Financial Wellness

MAX by AccessLex: Financial Education for Law Students
All Law School students have access to a comprehensive, on-demand financial education program provided by AccessLex. This free resource provides online primers on topics like setting financial goals, budgeting, and retirement planning. Students can follow curated learning paths laid out by class year (1L, 2L, and 3L/LL.M.) or learn at their own pace and according to their individual interests. Online student loan calculators for current students, prospective students, and graduates also are provided, and students have the option to speak directly with a financial adviser. Though this service is free, registration is required. AccessLex is not currently a lender, and they do not originate loans.

• Learning Paths
  • 1L
  • 2L
  • 3L/LL.M.

• Resources by Topic
• Student Loan Calculators

iGrad: Financial Education for All Students
All students at Columbia University have access to iGrad, an award-winning financial literacy app, for life. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the broad range of resources that iGrad offers. Please visit the launch website for iGrad for additional information and resources, including Student FAQs.

Financing a Public Interest/Public Service Career
The Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS Office) has created a number of online resources for students and graduates considering a career in public interest, government, or human rights. Learn more at the PI/PS Office’s Financing Your Public Interest/Public Service Career page. 

Columbia Law School Funding Resource
A spreadsheet of internal and external funding opportunities (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, summer funding, grants, and loans) that are available to and/or exist specifically for Columbia Law School students. This resource is not exhaustive and will be updated periodically by the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers. Login with your Columbia UNI to view.

AccessLex Law School Scholarship Databank
Search nearly 800 scholarship opportunities and writing competitions, vetted by Acceslex and totaling over $3 million in aid.

Budget Adjustments
During the academic year, Financial Aid may adjust a student’s budget to accommodate educational expenses (e.g. repair/replace a broken laptop, travel to externship work, disability accommodation testing) or medical expenses. To request a budget adjustment, please review the detailed instructions on the Office of Financial Aid website.

Public Service Bridge Loan
J.D. graduates who are eligible for the Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) may apply for an LRAP-eligible Public Service Bridge Loan of up to $10,000 to assist with the financial costs of state bar registration, bar preparation courses, and living expenses. For more information or to apply for a Public Service Bridge Loan, visit the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers website.

Travel to Career Conferences
Limited funding is available to assist students traveling to certain career-related conferences. To apply for funding, complete the funding request form. Applicants will receive a reply within two business days and may be asked to provide additional information before a determination can be made regarding the request. All submissions are kept confidential to the essential offices handling the request.

Travel to Job Interviews

• Public Interest Employers
  Public interest employers typically do not pay for travel to interviews for full-time postgraduate positions. In cases where students are not in a position to cover unanticipated travel costs to interview, limited funding may be available. To apply for funding, complete the funding request form. Applicants will receive a reply within two business days and may be asked to provide additional information before a determination can be made regarding the request. All submissions are kept confidential to the essential offices handling the request.
• Private Sector Employers
  Law firms will reimburse students for interview travel expenses; please refer to the National Association for Law Placement travel expense reimbursement form for more details. Students may also request that the firm be billed directly for travel by contacting the travel agency. If you need any additional guidance, please contact your Office of Private Sector Careers counselor.
• Judicial Clerkships
  Current students or alumni who require urgent financial assistance to attend requisite in-person interviews for federal or state post-graduate judicial clerkships that are more than 50 miles outside of their principal area of residence, practice or study (as applicable) as of the date of their anticipated interview may apply for funding. Please complete the funding request form. Applicants will receive a reply within two business days and may be asked to provide additional information before a determination can be made regarding the request. All submissions are kept confidential to the essential administrative staff and relevant offices handling the request.

2L Public Interest Summer Supplemental Funding
The Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers offers some assistance with housing and relocation for 2L students who are working their second summer in public interest or public service. To apply for funding, complete the funding request form. Applicants will receive a reply within two business days and may be asked to provide additional information before a determination can be made regarding the request. All submissions are kept confidential to the essential offices handling the request. 

Interview Attire
The Office of Private Sector Careers has established a partnership with The Wardrobe. CLS students in need of professional interview attire are invited to connect with The Wardrobe for a free virtual meeting with a personal stylist, who will help you pick out a high quality, pre-loved outfit. Interested students should complete this form to receive more information. Please note: clothing will take approximately two weeks to arrive, so please complete the form as soon as possible to book your appointment.

Students experiencing unexpected financial need, including food and housing insecurity, may be eligible for additional assistance. To apply for emergency assistance, complete the funding request form. Applicants will receive a reply within five business days and may be asked to provide additional information before a determination can be made regarding the request. All submissions are kept confidential to the essential offices handling the request. The university also offers additional resources for students experiencing financial need.

• Student Computer Discounts (Apple and Dell)
• Bar Prep Public Interest/Public Service Matching Program: The Student Senate is offering a bar prep public interest matching program through Themis, Kaplan, and Barbri. Whether you are a firm-bound or a public interest/public service-bound student, please fill out this form to enroll in the program.
• CU Arts Initiative (Discounted tickets to theater, dance, and more)