Admissions & Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for law school is a huge step, and you're sure to have many questions along the way. In order to make your initial experience at Valparaiso University School of Law seamless, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions for your review.
These include admission requirements, housing options, cost of attendance, and financial aid availability. If you still have questions or concerns after reading the answers, please feel free to contact us at the numbers listed below.
What is the "ICLEO" program?
The Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity assists minority, low-income and educationally disadvantaged college graduates in pursuing a legal education at one of Indiana's four law schools and becoming members of the Indiana legal community.
Do law students live on campus?
There is no graduate housing available on campus. However, there is a wealth of housing options near campus and throughout Valparaiso. The Admissions Office completes a housing handbook each spring to assist students in their housing search. More information about housing.
What types of financial aid are available?
Financial aid is available to students in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, and work study. Merit-based scholarships for incoming 1L students are determined at the time of admission. Returning students are considered for merit-based awards after they have completed one year of full-time study. For more information, contact the Admissions office about First-Year scholarships; for additional financial aid information, contact Ann Weitgenant, our Assistant Director of Student Financial Planning.
What's Valparaiso Law's accreditation?
Valparaiso University School of Law is accredited by the ABA (1929) and by the AALS (1930).
What's Valparaiso University School of Law's affiliation with Valparaiso University?
The School of Law is one of the six colleges of Valparaiso University, an independent university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. Valparaiso University was founded in 1859 and has an enrollment of 3,800. The university, in particular the law school, welcomes individuals of all religious faiths and life styles.
What research resources can I count on?
The law library is a United States Government Depository, which contains 350,000 volumes in hard copy and microforms. The library also has over 1,200 periodicals and a full complement of electronic resources, including Lexis-Nexis, WestLaw, HeinOnline, and more. Six full-time librarians are on staff and the building is open 111 hours per week.
How much does a Valparaiso University School of Law education cost?
For the most recent academic year, tuition for full-time students was $30,510 plus a $698 student fee. For part-time students, tuition is $1196 per credit hour plus a $376 student fee.
After applying for federal aid the total immediate out-of-pocket cost per semester for many of our full-time students will be a little over $5,000. Of course, if a student receives a scholarship, their out-of-pocket expenses will be less.
Other than tuition and fees, the total cost of attendance is in your control. As a guideline, we have devised the following as a standard law student budget for one academic year (these are the figures we use to award financial aid).
- Room: $5,000 (all law students live off-campus)
- Board: $2,300
- Books: $1,200
- Misc./Personal: $1,000
- Transportation: $1,350
- Loan Fee: $260
The total budget for a full-time student (adding tuition, fees, and the budgeted items listed above) is $42,318.
Can I get practical experience at Valparaiso Law?
Practical experience is one of Valparaiso Law's real strengths. In addition to our skills-based courses and externships, we run our own "law firm"-an in-house clinic that represents clients in real cases in six practice areas: civil, criminal, domestic violence, tax, mediation, and juvenile.
What are Valparaiso Law's Admission requirements?
Valparaiso Law admissions is a holistic approach, the LSAT and GPA are not the sole factors considered. Valpo Law is highly selective, students are admitted based on the completed application, essay, two letters of recommendation, your undergraduate GPA, and your LSAT score. A $60 application fee is required. LL.M. admission is based on your completed application and essay, certification of prior course work, letters of recommendation, notarized statement of financial support, and proof of English proficiency. The LL.M. application fee is $60.
What are first-year Valparaiso Law students' average GPA and LSAT score?
The median GPA for first-year Valparaiso Law students in 2007 is 3.47 and the median LSAT score is 151.
What is enrollment?
We have 565 law students (counting all programs, full-time and part-time) enrolled.
What technology resources are available on campus?
We operate a wireless network service, which means that any law student with a laptop and wireless network card can access the network from anywhere in the building. We have two computer labs in the Law Library for general student use. All law school network features are available in the labs. The Law Clinic has a third computer lab dedicated to students enrolled in the clinical program. In addition, every law student is provided free e-mail and dial-up service from their home or apartment (through which they can access legal research programs). The services of the university computing centers are also available for law students.
Are there counseling services available to Valparaiso students?
The Student Counseling and Development Center is located on LaPorte Avenue, behind Miller Hall (Education Building), between LeBien Hall (College of Nursing) and Porter Memorial Hospital. You can reach the center at 464-5002. Individual and group counseling sessions are available to all full-tme undergraduate and law Valparaiso University students. Part-time students may be seen for an assessment and referral on a time-available basis.
Also, Joseph Baruffi, Director of Student Services, is available to counsel students on any matter relating to student life at Valparaiso Law.
What health insurance coverage is available for law students?
Basic coverage is provided to all enrolled students. Most single law students find the basic plan sufficient. There are several supplemental plans available as well to meet your particular needs. Check out the details on the Health Insurance page.