Student Expense Budgets

In determining eligibility for all financial aid programs, including supplemental loans, we begin with a student expense budget. This budget includes mandatory tuition and fees and an allowance for books, supplies, and living expenses.

As most students utilize loans to assist them in meeting the cost of education it is important that all applicants try to manage their costs to the best of their ability to minimize the amount that may have to be borrowed.

2011/2012 First-Year Student Expense Budget

2011/2012 Upper-Level Student Expense Budget

Items Not Covered

Federal regulations mandate that the student expense budget only include education-related expenses. The Living Allowance and Transportation Allowance is $2000 per month.  Budgets cannot be increased for students whose personal living and transportation expenses are more than $2000. Students living at home with their parents will have a monthly budget of $685 per month for personal living and transportation expenses. There are many items that student incorrectly assume are included in the student expense budget. Items not covered are:

Consumer Debt: The budget does not allow for consumer debt such as monthly credit card payments.

Automobile Expenses: Within the living allowance is an allowance for transportation costs. This moderate expense does not really allow for car payments, insurance costs and parking. Students should examine their need for an automobile while attending law school.

Moving Expenses: Students moving into the Boston area from outlying areas may incur moving expenses. These can not be built into the student expense budget.

Bar Expenses: While expenses related to taking the Bar Exam are not allowed to be added into the student expense budget, there are lenders who do provide loans to assist in meeting these costs. As students prepare to graduate, additional information on these programs is available in our office.

Budget Increases

Direct Costs of Obtaining a First Professional License (third year only):

This allowance may be provided one time per student to pay for both the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) and the bar examination fees. These fees must be paid during a period of enrollment and not after, even if the exam is after the end of the period of enrollment. You must provide documentation of paid fees. This does not include fees paid for any bar preparation course.  Students must bring documented receipts to the Office of Financial Aid during their enrollment period in order to obtain a budget increase.

Computer Purchase: 

Budgets can be increased one time during a student’s tenure for a computer purchase.  Students must provide documentation of payment for the computer to the financial aid office. The maximum allowed for a computer purchase budget increase is $2000.

Childcare Expenses: 

Budgets may be increased for certain dependent childcare/daycare expenses. Documentation of expenses must be submitted to the financial aid office. Students should contact the office directly to discuss which specific childcare expenses would warrant a budget increase.