Tips for Bar Exam Funding

Passing the bar is touted as the last hurdle before becoming a lawyer. But writing the bar exam comes with its own barriers and not least of those barriers is cost. The exam typically costs upwards of $1,000 over and above the thousands already spent in law school tuition.

Fortunately, there are multiple sources of bar exam fee funding. Consider these as you’re preparing to write the test.

Beta-testing of the new bar exam

There’s a new bar exam in the works, as the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) is rolling out a beta version of the multistate portion of the test. 

The NCBE is paying students $1,500 to take a prototype of the new test in October 2024. The opportunity is available to anyone who took the bar exam in July 2024, whether or not they passed. You can visit the NextGen bar exam website to learn how to apply.  

Fee waivers or reductions

The Board of Law Examiners (BLE) or your state bar might agree to waive or reduce bar exam fees. In Texas for example, you can apply for a waiver of fees in the case of indigence. There are some caveats, including that the circumstances of poverty are unlike those of most other law students and that there was sudden and unexpected hardship. 

If you’re not sure about your state’s policies, it’s worth picking up the phone and calling to inquire.  

State bar association grants

Besides fee waivers, state bar associations might have other programs to help law students pay for the bar examination. 

One example is the Oregon State Bar (OSB), which offers bar exam grants under its diversity and inclusion programming. The bar grant program consists of a refund of the examination fee as well as a stipend to cover expenses related to bar exam prep. People interested in these grants can email representatives at the OSB to inquire.

Federal loans

If you already have federal loans, you might be able to get additional funding to cover bar exam expenses. These often take the form of Federal Graduate PLUS loans. There are some caveats to this as well: You’ll still only be able to receive up to your maximum eligibility for the academic year. 

In some states and at some schools, bar exam fees are already included in your federal loan budget. If you require more funding, your school should have an application form for a budget adjustment. 

University loans

Your law school or university might offer bar study loans. These can cover examination fees and living expenses while you’re preparing to take the bar. 

As an example, Berkeley law offers loans up to $15,000 for this purpose. The school cautions that these loans are separate from federal loans and are not eligible for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). They also can’t be consolidated with federal loans.  

Private loans

You can also apply for a loan through a private lender such as a bank or lending agency. Your school might have a list of preferred lenders, but this does not mean the loan is associated with the university. 

A private loan might be available to non-US citizens if they have a co-signer who is a US citizen. Interest rates and terms vary according to the lender.

Private scholarships

There are many private agencies that offer scholarships to students in a range of disciplines. Consider looking through listings on scholarship websites to find organizations willing to fund bar examination fees for deserving students. Typically these sites have a filter mechanism that allows you to screen out awards for which you’re not eligible.

Public interest agency

Community organizations and public interest groups often have funding sources for people it’s within their mission to support. To find such organizations start with on-campus groups like law student associations that serve people with specific backgrounds. They likely have linkages with external organizations that support students like you.

Employer contribution

Often law firms who have already committed to hiring a law student upon graduation will cover the cost of that student’s bar exam fees. Sometimes firms will also cover the cost of some bar examination prep courses or sponsor a law student who plans to work in a public interest field. 

If you are in the process of securing a law firm placement, consider politely inquiring whether bar examination fees are included as part of the compensation package. 

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