Federal Student Loans

NOTE:  The landscape of financing a legal education is shifting due to recent legislative changes effective July 1, 2026.  For those entering law school as new borrowers, primary federal support will likely center on Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which feature updated annual and lifetime caps tailored for professional degree seekers.  Notably, the previous availability of certain credit-based federal "PLUS" options has been restricted for new entrants, meaning students may need to look more toward private education loans or alternate sources of aid to bridge any remaining gaps between federal limits and the total cost of attendance. 

These evolving rules also introduce new frameworks for repayment and potential forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of monitoring final federal guidance as the 2026–2027 academic year approaches.  For those students who are "grandfathered" into the prior loan programs, you may still be eligible to apply for Direct unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS loans.

Unsubsidized Loans 

Unsubsidized loans are available through the Federal Student Loan Program. To qualify, a student must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and meet all federal requirements for eligibility. At the end of the FAFSA, you will need to sign the document with a FSA ID ( Federal Student Aid ID) and list the correct School Code (002785) in order for NYU to receive your information. As a law student, you are not required to report parental information on the FAFSA.

Please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website for more information about interest rates on federal student loans.

Graduate PLUS Loans

If additional loan funding is needed to cover the cost of attendance, eligible students have the option of applying for a Graduate PLUS loan. In order to qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and meet all federal eligibility requirements. If you meet federal requirements, you may borrow Graduate PLUS loan funds up to the cost of attendance (less any other financial aid).

The Graduate PLUS loan does not have a grace period. Instead, it has a post-enrollment deferment period which acts in the same way as a grace period. Interest accrues from the time the loan is disbursed.

We encourage students to visit the U.S. Department of Education's website for more information about interest rates on federal student loans.