A relative is asking for us to co-sign a loan for him to take the bar exam (!). Not a starving student, either, but a 40-something year-old guy with a house and family and all (though money is really tight for them). He’ll be taking it in Colorado.
Holey smokes … how much do those things cost? I know it varies state to state … but I’d have guessed a few hundred bucks at the most. If a loan is required … it must be like 5 grand or something.
ISTR that 20 years ago the standard bar review course (Barbri) was along the lines of a few hundred bucks. Maybe $400. But I imagine there are all kinds of folks out there eager to take money from folk who are eager to offer it.
Just checked. Looks like Barbri wants $1750 for the CO bar review. Not sure whether that includes or is in addition to the books, which ar $1000.
Bwahahahahahaha! Sorry gramps, but times have changed.
Barbri is significantly more expensive now, depending, of course, on what state you’re in. Actual fees to take the bar + moral character applications and such can be quite expensive too. Let’s not forget that most states tack on laptop fees too if you’re feeling technologically advanced.
Standard bar loan now, AFAIK, runs around $5K. Standard bar stipend from big firms is around $5K - 10K.
BarBri goes into the thousands now. The registration for the test itself can come close to a thousand depending on how late you register.
Ok, more information. Colorado, you say?
The exam fee is $475. Late fees of $200 if applicable.
Barbri charges $1795 for their program in Colorado. (To the OP: in case you don’t know, Barbri basically has a monopoly on bar prep programs). Also, the good news is that if you fail, they only charge you $400 for their repeater program.
The rest of the money comes down to whether or not the student wants to study full-time or hold down a job while he/she studies.
Durn whippersnappers these days!
Just checked for IL - $2500. Not sure why someone would need a $5G loan or a $5-10G stipend for that, but whadda I know?
Meanwhile, GET OFF MY LAWN!
Geez, I was just listening to my iPod and texting my BFF! I didn’t even realize I had stepped on your lawn, Mr. Dinsdale.
Damn … too rich for our blood 
We can’t touch that much extra debt (and I’m considering a co-sign essentially taking on extra debt).
It’s apparently to take a few months off of work so that once can study for the bar exam.