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Attending college is a big milestone that both parents and students look forward to for many months.

While this is a highly anticipated event, college move-in day can also be a very stressful and emotional day for both students and parents. Attending a college that is out of state can be another nerve-wracking factor.

Moving can be challenging, especially if it’s hot or you have to climb up several sets of stairs. Fortunately, there are several things you can do ahead of time over the summer that can help ensure the day goes as smoothly as possible.

Preparing for the Big Day

Getting organized beforehand is one surefire way to prepare for the big move as a college freshman. Here are a few ideas to help you and your child get ready for move-in day.

Getting Familiar with Dorm Room Rules

Being prepared and learning what the college dorms allow students to bring can relieve some potential headaches. Colleges typically post a list of items that students can bring and ones that are prohibited in the residence halls.

Sticking to the basics is a good start since your child can buy more items from a local store or have it shipped to them at a later date.

Recommended: College Essentials: What to Bring to College

Coordinating with Your Roommate

Recommend that your child contact their roommate over the summer and discuss their interests and what items each of them are bringing. This can be one way to help avoid bringing duplicates, especially for larger items like TVs or bean bags.

Another idea is to coordinate the time you are going to move in so you can assist each other during the process. This can also be helpful if the parents are interested in meeting each other.

Packing with Purpose

Packing for college can be a frustrating task, but one way to expedite the chore is to have your child label all the containers and boxes so you know what’s already packed and can easily find things once you arrive. If you have items that are more fragile, consider putting them into heavy plastic containers so they are less likely to be damaged during the move.

Also consider making a list of must-have items, to limit the chance that something important is forgotten. For example, bedding, computer, school supplies, a first aid kit, and basic tool kit — which can be extremely useful on move-in day.

If your child is attending a college that is out of state or in a different climate, you may have to build out a more weather-appropriate wardrobe. For instance, if your child is moving to a college in the Midwest from Florida, you might buy and pack weatherproof boots, jackets, scarves, gloves, and other clothing suited for colder temperatures.

If they are attending college in a warmer climate, consider packing more t-shirts and shorts and leave some of the sweatshirts and wool sweaters at home.

Recommended: College Planning Guide for Parents

Planning Travel Arrangements

Once you’ve organized and packed all of your child’s belongings, it’s time to decide how you’ll get everything to campus. This will likely depend on factors like how far away the school is.

Consider renting an SUV or a moving van if the university is within driving distance and you own a smaller vehicle. If you plan on driving, pack the car strategically, so items you’ll need first (like cleaning supplies), are easily accessible when you arrive.

If you’re planning to fly to the college, another strategy may be to mail some of the belongings to the residence hall ahead of time, if it is permitted.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

What to Expect on Move-In Day

While going to college is really exciting for your child and your family, consider limiting the number of people you bring with you on moving day. You know the saying “too many cooks in the kitchen,” well the same philosophy can apply to a move.

Having too many people could actually slow down or complicate the process. Plus, it’s likely that many students and their parents will all be in the residence halls at the same time. Dorm rooms can be pretty small and having more people in the space could create more chaos and tension.

Instead, consider planning a visit when there is more flexibility. Many colleges have a family weekend in the fall. This could provide an opportunity for a longer, more relaxing and fun visit, especially if grandparents, aunts, and uncles also want to tag along.

Since many students move in during late summer, it can help to be prepared for heat (and humidity, depending on the local climate). It’s likely going to be hot, especially if the residential dorm does not have central air conditioning and only window units or getting to a top floor requires traipsing up and down several flights of stairs.

Consider bringing a fan to help circulate some air while you get everything settled.

Doing all that heavy lifting is no easy task. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the move and bring another outfit to change into later as you tour the campus or grab dinner with your child.

Bringing water and snacks is generally a good idea too, especially if you are moving furniture and other heavier items. Putting the drinks in a cooler will help keep them cold, especially if the room does not have a refrigerator. Make sure you have enough for the roommate and their parents.

Determine whether the residence hall has a dolly or other items that you can borrow because they can help make the move easier. Signing up for those items early can help ensure that you can use them the day you move in. Otherwise, you can buy one from a local hardware store or split the costs with a roommate or another friend who is living in the same residence hall.

Students who have other friends who are also moving in during the same day might want to consider connecting beforehand so they can help each other move, especially bulky or heavier pieces of furniture.

During the unpacking process, your child might find that they brought too many personal belongings or packed things they either don’t actually need or don’t have room for.

For instance, if the roommate also brought a television and there is no room for two, you could pack yours up and take it home.

While you may be concerned about whether your child has enough necessities like sheets, toothpaste, and food, there are likely several stores on or near the campus.

If your student lives near a grocery or drugstore, they can buy other items later on or they can have the items delivered to them. Many retailers offer free shipping and stores at college campuses often have special offers suited for students.

Move-in day can be emotional, for everyone involved. As hard as it is to say goodbye, try not to hang around too long — let your child adjust to their new surroundings, hang out with their new roommate, make new friends in their residence hall, and get ready for their first day as a freshman.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

Considering SoFi Private Student Loans

As you gear up for move-in day, you may have other concerns, including how you’re going to cover the cost of your child’s education. Financing your child’s education is a large responsibility and can be complicated. While there are some ways to prepare for college, like filling out the FAFSA to apply for federal aid, some families do not receive enough to pay for tuition and room and board entirely.

After exhausting federal aid options, you might want to explore the option of private student loans. You can be the cosigner of your child’s application for a private student loan. You also have the option of taking out a private parent student loan. Just keep in mind that private student loans don’t offer the same protections, like government-sponsored forgiveness programs, that come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SOIS0723025

When you realize that the average tab for law school tuition approaches $50,000 a year (more than double the average cost of other graduate schools) you may wonder — how will I ever be able to pay for law school?

Fortunately, there are numerous programs that can cover part, or even all, of your legal education, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Read on to learn more about how to pay for law school without going broke.

Average Cost of Law School

The cost of law school will vary depending on where you study. According to educationdata.org, the average total cost of law school is $220,335.

Tuition alone runs, on average, $146,484 (or $48,828 per year), while living expenses average $73,851(or $24,617 per year).

And the cost of law school keeps going up. In fact, law school tuition costs have risen by about $5,350 every five years since 2005. Based on that inflation rate, the average yearly cost of tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is expected to be $51,624.

Private and Public Law School Tuition

Public law schools generally run about $21,130 a year less per year than private law schools. If you attend a traditional three-year law program, the gap between public and private schools increases to around $63,380.
Based on tuition alone, the most expensive law school is Columbia University at $78,278 a year, while the least expensive is University of Memphis at $12,208 a year.

However, when you include living expenses, the most expensive law school is Stanford University, ringing in at $46,233 a year, while the least costly school is Oklahoma City University, at $12,600 a year for tuition and living expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

How to Pay for Law School

1. Apply for Federal Aid, Grants, and Scholarships

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows you to find out whether you qualify for federal grants, work-study programs, federal student loans, as well as student aid from your state or school.

The FAFSA may be a familiar presence since your undergrad days, but now you may be considered an independent student. You may be eligible for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan (current rate: 7.05%), Direct PLUS Loan (current rate: 8.05%), or the federal work-study program.

Keep in mind that the aggregate federal student loan limit, which includes federal loans for undergraduate study, is $138,500 for graduate or professional students.

Law schools also typically offer some form of need-based financial aid based on information you provide on your FAFSA.

In addition to submitting the FAFSA, you may also want to seek out law school scholarships and grants from non-government sources. Grants and scholarships can be particularly helpful because they don’t require repayment. The Law School Admission Council’s website is a good resource for possible scholarship opportunities.

If you’re going into public interest law, you may also want to research the many programs that offer tuition assistance or law school loan forgiveness for working in eligible legal areas.

You can also check whether your school offers graduate student assistantships, which would cover some of your tuition in exchange for helping with research or teaching.

Recommended: Guide to Law School Scholarships

2. Consider a Part-Time Job or Temp Work

It can be challenging to make a side job jibe with your academic responsibilities, but if you can manage it, making some money while you’re still in school can be one of the best ways to reduce the debt you take on.

It might be a good idea to see if you can get a job that also boosts your résumé, such as working for a professor or as a paralegal.

Even if you can’t commit to a consistent job, you might consider temping during breaks, slow periods, and summers. A staffing agency may be able to quickly set you up with work that lasts just a few weeks or months. Short-term work can include customer service, data entry, or serving as an executive assistant.

If you have additional skills, such as a background in accounting or IT, you may be able to qualify for more specialized roles that demand higher pay. Some temp agencies even specialize in staffing for legal organizations.

3. Attend Law School Part Time

It’ll take longer to complete your degree, but working full time while you go to law school part time is another way to support yourself as you go.

Part-time programs usually allow you to earn your J.D. in four years rather than three. The downside is that you might miss out on opportunities such as clinics, summer clerkships, and student organizations.

4. Look Into Military Aid

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has many educational benefit programs. One of the most popular is the Post-9/11 GI Bill program (Chapter 33), which provides eligible veterans and members of the Reserves with funding for tuition, fees, books, and housing.

Law schools that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program provide additional funding to veterans, or their children, who are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs matches these schools’ contribution, which could potentially help you to attend law school at a significantly reduced price.

Recommended: What Are Student Loans for Military Dependents?

5. Think About Private Student Loans or Refinancing

After grants, scholarships, and federal student loans, you may want to consider a private student loan to fill any gaps. If you have good or excellent credit (or can recruit a cosigner who does), you may be able to get a lower rate than some federal graduate school loans.

If you have loans from your undergraduate education or your first year or two of law school, refinancing your student loans with a private lender may allow you to take advantage of a lower interest rate and, depending on the loan term you choose, could lower your monthly payment or put you on track to repay your loans faster. (Note: You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.)

Just keep in mind that private student loans don’t offer the same protections you get with federal loans, such as forbearance, income-based repayment plans, and loan forgiveness programs. However, some private refinance lenders provide flexible options while you’re in school or experiencing economic hardship.


💡 Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

Paying for Bar Exam Expenses

Sitting for the bar exam, a two-day affair, requires preparation (and often a bar review course), exam registration fees, and possibly travel expenses.

You may want to hunt around for bar preparation scholarships to help cover these costs. If you’re working for a law firm, your employer will usually cover the cost of the prep course. And many firms will pay review course fees for prospective employees.

Still, if you find yourself short, you could take out a “bar loan” in your final semester of law school or up to a year after graduating. A bar loan is a type of private loan you can use to cover all the costs associated with taking the bar. While rates can be high, they are generally lower than what you would pay with a credit card.

Recommended: What to Do After You Graduate From Law School

The Takeaway

While earning a law degree may lead to a lucrative career, figuring out how to pay for law school can be challenging. The good news is that there are numerous programs, including financial aid, work-study, scholarships, grants, and loans that can help you cover the cost of your legal degree.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.