Financial Literacy

• Video: "The Road to Zero" Financial Aid Workshop
  • AccessLex Institute presentation on managing student loan debt (UDC Law, March 2017).
• Video: Preparing Financially for the Bar Workshop
  • PNC presentation on managing your finances after graduation (UDC Law, March 2017).
• Financial Education Resources for Students
  • Financial literacy information from the non-profit AccessLex Institute targeted specifically toward law, graduate and professional students.
• National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
  • Use the NSLDS to view your Federal Student Loan History.
• Monitor Your Credit
  • Federal law allows you to request a free credit report once every 12 months from the three largest consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion. AnnualCreditReport.com is the official website for requesting these reports.
• Loan Repayment Calculators
  • Mapping Your Future offers several calculators to assist students in managing their money.
• Create and Follow a Budget
  • Mint is a popular, free, on-line budgeting tool. Budgeting wisely - and sticking to your budget - means less debt.
• IRS: Tax Benefits for Education
  • Different types of financial assistance for education may impact your (or your spouse's, parent's, or guardian's) federal taxes.

Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Programs

• Equal Justice Works' Student Debt Relief Resources
  • Resources on student debt relief programs and how they work, including the free e-book "Take Control of Your Future: A Guide to Managing Your Student Debt."
• DoughRoller's "Ultimate Guide to Eliminating Your Law School Debt"
  • A guide to law school debt written by someone with firsthand experience in accumulating (and eventually paying off) law school student loans. Includes a curated list of loan forgiveness programs, by state.
• DC Bar Foundation Loan Repayment Program
  • Lawyers providing direct legal services at any non-profit DC civil legal services provider are eligible for loan repayment assistance.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • The federal College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a Direct Loan forgiveness program for employees of certain types of government, non-profit and public service organizations who make 120 qualifying monthly payments.
• Federal Government Employees
  • The Federal student loan repayment program permits agencies to repay Federally insured student loans as a recruitment or retention incentive for candidates or current employees of the agency.

Additional Resources

• Veterans' Education Benefits
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' overview of education benefits available to veterans and their families.
• Outside Scholarship Resources
  • A list compiled by the School of Law of law student scholarship programs offered by various organizations.