Financial Tools
Financial literacy is an essential part of planning and paying for law school. The links on this page are provided to facilitate sound financial decision-making.
Financial Strategies
12-Step Guide to Financial Success
Student Debt Relief, Equal Justice Works
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Build Your Own Budget
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Allocate your funds to avoid over-spending |
| Save on Spending |
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Be aware of your spending habits |
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Review your cost of living while you are in school |
| Borrow the Minimum |
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Never borrow more than you need |
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Plan carefully now to avoid overwhelming debt later |
| Manage your Loans Responsibly |
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Know the interest rates and terms of loans |
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Understand your loan obligation and repayment options |
| Develop and Maintain Good Credit |
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Read your statements carefully |
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Sign up for auto-debit to avoid late payments & fees |
| Avoid Financially Destructive Transactions |
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Get information on how to exercise your consumer protection rights |
Tools and Tutorials
Your Plan
PREPARING FOR LAW SCHOOL
Your Money
CNN Money - Money 101: Making a Budget
Financial Awareness Basics - Short podcasts on money-related topics for students
Money Matters for Students - Smart tips for establishing credit
Your Credit
Federal Citizen Information Center - U.S. Consumer action website
Federal Reserve - Choosing a credit card
Mapping Your Future - Advice for using your credit cards wisely
Federal Trade Commission - Information to help deter, detect, and defend against identity theft
Your Future
Monster Career Advice - Resume, interviewing and salary tips
Occupational Outlook Handbook - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
American Bar Association - Law student debt and loan repayment options
Department of Education - Cancel or discharge a student loan
Income Based Repayment and Loan Forgiveness - Information about new loan repayment options
Mapping Your Future - Understand loan cancellation, forgiveness, and discharge
Equal Justice Works - Student debt relief webinars
LOAN REPAYMENT CALCULATORS
Federal Loan Repayment Calculators - Student loan calculators for various repayment plans
FinAid! - Loan calculator can be used to calculate student loan, auto loan or mortgage payments
Mapping Your Future - Estimate your payments and learn about deferments and forbearance to manage your loan debt
LOAN STATUS INFORMATION
Federal Ombudsman Department - Help with resolving disputes & solving other student loan problems
National Student Clearinghouse - Verify current enrollment status
NSLDS Student Access - National Student Loan Data System from the U.S. Department of Education
Department of Education - What you need to know about repaying student loans
Debt/Salary Wizard - Decide how much you can borrow based on what you expect to earn
10 Steps for Managing Your Student Loan Debt - A national collaborative, free and neutral resource
