An LSAC fee waiver can cover your LSAT, your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) subscription, and several law school reports. If you qualify, it can save you well over $700 before you even pay an application fee.
This guide explains who qualifies, what each tier includes, what documents you need, and the steps to unlock your benefits. All numbers come from LSAC’s fee waiver rules for the current program. LSAC can change them, so check lsac.org before you apply.
What Does the LSAC Fee Waiver Cover?
LSAC has two fee waiver tiers. Your income decides which one you get.
| Benefit | Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| LSAT registrations (each includes Argumentative Writing and Score Preview) | 2 | 1 |
| Credential Assembly Service (CAS), 5 years | Yes | Yes |
| Law school reports | 6 | 3 |
| LawHub Advantage (official practice tests), 1 year | Yes | Yes |
To see what that is worth, look at the normal prices. The LSAT costs $253, CAS costs $219, and each law school report costs $45. A Tier 1 waiver covers two LSATs, CAS, and six reports. That is $995 in fees, plus a year of LawHub Advantage. See the full list of fees in our LSAT cost guide.
What the Fee Waiver Does Not Cover
The LSAC waiver does not pay law school application fees. Each school decides that on its own. Some schools waive their fee for anyone with an approved LSAC waiver, and JD Services shows which ones. Others ask you to fill out their own fee waiver form.
Who Qualifies for an LSAC Fee Waiver?
LSAC looks at your income compared to the federal poverty guidelines. The limit depends on whether you file taxes on your own or someone claims you as a dependent.
| Your Situation | Tier 1 | Tier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Independent (you file on your own) | Up to 235% of poverty guidelines | 235% to 260% |
| Dependent: your own income | Up to 150% | Up to 200% |
| Dependent: you plus your parents | Up to 200% | 200% to 300% |
Income is not the only test. LSAC also has limits on assets and cash in the bank, and it can look at other factors. So meeting the income limit does not promise approval.
Citizenship and Residency
You can apply if you are one of the following:
- A U.S. citizen or national, or a permanent resident
- A resident of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau
- Someone with Temporary Protected Status, DACA (granted or applied for), or a pending asylum application
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person or Convention Refugee
Documents You Need
You upload everything in your JD Services account. LSAC does not take documents by email or mail.
- Most U.S. applicants: your federal tax return (Form 1040 and its schedules), or an IRS Verification of Nonfiling letter if you did not file.
- Dependent applicants: your parents’ tax documents too, if their income counts.
- Canadian applicants: your Notice of Assessment, and your spouse’s or parents’ if needed.
- TPS, DACA, or asylum: the matching USCIS form or work permit listed by LSAC.
You have 45 days after you apply online to upload your documents. If you miss that window, LSAC cancels the application. It can usually be reopened once the documents arrive.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Sign in to your LSAC JD account and open the fee waiver application.
- Answer the questions about income, household, and status.
- Upload your documents within 45 days.
- Wait for a decision. LSAC usually decides in 2 to 5 business days after it has everything.
- Unlock your benefits (see below).
Apply early. LSAC suggests applying at least six months before the registration deadline for the LSAT you want. You can apply later, but early gives you time to fix problems. See the current LSAT test dates and deadlines.
How to Unlock Your Fee Waiver Benefits
Approval comes in two steps. First you get “Conditional Approval.” Then you finish a few tasks to unlock the benefits:
- LSAT benefit: complete two different PrepTests in LawHub using Exam Mode. The default is Self-Paced Mode, so switch it. Tests you took before applying do not count.
- CAS benefit: complete the free LawHub course called “How Do I Apply to Law School?”
The good news: those two PrepTests are useful practice anyway. Score them with our practice test score calculator to see where you stand.
How Long Does the Fee Waiver Last?
Your waiver lasts two years from the date of Conditional Approval. The LawHub Advantage and law school report benefits run on a shorter clock, so use them when you are ready to apply. Fee waiver seasons run from July through June.
What If You Are Denied?
You can appeal a denial once. LSAC usually decides appeals in about two weeks, and the appeal decision is final. If you are still denied, you can apply again in the next fee waiver season.
While a waiver or appeal is pending, LSAC may place a hold on your file. That can delay your score release. Read more about LSAT score holds.
LSAC Fee Waiver FAQ
Does the fee waiver include the LSAT Argumentative Writing?
Yes. Each LSAT in the waiver includes Argumentative Writing and Score Preview.
Can I get a fee waiver after I already paid for the LSAT?
LSAC generally does not refund fees you already paid. Apply for the waiver before you register.
Do law schools see that I used a fee waiver?
Schools can see waiver status so they can waive their own fees. It does not hurt your application. Thousands of applicants use waivers every year.
Can I still apply to schools while my waiver is only conditionally approved?
Yes, but schools that waive fees for LSAC waiver holders do it automatically only after Final Approval. You can wait, pay the fee, or follow the school’s own fee waiver steps.
Once your fees are covered, the next step is a plan. Use our free LSAT score calculator to see your percentile and the law schools that fit your score.