Budget & Lifestyle Planning

Managing Your Cost During Law School

Borrow with a vision for your future.  Take a proactive approach and exercise prudent borrowing strategies, especially if you are relying on loans as a primary source of financial assistance. You will have more disposable income in the future and will be better able to enjoy the freedom to achieve your professional goals.

The benefits of a legal education are more than just financial, and you will reap those benefits for your remaining working years. When you reduce your cost of education through financial self-discipline, planning, and applying for all available aid, your investment becomes all the more valuable. Keep these factors in mind and weigh the benefits - both tangible and intangible - against the cost you will incur. This way, when you begin your legal education, you can be confident that you have made the best investment decision for your future.

Annual Cost of Attendance Budget

Federal regulations govern the creation of the student cost of attendance budget and dictate that it cover only expenses incurred during periods of enrollment and may include only education-related expenses.

To request a cost of attendance budget increase, please fully complete the form below and submit the form and all supporting documentation to your Financial Aid counselor.  If approved, the budget increase will allow you to apply for additional loan funds. Please note that appeals decisions can take up to two weeks.  

COA Appeal Form

Kate Politano (students with last name A-K):  kpolitano@rwu.edu
Tina Bacon (student with last name L-Z):  tbacon@rwu.edu
 

2022-2023 Cost of Attendance Budget

Tuition $43,115
Student Fees$1,600
Books and Supplies$1,500
Living Expenses (details below)$19,650
Loan Fees$216
Total$66,080
Living Expense Details (10 Month Budget)
 
Housing$9,500
Transportation$2,800
Miscellaneous/Personal$7,350
Total$19,650

Lifestyle….Ways to Reduce Expenses While in Law School

  • Pay off prior consumer debt
  • Share Housing
  • Limit eating out
  • Use the University’s athletic facility instead of costly private facilities
  • Buy used books
  • Seek summer employment and other sources of funding
  • Purchase school sponsored medical insurance
  • Utilize the free university shuttle service and reduce transportation costs
  • Take advantage of the law school’s computer lab

By making adjustments to your lifestyle now, you reduce the impact student loan payments will have on your lifestyle after you graduate. This should be part of your financial plan for law school.

Resources

  • MAX by AccessLex. RWU Law has partnered with AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to legal education, to bring you MAX by AccessLex, the personal finance program designed exclusively for law students - and available at no cost to you.
  • AccessConnex by AccessLex is the first service of its kind to provide on-demand, one-on-one loan repayment and financial education information to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Delivering clear, unbiased and accurate financial counseling, AccessConnex will help set you on a sound financial path.
  • Additional financial education resources from AccessLex are available here.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (401) 254-4510.

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.