Federal Aid Resources Available to Law Students
Direct Loan Program
The William D. Ford Direct Loan program allows eligible students to borrow fixed interest rate student loans and defer both interest and principal payments while in-school. Starting July 1, 2026, new federal loan rules are in effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Your loan eligibility depends on when you started your program and whether you’ve borrowed federal loans before. Answer the questions we have outlined below to help determine your eligibility.
When did (or will) you start your J.D. or LL.M. program?
As a currently enrolled student, you may remain eligible to apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan under applicable legacy provisions. Please review the drop-down question below for details regarding eligibility.
You would be considered a new borrower and would not be eligible to borrow a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan.
(Current students only) Have you ever borrowed a federal loan while enrolled in this program prior to July 1, 2026?
The bill includes a legacy provision to the new borrowing limits for students who are enrolled in a program of study prior to July 1, 2026. Under this provision, a student who has borrowed a Federal Direct Loan on or before June 30, 2026, while continuously enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program, may continue to borrow through the Graduate PLUS Loan Program for up to a maximum of 3 years or remainder of their expected time to complete the credential—whichever is shorter.
If you have not borrowed a federal loan on or before June 30, 2026, you will not be eligible for the Grad PLUS Loan under the legacy provision provided in the bill. However, you may still explore private loan options to help finance your education. Additionally, the University Bursar’s Office offers flexible payment arrangements that may assist in managing your tuition and fees.
Login to studentaid.gov to view your loan information, including details about your previous aid and enrollment history.
What program are you enrolled in or applying to?
As a new borrower, your federal loan eligibility falls under the updated rules established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The information below applies to students enrolled full-time. If you plan to switch to part-time enrollment at any point, please contact Financial Aid for guidance.
What You Need to Know:
- You are not eligible for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.
- You may still explore private loan options to help finance your education.
- You are eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans only, with the following limits:
| Program | Annual Limit | Aggregate Limit | Lifetime Limit |
| J.D. (Professional) | $50,000 | $200,000 | $257,500 ($200,000 for grad/prof. education, plus $57,500 for undergraduate education) |
| LL.M. (Graduate) | $20,500 | $100,000 | $257,500 |
*The annual limit is the amount a student can borrow in one academic year.
If you received a federal Direct Loan disbursement for your J.D. program on or before June 30, 2026, you qualify as a “current borrower” under OBBBA. You can continue borrowing Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans under existing rules and loan limits.
The information below applies to full-time enrollment. If you plan to switch to part-time at any point, please contact financial aid for specific guidance.
As a J.D. student classified as a professional degree program under OBBBA, you can continue to access Graduate PLUS Loans at current limits for the lesser of:
- Up to 3 additional academic years, OR
- The remainder of your expected time to degree completion
What You Need to Know:
- Withdrawals, leaves of absence, or program changes may forfeit your legacy borrower status. Contact Financial Aid before making any enrollment changes.
- You may still explore private loan options to help finance your education.
- You are also eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, with the following limits:
| Program | Annual Limit | Aggregate Limit | Lifetime Limit |
| J.D. (Professional) | $20,500 | $138,500 | $257,500 ($200,000 for grad/prof. education, plus $57,500 for undergraduate education) |
| LL.M. (Graduate) | $20,500 | $138,500 | $257,500 |
*The annual limit is the amount a student can borrow in one academic year.
As a new borrower, your federal loan eligibility falls under the updated rules established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
What You Need to Know:
- You are not eligible for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.
- You are eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans only. Since you’ll be enrolled less than full-time, your annual loan limit is reduced based on your percentage of enrollment. The financial aid office will use a loan proration formula, published by the U.S. Department of Ed, to calculate your loan eligibility each semester based on your planned enrollment.
- For first-year (1L) students in the JDi program, the sample course schedule provides for enrollment in 11 credits in the fall semester and 11 credits in the spring semester. Under the revised loan eligibility formula, a 1L JDi student enrolled in a total of 22 credits across the academic year would be eligible to borrow up to $46,000.
- You may still explore private loan options to help finance your education.
If you received a federal Direct Loan disbursement for your J.D. program on or before June 30, 2026, you qualify as a “current borrower” under OBBBA. You can continue borrowing Federal Direct Loans, but there is a new loan proration rule that will apply to student’s enrolled part-time.
As a J.D. student classified as a professional degree program under OBBBA, you can continue to access Graduate PLUS Loans at current limits for the lesser of:
- Up to 3 additional academic years, OR
- The remainder of your expected time to degree completion
What You Need to Know:
- Withdrawals, leaves of absence, or program changes may forfeit your legacy borrower status. Contact Financial Aid before making any enrollment changes.
- You may still explore private loan options to help finance your education.
- You are still eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. However, since you’ll be enrolled part-time, your annual loan limit is reduced based on your percentage of enrollment. The financial aid office will use a loan proration formula, published by the U.S. Department of Ed, to calculate your loan eligibility each semester based on your planned enrollment.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) provides eligible J.D. students with the opportunity to work part time and use earnings toward educational expenses during the fall and spring semesters. The FWS program at the College of Law contributes funding for a variety of student employment opportunities including Faculty Student Research Assistants, Classroom aides and Library positions. First-year law students are eligible to work; law students must make the personal decision on how to balance the academic demands of law school and a part-time job.
Resources on Upcoming Student Aid Changes
To help you stay informed and empowered as federal student aid policies evolve under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), we recommend exploring the following key resources:
Upcoming Federal Student Aid Changes – Starting July 1, 2026
- Stay up to date with how the OBBBA impacts student aid eligibility, including timelines, program changes, and what law students need to know before the July 1, 2026 transition.
AccessLex Institute – Student Aid Policy and Action Center
- Through our partnership with AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law students’ financial education, you have access to a wide range of expertly curated tools and resources. Their Student Aid Policy and Action Center features clear, easy-to-understand FAQs, fact sheets, policy updates, federal student loan guidance, and other essential resources. AccessLex also offers free virtual webinars focused on the evolving landscape of law school borrowing and repayment.