Funding Your Legal Education
We understand that a law school education is a significant expense. Bowen charges less tuition and fees than most law schools and ranks as one of the law schools where alumni have the least amount of debt. There are also other ways to fund your legal education at Bowen.
Scholarships
Bowen automatically considers all admitted applicants for scholarships.
Incoming students are considered or can qualify for William H. Bowen Scholarships. These are full-tuition awards. Recipients have exceptional academic credentials, strong LSAT scores, and demonstrated leadership qualities. Recipients will exhibit the abilities to excel in the classroom while also taking active roles as leaders within the law school community. Full-tuition scholarships are extremely competitive.
Work-Study Programs
The Federal Work-Study Program provides funds earned through part-time employment to assist students in funding their post-secondary education. UA Little Rock has a limited amount of work-study funds available to law students. For more information, contact the UA Little Rock Office of Financial Aid at 501-916-3035.
Please remember that Bowen students who wish to clerk in courts, government agencies, and firms have opportunities to work year-round, not only in the summer months. (In fact, Bowen students work in such settings at double the national average for US law schools.)
There are also a limited number of campus jobs available for students, such as in our law library.
Federal Loans
Eligible law students may borrow up to $20,500 annually through the Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program. Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need. The student is responsible for paying the interest on these loans. Students may defer the interest payments while they are in school, but interest will continue to accrue throughout the life of the loan, and will be capped and added to principal at the end of the deferment period.
Eligible law students with an unmet Cost of Attendance may borrow through the Direct Graduate PLUS Loan Program. The student is responsible for paying the interest on these loans. Students may defer the interest payments while they are in school, but interest will continue to accrue throughout the life of the loan, and will be capped and added to principal at the end of the deferment period.
A Graduate PLUS loan requires approval by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Approval is based on credit history. If you have an adverse credit history, you may still receive a Graduate PLUS Loan if you obtain an endorser (co-signer) with an acceptable credit history. In some cases, you may be able to obtain a Graduate PLUS Loan if you satisfactorily document to the USDE that there are extenuating circumstances related to your adverse credit history. If you are subsequently approved for a PLUS loan after securing an endorser or appealing your denial status, you will be required to complete additional loan counseling before you can receive your loan funds.
To apply for any federal student loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed annually, and the new application for the upcoming school year is available on October 1. The school code for the UA Little Rock is 001101. You will need an FSA ID in order to sign your FAFSA electronically.
Private Loans
Private education loan programs are available for students who are not eligible for the federal loan programs and who need additional assistance in meeting their Cost of Attendance. Private education loans are typically more expensive, have fewer repayment options than federal loans, and information is subject to frequent change. For current details, contact the UA Little Rock Office of Financial Aid at 501-916-3035.
If you are applying for loans, apply early and submit all required information well before the deadline. Complete a private loan counseling session with the UA Little Rock Financial Aid Office. This can even be done virtually.
Detailed information about applying for financial aid is available through:
Loan Forgiveness
Students who obtain certain types of public service employment after graduation may obtain loan forgiveness under the terms of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. In addition, the following resources may help with loan forgiveness programs:
Contact UA Little Rock’s Financial Aid Office
Donaldson Student Services Center, 2nd floor
2801 South University Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
Phone: 501-916-3035
Fax: 501-916-3956
Email: financialaid@ualr.edu
