Law school student loans are graduate-level education loans used to cover the cost of earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. These loans can help you pay for law school tuition, books, bar exam prep, and living expenses such as rent and transportation.
There are two main types of student loans you can use to pay for law school: federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education and private law school loans offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Many law students use a combination of both to fully fund their education.
Federal vs. private law school loans: What’s the difference?
The right loan for law school depends on your credit, career plans, and need for flexible repayment options. Before borrowing, it's important to understand how federal and private loans compare. Each offers its own advantages and trade-offs, from interest rate structures to repayment flexibility. Here's how they stack up for the 2025-26 academic year:
In some cases, private law school loans may offer lower rates to well-qualified borrowers, but they don't include federal benefits like income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
How to apply for a law school loan with Credible
1. Get prequalified law school loan rates
With Credible, you can compare law school student loan rates from multiple private lenders with no impact on your credit score. Simply enter your basic personal and academic information to instantly view prequalified rates and estimated terms from top lenders matched to your profile.
2. Compare top law school student loan lenders
Review the best private law school loans side-by-side to find the right fit. Pay attention to interest rate options (fixed vs. variable), repayment flexibility, fees, borrower perks like rate reductions or forbearance options, and the lender's overall reputation.
3. Choose the best law school loan for your needs
Once you've compared lenders, pick the private law school loan that best suits your budget and goals. Consider applying with a cosigner. Doing so could help you qualify for a lower interest rate. If you decide to use a cosigner, be ready to provide their financial and contact details when you apply.
4. Complete your law school loan application
To apply for a law school loan, gather the necessary documentation, including a government-issued ID, income verification (like tax returns or recent pay stubs), and proof of law school enrollment. Then, fill out the student loan application with your chosen lender, upload your documents, and submit for approval.
Student loan calculator
Enter student loan details to estimate the monthly payment, interest costs, and total amount you'll pay over the repayment term.
Checking rates won’t affect your credit score
Why Credible?
How much you can borrow for law school
For the 2025-26 school year, federal student loan limits for law school students depend on the type of loan you take out. With Direct Unsubsidized Loans, you can borrow as much as $20,500 per year, with a $138,500 lifetime cap, including any undergraduate federal loans you've also taken out. If your total cost of attendance exceeds that amount, which may be the case for many law students, grad PLUS loans, which allow you to borrow up to 100% of your school's certified cost of attendance, could help make up the difference.
Private lenders typically allow you to borrow up to the full cost of attendance at your school, and some offer lifetime loan limits that can reach $500,000 or more, depending on the lender and your credit profile. These loans can be helpful for covering gaps left by federal limits, but they come with different eligibility requirements and repayment terms.
Eligibility for private law school loans
To qualify for a private law school loan, lenders typically require:
- A good credit score (usually mid- to high-600s or above)
- Verifiable income or a cosigner with income
- A relatively low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio (varies by lender)
- Enrollment in an eligible law degree program
If you don't meet these requirements on your own, applying for a law school loan with a cosigner can improve your chances of approval and help you secure a lower interest rate.
How law school loan interest works
Interest on most law school loans begins accruing once the funds are disbursed, even while you're still attending school. Federal loans come with fixed rates, while private lenders may offer fixed or variable rates depending on your credit profile.
- Federal loans: Fixed rates set annually by Congress, unaffected by your credit
- Private loans: Credit-based rates, which may be fixed (stable) or variable (fluctuate with the market)
Some private lenders offer in-school deferment, letting you postpone full repayment during law school or bar prep. Making interest-only payments during this time can reduce your total cost over time.
Pros and cons of private law school loans
While federal student loans are usually the best first choice to pay for law school, private law school loans can play an important role if you've hit federal borrowing limits or qualify for a lower interest rate based on your credit. Before taking out a private loan, it's important to weigh the potential advantages against the limitations. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons:
How to reduce the amount you need to borrow for law school
Law school can be expensive, but careful planning can help reduce how much you need to borrow. Consider these cost-saving strategies:
- Apply for scholarships and grants for law students
- Work part-time or find paid legal internships
- Explore loan repayment assistance programs (LRAPs) available through your state or employer
- Live modestly to reduce day-to-day costs
- Consider attending a lower-cost or in-state law school
FAQ
Do I pay law school loans while I’m in school?
View
Can I get a law school loan with bad credit or no cosigner?
View
What’s the maximum I can borrow for law school?
View
How do I compare private lenders for law school loans?
View
How long does it take to pay off law school debt?
View
When should I apply for a private law school loan?
View
A closer look at the best private law school loan lenders
Advertiser Disclosure
Ascent: Best for No-Cosigner Loans
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Fixed APR
2.89 - 14.93%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$2,001 to $400,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Ascent stands out for offering private student loans to students without a cosigner and who have limited credit. Its outcomes-based loan uses factors such as academic performance and graduation timeline instead of credit to determine eligibility. Students can also qualify for a cash-back graduation reward and choose from a wide range of repayment plans.
Advertiser Disclosure
College Ave: Best for Extended Grace Periods
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Fixed APR
2.89 - 17.99%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
Term
5, 8, 10, 15 (20 for health professionals)
Expert Insights
College Ave offers a wide range of borrower-controlled features that makes it especially compelling for those who want predictability and planning power with their student loans. From 5 to 20-year terms and multiple in-school payment options to profession-specific grace periods, College Ave offers more structure and flexibility than many of its competitors.
Advertiser Disclosure
Sallie Mae: Best for Specialized Loans
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Fixed APR
2.89 - 17.49%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 up to 100% of school-certified cost of attendance
Term
10 - 20
Expert Insights
Sallie Mae stands out from the competition with one of the broadest selections of specialized private student loans on the market. Loans cover everything from undergraduate degrees to medical residencies, bar study, flight training, and trade schools. This makes Sallie Mae a good option for students pursuing specialized or less traditional educational paths.
Advertiser Disclosure
SoFi: Best for Member Perks
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Fixed APR
3.18 - 15.99%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $100,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 15
Expert Insights
SoFi offers borrower-friendly benefits rarely seen among student loan lenders. Perks include cash back for strong grades, a loyalty discount on future loans, and cosigner release after just 12 months. With flexible terms and competitive rates, SoFi is a standout option for students seeking long-term value.
Advertiser Disclosure
Abe: Best for Payment Relief Options
Min. Credit Score
660
Fixed APR
2.85 - 15.61%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $99,999 annually $180,000 aggregate limit)
Term
5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Few private lenders match the borrower protections Abe offers. You'll find options like in-school default protection, extended grace periods, and multiple types of forbearance — including for job loss and illness. These features make Abe an especially good fit for students who want a safety net during unpredictable times.
Advertiser Disclosure
Citizens: Best for Multiyear Approval
Min. Credit Score
640
Fixed APR
3.24 - 14.99%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $400,000 (depending on degree)
Term
5, 10, 15
Expert Insights
Citizens could be a great fit for borrowers who already bank with the lender and want to save more on their student loans. Customers can lower their interest rate by 0.25 percentage points with a loyalty discount, and by another 0.25 percentage points for enrolling in autopay. Citizens also offers multiyear approval, making it easier to get additional loans without repeated hard credit checks.
Advertiser Disclosure
ELFI: Best for flexible repayment
Min. Credit Score
680
Fixed APR
2.99 - 14.22%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 up to cost of attendance
Term
5, 7, 10, 15
Expert Insights
ELFI stands out for offering a broad range of repayment terms — 5, 7, 10, or 15 years — so you can tailor your loan to fit your budget and timeline. Whether you want to pay off your loan quickly or stretch payments over time, ELFI gives you the tools to choose. This flexibility makes it a strong option if you're seeking maximum control over your repayment plan.
Advertiser Disclosure
Nelnet Bank: Best for Competitive Rates
Min. Credit Score
Mid to high 600’s FICO
Fixed APR
3.47 - 9.99%
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$1,000 to $500,000
Term
5, 10, 15
Expert Insights
Nelnet Bank stands out among private student loan lenders for offering low starting rates and high loan limits across undergraduate, graduate, and health professional programs. You can qualify for a Nelnet Bank student loan with mid-600s credit or apply with a cosigner to improve your chances of approval and secure a better rate.
Contact Us
Want to talk to a real person? We’re available by phone, live chat and email.
Chat with us
Start a chat now
Call us
Hours of operations
Monday - Thursday
9am - 7pm ET
Friday
9am - 7pm ET
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Email us
Methodology
To determine the best student loan lenders, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan companies — which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.
- Repayment options: 30%
- Eligibility: 25%
- Interest rates: 20%
- Loan terms: 15%
- Customer support: 10%
While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.
Learn more about our methodology.
