Financing Your LL.M. as an International Student
Pursuing an LL.M. degree in the United States requires careful financial planning. International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans, and employment during study is limited by U.S. immigration regulations.
Most international LL.M. students finance their studies through a combination of:
- Personal or family funds
- Partial tuition scholarships from the law school
- Private educational loans
- Government or foundation scholarships from their home country
Temple Law LL.M. Scholarships
Temple Law offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships to international LL.M. students.
- Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need.
- Awards are determined together with the admissions decision.
- Scholarship funds may be applied to tuition only and may not be used for living expenses.
Students who wish to be considered for a scholarship must complete the financial aid questionnaire included in the LL.M. application.
As funding is limited, applicants should not rely solely on receiving a scholarship when planning to enroll.
Please note: The Temple Law LL.M. program does not offer assistantships (TA), research assistantships (RA), fellowships, or other forms of institutional funding. LL.M. students are fully responsible for all tuition, mandatory fees, health insurance, and living expenses for the duration of the program.
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Private Educational Loans for International Students
International students are not eligible for U.S. federal student loans. However, some private lenders offer loans to international graduate students.
Two types of private loans:
- Loans Requiring a U.S. Co-Signer: Many U.S.-based lenders require a credit-worthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer.
- Loans Without a U.S. Co-Signer: Some specialized lenders offer loans without a U.S. co-signer. Approval and loan limits are determined directly by the lender.
Examples of lenders or resources:
- Prodigy Finance
- MPOWER Financing
- eduPASS (information resource)
Students are responsible for reviewing interest rates, repayment terms, eligibility, and total borrowing costs directly with the lender.
Employment During the LL.M. Program
Students on F-1 visas are subject to employment restrictions:
- On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
- Employment income is not sufficient to cover tuition or living expenses.
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) occurs after graduation and cannot be used to fund the LL.M. program itself.
International students should not rely on employment income to finance their studies.
External Scholarships and Government Funding
Many international LL.M. students receive funding from sources in their home countries. Applicants are encouraged to explore:
- Government-sponsored scholarship programs
- Employer sponsorship
- National education funds
- International fellowship programs such as the Fulbright Program
Applicants should begin researching external funding early, as some programs have deadlines 12–18 months before enrollment.
Additional resources
- Consult the EducationUSA office in your home country to explore additional funding and scholarship options.
- Additional law-related scholarship databases are available through organizations such as AccessLex Institute.
Eligibility for external scholarships varies by country and citizenship.
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
If you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise eligible for federal student aid, please visit the Temple Law Financial Aid website for complete information regarding federal and private student loans: https://law.temple.edu/resources/financial-aid/loans/
Contact Information
For questions regarding scholarships, loans, or financial documentation, please contact:
Office of Graduate & International Programs
+1 (215) 204-1448
intllaw@temple.edu