Tuition and mandatory fees are waived for J.S.D. candidates in residence. However, the J.S.D degree is still a substantial investment, and one for which you should begin planning early. J.S.D. candidates are required to remain in residence for one year and may request to remain in residence an additional year (immediately following the first year of residence).
In many cases, based on financial need, we are able to offer J.S.D. candidates a small grant to help defray living costs during the first year in residence. If you wish to be considered for a living expenses grant, you must complete the financial aid section on your application for admission. This way, the admissions committee can determine the best financial aid package to award you. Because our financial aid funds are limited and our grants, when offered, will not cover the full extent of living costs in New York City, you should also seek assistance from other sources if you will require financial assistance to attend Columbia Law School.
If you do not submit an application for financial assistance with your application for admission, you will not be considered for financial aid, even if you request it after the admission deadline. If you later decide you do not need financial assistance, you may withdraw your financial aid application by sending an email to g[email protected].
If other funds become available to you, you must notify the Office of Graduate Degree Programs within seven days of learning of such an award. Since Columbia Law School offers financial assistance mostly on the basis of need, the Law School reserves the right to reduce the amount of any financial aid it has awarded in such a case.