This is important. The information provided below is applicable to individuals who applied for an LSAC Fee Waiver prior to September 3, 2024. If you’re interested in applying for an LSAC Fee Waiver today, or would like more information about the current eligibility guidelines, please visit Apply for an LSAC Fee Waiver.
Our fee waiver program is designed for prospective law students who are financially under-resourced, with the goal of increasing equity and access to legal education.
In order to increase the number of fee waiver applicants we can assist, the LSAC Fee Waiver Program is designed to recognize different levels of financial need. We have developed a two-tiered benefit system to assist applicants of varying economic circumstances in receiving fee waiver benefits.
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Are you eligible?
To be eligible for an LSAC fee waiver, you must either:
- Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.
- Be a U.S. national.
- Be a resident of either the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RFI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), or the Republic of Palau.
- Be a permanent resident alien of the U.S. with an Alien Registration Receipt Card (I-151 or I-551).
- Have temporary protected status in the U.S.
- Have been granted deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- Have applied for deferred action under DACA.
- Be seeking asylum in the United States through the affirmative asylum process and have filed Form I-589 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Be a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be a Protected Person/Convention Refugee in Canada.
You must complete a fee waiver application and provide supporting tax forms and other documentation, as requested by LSAC.
Please note: Applicants who have had an LSAC finding of misconduct or irregularity are not eligible for an LSAC fee waiver.
Fee Waiver Tiers and Income Eligibility (through September 2, 2024)
Under the two-tiered LSAC Fee Waiver Program, assuming all the other eligibility criteria are met:
- An independent applicant earning up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines may be eligible for the Tier 1 fee waiver package.
- An independent applicant earning 250-300% of the poverty guidelines may be eligible for the Tier 2 fee waiver package.
- A dependent applicant may be eligible for the Tier 1 fee waiver package if their income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and if their income combined with their parents’ income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- A dependent applicant may be eligible for the Tier 2 fee waiver package if their income does not exceed 200% of the poverty guidelines, and if their income combined with their parents’ income is between 300-350% of the poverty guidelines.
It is important to note that the fee waiver criteria also include maximum asset and cash balance levels and other factors LSAC may consider in its sole discretion, and the income levels outlined above do not guarantee approval. All applicants are required to complete an online application and provide documentation supporting their financial information and eligibility. We also maintain an appeals process to consider unusual or exceptional situations on a case-by-case basis.
This is important. Certain income-eligibility levels changed effective September 3, 2024. Please review Apply for an LSAC Fee Waiver if you are applying for a Fee Waiver today or would like more information about the current program.
Tier 1 Fee Waiver Package
Each approved Tier 1 LSAC fee waiver will waive the following fees:
| LSAC Service | Associated Fee (waived) |
|---|---|
| Two LSATs (test dates must fall within the two-year fee waiver period), including one LSAT Argumentative Writing | $476 value |
| One CAS registration, which includes the Letter of Recommendation Service and access to electronic applications for all LSAC-member law schools | $207 value |
| Six CAS Reports (available only after final approval of an LSAC fee waiver) | $270 value |
| One-year subscription to LawHub Advantage | $120 value |
| Score Preview for two LSATs — this service enables test takers to see their score before deciding whether to keep it as part of their LSAC record | $90 to $160 value |
| If you are eligible for LawReady™, one LawReady registration and one LawReady Certificate and Portfolio fee | $249 value |
No other LSAC fees will be waived. Fees previously paid cannot be waived retroactively, and no refunds will be issued.
Please note: Some law schools will waive their application fees for LSAC fee waiver recipients.
Tier 2 Fee Waiver Package
Each approved Tier 2 LSAC fee waiver will waive the following fees:
| LSAC Service | Associated Fee (waived) |
|---|---|
| One LSAT (test date must fall within the two-year fee waiver period), including one LSAT Argumentative Writing | $238 value |
| One CAS registration, which includes the Letter of Recommendation Service and access to electronic applications for all LSAC-member law schools | $207 value |
| Three CAS Reports (available only after final approval of an LSAC fee waiver) | $135 value |
| One-year subscription to LawHub Advantage | $120 value |
| Score Preview for one LSAT — this service enables test takers to see their score before deciding whether to keep it as part of their LSAC record | $45 to $80 value |
| If you are eligible for LawReady™, one LawReady registration and one LawReady Certificate and Portfolio fee | $249 value |
No other LSAC fees will be waived. Fees previously paid cannot be waived retroactively, and no refunds will be issued.
Please note: Some law schools will waive their application fees for LSAC fee waiver recipients.
How to Apply for a Fee Waiver
Apply for a fee waiver through your LSAC JD account.
You will need to upload copies of all documentation supporting your fee waiver application to your LSAC JD account. This documentation must be uploaded no later than 45 days after submitting your application online. If we do not receive the required supporting documentation within 45 days, your application will be canceled. (However, in most cases, your application can be reinstated after all required documentation is received.)
Documentation requirements vary based on your citizenship status. Please follow the guidelines below.
U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, and Permanent Resident Aliens of the U.S.
- All tax documents supporting your fee waiver application, including all federal income tax schedules filed with the Form 1040. These include:
- Schedule 1 (Additional Income and Adjustments to Income)
- Schedule 2 (Additional Taxes)
- Schedule A (Itemized Deductions)
- Schedule B (Interest and Ordinary Dividends)
- Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Profit or Loss from Business | Sole Proprietorship)
- Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses)
- Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Losses)
- Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming)
- Schedule J (Income Averaging for Farmers and Fishermen)
- The Verification of Nonfiling Letter from the IRS — if you were not required to file a federal tax return. More information about this documentation is available at 2024-2025 Verification of Nonfiling Instructions.
Applicants with Temporary Protected Status in the U.S.
- Your Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821)
Applicants Who Have Been Granted (or Applied for) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Upload one of the following:
- Your DACA Approval Notice (Form I-797, Notice of Action)
- Your DACA Application Receipt (Form I-797C, Notice of Action)
- Your U.S. Employment Authorization Card (showing category #C33 indicating your eligibility through DACA)
Applicants Seeking Asylum in the United States through the Affirmative Asylum Process
- Verification that you are seeking or have been granted asylum in the U.S. — upload either:
- Your Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal form (Form I-589) and your “Acknowledgment of Receipt” from USCIS.
- Your U.S. Employment Authorization Card (showing category #C08 indicating your eligibility through asylum)
- Copies of your most recent paystubs (if applicable)
Residents of either the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RFI), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), or the Republic of Palau
Upload one of the following:
- Your driver’s license
- Your passport
- Your state ID
- Your U.S. Employment Authorization Card (showing category #A08 indicating you are a resident of either the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and Protected Persons/Convention Refugees in Canada
- All tax documents supporting your fee waiver application (i.e., Notice of Assessment for the applicant, and for the spouse or parents of the applicant, if applicable)
This is important.
All supporting documentation must be uploaded directly through your LSAC JD account. We can no longer accept fee waiver documentation submitted via email or postal mail.
The Approval Process
Once submitted, your online fee waiver application will be either conditionally approved or denied.
If Your Online Fee Waiver Application Is Conditionally Approved
Your LSAC file will be placed on hold while LSAC reviews your application and supporting documentation. The review process is usually completed within two to five business days after receipt of your supporting documentation. Even if your file is on hold, you may proceed to take the LSAT. However, your LSAT score will not be released to you or any law schools until your application is fully approved or, if denied, applicable fees are paid.
This is important. Please note that fees previously paid cannot be waived retroactively, and no refunds will be issued. We encourage you NOT to submit payment while you’re waiting for LSAC’s decision.
Final Approval
If review of your supporting documentation results in final approval for your fee waiver application, we will remove the hold from your LSAC file, which will enable your LSAT score to be released. In addition, all applicable, outstanding fees will be waived. Your fee waiver will be valid for two years from the date of LSAC’s conditional approval of the waiver.
Fee Waiver Application Is Denied
If a review of your supporting documentation results in your fee waiver application being denied, the hold will remain on your file if you used the conditionally approved fee waiver for any services. We will bill you for those services for which you registered. You have two options:
- Appeal the decision. You may appeal the decision once; appeal decisions are final. The hold will remain on your file while we review your appeal. The review process is usually completed within two weeks after receipt of your supporting documentation.
- Pay all applicable, outstanding fees. Once we receive payment, the hold will be removed from your file.
If Your Online Fee Waiver Application Is Denied
You may appeal the decision once; appeal decisions are final. If you choose to appeal, a hold will be placed on your file while we review your supporting documentation. The review process is usually completed within two weeks after receipt of your supporting documentation. Even if your file is on hold, you may proceed to take the LSAT. However, your LSAT score will not be released to you or any law schools until your application is fully approved or, if denied, applicable fees are paid.
This is important. Please note that fees previously paid cannot be waived retroactively, and no refunds will be issued. We encourage you NOT to submit payment while you’re waiting for LSAC's decision.
If your appeal is approved, we will remove the hold from your LSAC file, which will enable your LSAT score to be released. In addition, all applicable, outstanding fees will be waived. Your fee waiver will be valid for two years from the date of LSAC’s conditional approval of the waiver.
If your appeal is denied, you must pay all applicable, outstanding fees. Once we receive payment, the hold will be removed from your file.
This is important. To submit a fee waiver application, you are required to accept LSAC’s terms and conditions for the fee waiver program.
Why does LSAC offer fee waivers?
LSAC has established a fee waiver program to help avoid denial of access to legal education due to an inability to pay for the LSAT and other essential application services.
What is the process I must follow if applying for a fee waiver?
You can apply for a fee waiver through your LSAC JD account. Within 45 days of submitting your application, you will need to upload all documentation supporting your fee waiver application to your account. Documentation requirements vary based on your citizenship status. Review How to Apply for a Fee Waiver (above) for more details.
When should I apply for a fee waiver?
Law School Applicants
We recommend that you submit your completed fee waiver application to LSAC at least six months prior to the registration deadline for the LSAT administration you wish to take. Applying this early will allow you to maximize the benefit from the one-year LawHub Advantage subscription included in the fee waiver package.
If there are fewer than six months before the LSAT registration deadline, don't hesitate to apply. Please complete your fee waiver application as soon as you can. LSAC reviews completed fee waiver applications on a rolling basis and typically submits a decision within 2 to 5 business days.
LawReady Program Participants
Undergraduate students interested in LawReady need to first sign up for the program at their school. Once you’ve been approved by your school, you can apply for an LSAC fee waiver for LawReady students. You will need to apply for the fee waiver before completing your LawReady registration through your LSAC JD account.
What is offered to candidates granted a fee waiver?
A candidate who is granted a fee waiver will receive either Tier 1 or Tier 2 benefits depending on their determined level of need. Please review Fee Waiver Tiers (above) for more details.
What factors affect my fee waiver determination?
- Income, including wage, self-employed, unemployment, disability, and investment income (Income is evaluated within the context of federal poverty guidelines for U.S. candidates.)
- Assets, including cash, bonds, equities, and other financial instruments held in taxable accounts (Substantial cash balances and/or investment holdings will likely result in the denial of a fee waiver application, even if there is little to no income.)
- Dependents (number thereof)
- Housing expenses (rent or mortgage)
- Other factors LSAC may consider in its sole discretion to support law school candidates who are financially under-resourced
What if my fee waiver application is denied?
LSAC wants to make sure all relevant evidence of need is considered in granting fee waivers. If your fee waiver application is denied, you can appeal that decision. However, all appeal decisions are final. You will be eligible to reapply during the next fee waiver season (July through June).
If I received a fee waiver for LawReady, can I also use the waiver to apply for law school in the future?
LSAC fee waivers are valid for two years. If you are taking the LSAT and/or utilizing CAS within two years of registering for LawReady, your fee waiver will cover all of the service fees listed in the table above.
If you are applying to law school more than two years after registering for LawReady, you will need to apply for another LSAC fee waiver.
How does LSAC determine independent/dependent status?
Your dependency status is based on your answers in Section B of the fee waiver application. If you are deemed to be a dependent, you will be required to provide both your own and your parents’ tax documentation. LSAC’s determination of your dependency status may not be the same as the determination made by the IRS or other organizations.