Student Loans
Student loans are offered by the Canadian and US governments to help students pay for their post-secondary education. Your eligibility is based on many factors including income, assets, tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Visit UBC Student Services for more information about student loans and how to apply. If you still have questions, you can email an Enrolment Service Professional to discuss your situation more in-depth.
Professional Lines of Credit
Most Law students will have access to professional student lines of credit, many with favourable terms on interest, lending limits, and repayment schedules.
Many financial institutions offer lines of credit and the following banks have developed banking packages specifically for Law students.
Post-graduation Debt Repayment Assistance - Pilot Program
The Post-graduation Debt Repayment Assistance (PGDRA) pilot program is a supplement to the law school’s student financial aid program, intended to help Allard Law JD students and recent graduates make career choices that are free from debt-induced pressure. PGDRA provides support for recent graduates from the JD program who are using their legal education to contribute society and who demonstrate need in repaying loans incurred to support their law degree. Applicants qualify for a PGDRA benefit based on a needs assessment that considers individual circumstances, including income, debt load, cost of living and family size.
Funded Opportunities
We understand that attending conferences or participating in enrichment opportunities — like internships — isn't always financially viable for all students. To help alleviate some of this burden, we have several funding opportunities.
Current students should visit the Student Portal Funding page to view all funding opportunities and information for how to apply.
Allard School of Law Career Services Office
The Career Services Office (CSO) is a dedicated in-house team that supports law students in their professional development and career-related goals. Among many other career related services, the CSO can assist you with securing articling positions, clerkships, summer positions, part-time work during law school, and permanent employment.
Work Learn
JD students are eligible for the UBC Work Learn program which provides meaningful work experiences on campus and help you develop your professional skills in a work environment.
Other Employment Opportunities
To find additional information on employment opportunities on or off campus, please visit UBC Student Career Services for student job boards.
RRSP Lifelong Learning Plan
If your or spouse or common-law partner have a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), the Lifelong Learning Plan allows you to use your RRSPs to finance your education. You are able to withdraw up to $10,000 per year from your RRSPs, to a total of $20,000. All withdraws must be repaid within 10 years.
Emergency Funding
If you are facing unexpected financial distress or have had a significant change to your financial situation, UBC has several options, including bursaries and short-term loans. Email the Law’s team of Enrolment Services Advisors to schedule a confidential advising appointment to assess your financial situation and get advice on the best course of action for your situation. To be considered for emergency funding, you must demonstrate that all other possible sources of support have been explored. All requests are determined on a case-by-case basis.