Paying For Law School

Tuition & Fees (based on 30 credits)

*Tuition and fees are subject to modification by the Board of Regents and the University without notice.

Refund Policy

If a student completely withdraws from school, tuition and fees are 100% refundable before classes begin; 90% refundable during the first week of classes; 75% refundable during the second week of classes; 50% refundable during the third week of classes and nonrefundable after the third week of classes. The $60 application fee and $500 deposit are nonrefundable.

Financial Aid Budget

All financial aid starts with the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available on October 1 and should be submitted by February 15.

The following is based on the cost of attendance for the 2020-21 academic year for graduate students taking 12+ credits.

*An additional $1,214 is added to the Room and Board allowance for students with dependents other than a spouse.

Please visit the University of Montana's Financial Aid website for more information.

Other Expenses

Mandatory health insurance coverage, with the right of waiver, is required for all students. Health insurance is available through UM’s Student Insurance Plan.

Parking on campus is $248.50/year for the 2020-21 academic year.

A reasonable allowance for the purchase of a computer will be determined and considered by the financial aid office upon request. Any approved amount will be added to the financial aid budget.

Seat Deposit: Accepted applicants who wish to reserve a seat in the entering class must make a nonrefundable advance deposit of $300 by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. An additional deposit of $200 will be due by July 1st. Any applicants admitted after July 1st will pay a one-time $500 deposit. The deposit will be credited toward total University tuition and fees at the time of registration. Accepted applicants who do not pay the deposit by the deadline, have declined the offer of admission and any scholarship awarded.

Scholarships

For the 2020-21 academic year, the Blewett School of Law offered scholarships to 69% of the current first-year law students with an average award of $5,046 for residents and $12,905 for non-residents. 1L LSAT applicants are considered for scholarship without the need of a separate application. For a list of external scholarships, visit our Scholarships & Writing Competitions page.

Scholarship Retention Data

Residency

The Montana University System classifies all students as either in-state or out-of-state. This classification affects admissions decisions and fee determinations. The basic rules for making the classification are found in the Board of Regents' Policy. It is each student's responsibility to secure and review a copy of the policy. Failure to be aware of the rules will not be a cause for granting any exceptions to them.

With certain exceptions, in order to be eligible for in-state status, a person must meet a 12-month durational residency test. You will have to demonstrate a bona fide intent to become a Montana resident. The 12-month period does not start until some act indicative of an intent to establish residency is taken. Mere presence in Montana or enrollment at a unit will not serve to start this period. Sufficient acts to start the period are registration to vote, obtaining a Montana driver's license, registration of a motor vehicle in Montana, purchase of home in Montana, or filing of a resident Montana tax return. The 12 months must be completed by the fifteenth instructional day to qualify for that term.

For more information regarding residency, please see "Residency Information" on the Office of the Registrar's website.

We are committed to delivering the best possible legal education at a cost that will allow our graduates to pursue their career goals without the debt burden so many new lawyers carry.

The Blewett School of Law was named a 2021 Best Value Law School in National Jurist's preLaw Magazine and ranked fourth  in Best Value School's list of the 20 Most Affordable Law Schools in 2021 by Best Value Schools.

*Tuition and fees do not include cost of books, room and board, transportation, etc.