Calculate bar exam-related expenses. Students should research the bar exam registration fee in the state where they wish to practice, because the bar exam filing fees vary by state. In addition to the bar exam registration fee, students may include bar review course costs, which range from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the type of course. In their budget calculations, law students may also include living expenses incurred while studying for the bar exam, if necessary.
Research bar exam loans and scholarships on the Internet. Many banks and other financial institutions offer private student loans to cover bar exam expenses. Finaid.org, an educational resource website, offers a list of banks and other financial institutions that offer private bar exam loans along with details about loan interest rates. Private loans also offer varied repayment options ranging from 15 to 30 years. Private bar exam loans offer varying interest rates of 3 to 13 percent, based on credit rating. Although many students use private bar exam loans to pay for bar-exam-related expenses, a small number of scholarships are available for these expenses. The American Bar Association offers a scholarship that provides partial payment for bar review courses. Additionally, some state bar associations, such as the California Bar Association, offer scholarships for bar-exam-related expenses. After researching bar exam loans and scholarships, select a bar exam loan or scholarship based on your budget and repayment needs; law students who borrowed money to pay for law school tuition and related expenses may need the 30-year extended repayment option.
Select a bar exam loan or scholarship. After researching, choose a bar exam loan based on your budget and repayment needs. After selecting the appropriate loan or scholarship, complete and submit the loan or scholarship application. Many private bar exam loans, such as the private loan offered by Citibank, may be submitted electronically at the lender's website. However, many scholarship applications, including the ABA partial scholarship, must be submitted using postal mail or delivery service after completion and signing.
Wait for check delivery. Unlike other types of financial aid, law students directly receive the bar exam loan or scholarship check from the lender or sponsor. However, following approval of the loan or scholarship, students typically wait two to three weeks for check processing and delivery.