Applying to HLS as a First-Generation or Low-Income Student

Harvard Law School welcomes applications from students who identify as first-generation and/or low-income college students. Below, you will find profiles of first-generation HLS students, along with mentorship, financial, and academic resources that may be helpful as you explore the Harvard Law School community.

Application Considerations

The application for the J.D. Program at Harvard Law School includes a box on the application form for students to share if they identify as a first-generation college student, and whether they are or were eligible for a federal need-based Pell Grant at any time during their undergraduate enrollment.

You are welcome to check those boxes and share any further information in your Written Statements or an addendum.

Application Resources

J.D. Admissions Events

The J.D. Admissions Office typically organizes events for first-generation students to learn more about the application process. View our Connect with Admissions page for a list of upcoming events.

Harvard Law School Application Fee Waiver

LSAC/CAS Application Fee Waiver

Applicants who lack the financial resources to pay the $90.00 HLS application fee, and who would experience economic hardship if required to pay that fee, may complete this form to request a fee waiver.

The HLS Fee Waiver Request Form typically opens on September 1 and closes on February 1.

Learn More

The application fee is waived for applicants who have been approved through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Fee Waiver Program.

If you are granted an LSAC Fee Waiver, we do not require the additional completion of our HLS Fee Waiver Request Form. You will not see the waiver until you come to the check-out page right before submitting the application.

Learn More

The Power of Mentorship as a First-Generation Student

Across student organizations at HLS, there are immense opportunities to find mentorship. Almost every student group from First Class to the Women’s Law Association offers a formal mentorship program.

Read More

Harvard Law School Resources

Day 0

“Day 0” is an in-person program held during Orientation for 1Ls focused primarily on supporting students with no prior exposure to law school or the legal industry through familial connections or other avenues.

Learn More About Day 0

First Class

First Class is an inclusive and intersectional space for first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds to share and affirm our experiences, advocate for our communities, attend to our well-being, advance accessibility within the legal profession, and support our career aspirations

Connect with First Class

FAQs

  • What is tuition at Harvard Law School? Is financial aid available?

    Please refer to the Standard Student Budget to review an estimate of total cost, including living expenses, and tuition for the current academic year.

    Financial aid at Harvard Law School is exclusively need-based; there are no merit scholarships available. All students, including domestic and international students, who demonstrate financial need according to a combination of federal and institutional guidelines receive adequate financial assistance to complete their course of study. For more information about financial aid, visit the HLS Student Financial Services Office website.

  • When should I apply for financial aid?

    You cannot begin to apply for financial aid at HLS until you receive an offer of admission. For a broad overview of the entire financial aid application process, please review the Apply for Aid section of the Student Financial Services website.

  • What is the best “pre-law” curriculum? How does one prepare for law school?

    Harvard Law School considers applications from all undergraduate majors. There are no fixed requirements with respect to the content of pre-legal education. The nature of a candidate’s college work, as well as the quality of academic performance, are reviewed in the selection process. However, in preparing for law school, a broad college education is usually preferable to one that is narrowly specialized. The Admissions Committee looks for a showing of thorough learning in a field of your choice, such as history, economics, government, philosophy, mathematics, science, literature or the classics (and many others), rather than a concentration in courses given primarily as vocational training.