How does a high school dropout and single mom afford law school?

She was co-owner of the bar (and still is), she had alimony and child support, and she got loans, grants and scholarships for school. That's what my sister did. She was not poor - and college in the 70s-80s cost a fraction of what it does now.

My first semester tuition at a well-known state university in the early 80s was $230 - for the entire semester...

His brother also gave all his material posession to her. It was mentioned in the movie.

as much thought and logic you try to put behind it... her situation still would never work in the real world. it's just a movie anyways and what they are trying to stress is that against all odds, she was able to prevail at the end and the bigger message they were trying to get across was that you shouldn't let anything get in your way.

I watched the movie a few weeks ago and am now reading an article/interview wit Betty Ann. In the movie, I'm sure she offered to become a lawyer? But Kenny actually pushed her into it, after a suicide attempt saying I'll stay alive if you do this for me.
She states that she paid her tuition credit card upon credit card and also by bartending when she wasn't studying or asleep. She finished University and then didn't study again or sit her LSAT exam until a couple of years later, her and her now boyfriend opened up a bar together and she done the bookwork.
It took her 13 yrs from when Kenny asked her to do it, to getting to Law School, which then took 4 yrs. It was in her final year of Law School that she realised and investigated the whole DNA option.
The movie may seem unrealistic to some, but it is based on a true story and from what I have read, it's pretty darn near factual.
Sad ending. Enjoyed the movie and Juliette Lewis was great in the few scenes she done! Unrecognisable.


'I say I'm dead.. and I move'

Samferg is absolutely correct.

I can't believe the ignorant people out there.

Student loans, student loans, student loans. Grants, grants, grants. Scholarships, scholarships, scholarships.

Duh. You might wanna crawl out of that McDonald's you've been working at.

Read the title of this movie. It says it all in one word. "Conviction"

I find most Americans are too busy complaining about how hard they have it when... the American system basically rewards people with diligence and above all CONVICTION. Anybody can become a doctor. You just need to want it as much as this Lady.

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It's based on a true story about Zeph's family. How unfortunate.

I agree. I'm not familiar enough with Betty's story to say how she financed law school, but I certainly know enough law students who are reliant on loans. And while I'm actually surprised she didn't violate some ABA regulation (that she could sit the Bar) after spreading her education out so long, that would definitely make it more affordable. To the best of my knowledge, federal grants are not available to law students, but between loans, working, and scholarships, she could definitely do it.

As a matter of fact, Harvard is one of the easier universities to get funding for. Basically, if you're smart enough to get in, Harvard will find a way for you to pay for it--even if it means that Harvard foots the bill. Many poor students are able to attend Harvard in this way. One of the perks of having a 27 billion-dollar endowment.

What does "could of got her" mean? Did you mean to say, "could HAVE GOTTEN her..."?

I find it a sad reflection on people that I share this wonderful world with, that their main reason to logon and post on IMDB, is to doubt whether or not she could have made it through law school.



Other people are better than you, get over it.



Second point, who gives a damn?, the film is about injustice, corruption, and the determination of everyone involved in the case, to fight for what they knew was right. How she paid for law school is a non issue to anyone but her.