Suggestions On What To Do With Your PILA Grant

For those lucky/skillful enough to successfully navigate the bizzare and mystifying process that is PILA, here's what you can do with your grant:

1) Cover the increase in tuition:

J.D. COSTS, 2008-09	VA RESIDENT	NONRESIDENT
Tuition and Fees:	$36,800	$41,800
Housing:	6,502	6,502
Personal Expenses:	7,222	7,222
Health Insurance:	1,976	1,976
Books and Supplies:	1,800	1,800
Loan Fees:	800	800
Totals:	$55,100	$60,100

For out of state residents, the tuition last year was $38,500. According to a Law School press release, 1L PILA grants are approximately $3,500 after taxes.  The difference is between this year and last year's tuition is $3,300. 

2) Oops, that's pretty much your whole grant right there, with $200 left over.   Hey now, that's like a week and a half worth of lunches in Scott Commons (seriously).  Or splurge on a textbook and a half (?). 

And if you didn't get a PILA grant?  Well . . . .