Every student dreads the thought of paying back student loans, trying to offset the cost of school through scholarships, jobs and family support. For law students, the options are often limited.
With a tuition of $10,700 for Oregon residents and $13,170 for nonresidents, plus books and living expenses, there is no simple way for aspiring lawyers to easily absorb the costs. With the intense demand of law course work creating a conflict with most work schedules, law students must often bite the bullet and borrow from Uncle Sam.
“I’m taking out the full amount I can in loans,” said Sarah Angove, a University of Portland graduate. “My parents have basically paid my rent but I’m trying to do it by myself.”
Originally from Sublimity, Oregon, Angove expressed concern over the amount of debt she’ll incur before graduating from law school ­­ $60,000 from law school added to the $29,000 in loans from her undergraduate work. Angove described the complicated payment plan options she has, but added that it will “still be forever” before the loans are paid off.
Angove plans on working during the summer and hopes to get an internship that will last throughout the school year. She said that her specific career choice in the field of law will be affected by the amount of money it offers.
Justin Massey, a San Clemente native who recently finished off his undergraduate work at Brown University, will cover tuition with a combination of federal loans and loans from his parents. Massey plans to do a law-related internship during summer but has a Plan B for extra money.
“I have my own Web site design firm,” Massey said. He is also striving to place high enough in his class to receive scholarships for his second and third year of school to avoid incurring a large debt.
For Eugene native Carla Harcleroad, freshly graduated from Portland State University, federal financial aid is her provider of funds for the first year. With her parents assisting her with living expenses, Harcleroad said she plans on making borrowing a one time thing.
“I’m not nervous [about taking out a loan] because I have good family support,” said Harcleroad. “I probably won’t take out any more loans after this year.”
Jeffrey Erwin is also relying on government loans and family support to cover the costs of law school. The Colorado resident chose Oregon for school because of his interest in natural resources, but plans on working elsewhere during the summer to offset some of the costs of the school year.
“During the summertime I’d like to go to [Washington], D.C., and work for the Natural Resource Defense Council, the EPA or Congress,” Erwin said. “Basically, whatever I can get.”
Erwin said that the impending debt would have an effect on his career choice, limiting him from taking jobs that wouldn’t provide enough income to pay off his monthly loans on top of his other bills.
Nevada resident Jason dGuinasso is the rare exception to the average beginning law student. He and his wife ­­ an attorney for the Nevada Legislature ­­ will cover the costs themselves.
Guinasso was fortunate to receive a substantial sum from his father-in-law for the purpose of law school and will pay for the remainder of the costs of school with money he and his wife have saved in the past few years.
“It makes things tight but at least afterwards I won’t have a lot of debt,” Guinasso said.
While Guinasso studies here in Oregon, his wife will return with their 4-year-old son to Nevada. During the summer, he plans to utilize his contacts in the legal arena and return home to Nevada to work.