Which Law Schools Are Most Likely to Yank Merit‑Based Financial Aid?

Merit‑based financial aid is a major factor for many law school applicants, especially as tuition continues to rise. But not all scholarships are created equal—and at some law schools, merit aid can be reduced or even revoked if students fail to meet certain academic requirements. Understanding which schools are more likely to pull funding can help you make smarter enrollment decisions and avoid unpleasant surprises.

This blog explains the patterns, risk factors, and strategies applicants should know before committing to a law school offer.

🎓 Why Law Schools Revoke Merit Aid

Law schools use merit scholarships to attract strong applicants and boost their rankings. But because grades in the first year of law school are curved, not everyone can meet the GPA thresholds tied to their scholarships. This creates a built‑in risk that some students will lose funding.

Schools that rely heavily on merit aid often use it strategically—sometimes aggressively—to shape their incoming class.

⚠️ Which Law Schools Are Most Likely to Reduce or Revoke Merit Aid?

While individual policies vary, certain types of schools are more likely to pull merit‑based aid:

1. Schools With Strict GPA Cutoffs

Some law schools require students to maintain a specific GPA (e.g., 3.0 or 3.2) to keep their scholarships. Because 1L grades are curved, only a portion of the class can realistically meet that threshold.

2. Schools With Large Merit‑Aid Budgets

Institutions that award many scholarships often expect a percentage of students to lose them. This allows the school to “recycle” funds for future classes.

3. Schools Below the Top 50

While not universal, many mid‑tier and lower‑ranked schools rely more heavily on merit aid to compete for applicants. These schools are more likely to attach strict conditions to scholarships.

4. Schools With Conditional Scholarships

Any school that uses the term “conditional” or “renewal requirements” in its award letter is signaling that aid can be reduced or revoked.

5. Schools With Historically High Scholarship Loss Rates

Some law schools have been reported—through ABA disclosures—to have higher percentages of students losing merit aid after 1L. Applicants should always check the most recent ABA 509 reports for exact figures.

📊 How to Check a Law School’s Scholarship Risk

Every ABA‑accredited law school must publish a 509 Information Report, which includes:

• Number of students receiving conditional scholarships
• Number of students who lost scholarships
• GPA requirements for renewal

This is the most reliable way to assess your risk before enrolling.

🛡️ How Applicants Can Protect Themselves

1. Read the Fine Print

Understand exactly what GPA or class‑rank requirement is tied to your scholarship.

2. Compare Conditions Across Schools

A slightly lower scholarship at a school with no GPA requirement may be safer than a larger award with strict conditions.

3. Ask About Historical Loss Rates

Admissions offices can provide context about how many students typically lose aid.

4. Consider the Curve

If a school requires a 3.0 but the median GPA is 2.9, the risk is built in.

5. Negotiate When Possible

Some schools may remove conditions if you present competing offers.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Merit‑based financial aid can make law school far more affordable—but only if you keep it. Schools with strict GPA requirements, large merit‑aid budgets, or conditional scholarships pose the highest risk for revoking aid. By researching policies, reviewing ABA 509 reports, and asking the right questions, you can make a financially sound decision and avoid unexpected tuition increases.

A smart applicant doesn’t just compare scholarship amounts—they compare scholarship security.