And thank you, I'll try. I just really want to do well and I'm pretty ambitious and eager to apply!

[emkay625]

What people said above is correct, your parents' information will still be factored in.

Any aid you get will be merit-based. The most important thing to worry about right now is your GPA. Work hard to get a 4.0 every semester and you will set yourself up to do well.