Temple law students may be eligible to borrow loans through the Federal Direct Loan Program and/or if needed, private loans through private lenders. Students who are in default on a previous federal student loan are not eligible for any additional federal loans and may have difficulty receiving a private loan due to the credit criteria. It may be possible, however, to cure a default. If you are in default please contact your federal loan provider/servicer immediately for more information.
There are many loan types, interest rates, eligibility requirements and repayment options available to law students.
Download Loan Comparison Chart
How much should I borrow?
You should refer to the Cost of Attendance figures for an estimate of what your law school expenses should be. The total of all of your financial aid, from all sources, may not exceed the amount of your cost of attendance. Other than this restriction, the amount you borrow is really up to you. Please bear in mind that borrowing should not be undertaken lightly and repaying student loans may have an impact on career choices and post-graduate lifestyle. Students who borrow the minimum amount needed to make ends meet may afford themselves more flexibility in legal employment options. If you find that you are running short of funds you may request additional loan funds at any time during the academic year as long as you have not already exceeded the cost of attendance or exhausted your eligibility in loans.
When Will I Receive My Financial Aid Refunds?
For planning purposes, be advised that loan funds are issued in two separate disbursements; you will receive half of your loan in the fall, the other half in the spring. The amount which is sent to the school may be lower than the amount you have actually borrowed and must pay back because your lender may deduct fees (origination, insurance, and/or guarantee fees) from your disbursement amount each semester. The amount of these fees will be indicated on a disclosure statement which is sent directly to you from the lender.
Once your loan proceeds have been credited to your tuition account, you are entitled to any funds in excess of your tuition and fees. Refunds will be directly deposited into your individual checking or savings account if you have signed up for direct deposit. Students may sign up for direct deposit on TUPortal. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, you will receive your student loan refund in a paper check which will be mailed to you. Refunds are usually not released to students until the first week of classes each semester.
NEW - Federal Student Loan Changes for 2026-2027
The One Big Beautiful Bill made changes to the federal student loan program that will become effective for periods of enrollment that begin on or after July 1, 2026. The most significant change is the elimination of the Graduate PLUS program, along with revisions to the federal student loan annual and aggregate borrowing limits. Additionally, these changes also create a new distinction between graduate and professional-level students, and as a result, JD and LLM students now have different borrowing limits.
There is a legacy provision that allows current students who meet certain criteria to retain eligibility for existing federal loan limits and the Graduate PLUS Loan for up to three academic years or until program completion, whichever occurs first. Students who do not qualify for legacy status, and as a result cannot borrow a Graduate PLUS loan, have the option to apply for a private student loan to help cover any remaining funding needs (up to the cost of attendance).
Below is an overview of the new and legacy borrower classifications, the available loan options for each classification and level, and the new requirements for students enrolled less than full-time.
Who is considered a New Borrower?
A New Borrower is a New Temple Law Student (Fall 2026 entering 1L or Transfer)
— OR —
A current Temple Law JD or LL.M./Graduate Law students who did NOT receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS loan prior to July 1, 2026, while enrolled in their current Temple Law program.
Federal Loan Eligibility for New Borrowers
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- J.D. – apply to borrow up to $50,000 per academic year
- LL.M./Graduate Law – apply to borrow up to $20,500 per academic year
Aggregate Loan Limit for New Borrowers
- J.D. – $200,000 for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (combined limit for graduate and professional levels)
- LL.M./Graduate Law – $100,000 for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (graduate level only)
Who is considered a Legacy Borrower?
A Legacy Borrower is a current student who received a federal Direct Unsubsidized or Graduate PLUS loan prior to July 1, 2026, while enrolled in the Temple Law JD program or the same Temple Law LL.M./Graduate Law program.
Federal Loan Options for Legacy Borrowers
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – apply to borrow up to $20,500 per year
- Graduate PLUS Loan – apply to borrow up to cost of attendance minus other aid
Lifetime and Aggregate Loan Limits for Legacy Borrowers
- Lifetime limit of $138,500 (combined limit for undergraduate and graduate/professional) for Federal Direct Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Loan.
- No lifetime or aggregate limit on Graduate PLUS loan.
Please note that a borrower will lose legacy status if there is a break in enrollment (e.g., a leave of absence or withdrawal). Students cannot opt out of legacy borrower status.
Adjustment Required to the Annual Loan Limit for Students Enrolled less than full-time.
Beginning with federal student loans borrowed for the 2026-2027 aid year, schools will be required to reduce the annual loan limit on all federal student loans (Federal Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Graduate PLUS Loans) for less-than-full-time enrollment. Students who enroll in or drop below full-time enrollment will be notified of their lower annual limit and/or reduction in loan amount.
- J.D. – full-time enrollment is 24 credits per academic year
- LL.M. & Graduate Law – full-time enrollment is 18 credits per academic year
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
The principal building block of most students financial aid package is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The amount you are eligible to borrow is based on the program you are enrolled in, the number of credits you are registered for, and your borrowing status as either a new or legacy borrower.
2025-2026 Aid Year Interest Rate and Fees
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan will accrue interest while the borrower is in school and throughout the loan grace period.
The interest rate on the federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan for the 2025-2026 academic year is fixed at 7.94% for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2025. Borrowers will be responsible for paying the interest which accrues on any unsubsidized loan amounts, but have the option of deferring any payments until they graduate or terminate their studies. The Department of Education deducts a 1.06% loan origination fee from each loan disbursement on loans originated before October 1, 2026.
Requesting a federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
All students who wish to borrow a federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Temple Law School Financial Aid Request Form so that their eligibility for the loan may be determined. In addition, all students who plan to borrow a federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan must file the electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN) with the Direct Loan Program. Students who plan to borrow both the federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Direct Graduate PLUS loan will need to complete two separate eMPNs (one for each loan type).
To complete the federal Direct Unsubsidized eMPN:
- Go to the Federal Student Aid website, http://www.studentaid.gov
- Sign in using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and password (same FSA ID and password you used to complete the FAFSA)
- Click on the Complete MPN link which is under Master Promissory Note on the left hand side of the page
- Select the loan type Subsidized/Unsubsidized to complete the eMPN. (Please note, you do not indicate the amount you are applying for on the eMPN. You specify the amount you are applying for each year on the Temple Law School Financial Aid Request Form).
Other Types of Loans
Students who have exhausted their eligibility for the federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and who wish to supplement their borrowing can choose to apply for either the federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan or a private loan. Information on the two loans and how to apply is provided below.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
** Only available to Temple Law Students who borrowed a federal student loan prior to July 1, 2026, while enrolled in the Temple Law program.**
Students who have exhausted their eligibility for the federal Direct Unsubsidized loan and who wish to supplement their borrowing can choose to apply for either the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan or a private loan. Information on the two loans and how to apply is provided below.
The Direct Graduate PLUS loan is a federally guaranteed, credit-based loan. Eligibility for the Grad PLUS loan is the same as the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, except for the addition of credit criteria. To meet the credit criteria, a student must have no adverse credit, defined as being 90 days or more delinquent on a debt or having been subject to a default determination/bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment or write-off of a Federal student aid debt. The absence of a credit history is not considered adverse credit. Students who do not meet this credit criteria on their own may apply with an endorser. Students may also appeal the credit decision if they feel their credit was denied in error or if there are extenuating circumstances they wish to have considered. Students should contact the Direct Student Loan Origination Center at 800-557-7394 with questions regarding Credit Appeals and Endorser Applications.
2025-2026 Aid Year Interest Rate & Fees
The interest rate on the federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan for the 2025-2026 academic year is fixed at 8.94% for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2025. Borrowers will be responsible for paying the interest which accrues on graduate PLUS loan amounts, but have the option of deferring any payments until they graduate or terminate their studies. The Department of Education deducts a 4.23% loan origination fee from each loan disbursement on loans originated before October 1, 2026.
How to Apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan
To apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan you must do the following:
- Must complete all steps to request an unsubsidized loan and borrow maximum unsubsidized loan amount.
- Go to the Federal Student Aid website, http://studentaid.gov
- Sign in using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and password (same FSA ID and password you used to complete the FAFSA)
- Click on Complete MPN or Complete a Master Promissory Note on the Direct Loan website and select Complete PLUS MPN for Graduate/Professional Students
- The Graduate PLUS loan requires that you complete an application for credit approval. To complete the application, select Apply for a PLUS Loan on the left side of the page or from the center of the page select Complete PLUS Request for Graduate/Professional Students. (You can indicate on this application whether you want to borrow the maximum amount or a specific amount).
- Send an email to the Law School Financial Aid Office at lawFAO@temple.edu to notify us that you have applied for the Graduate PLUS loan. If you do not notify our office, we will not know to process your loan.
Private Student Loan
Students can also supplement their borrowing with a private student loan offered through a number of private lenders. However, private student loans are still subject to the Cost of Attendance limit. Students are advised to borrow as little as possible through private loan programs since the interest rates can be high and the fees associated with the loan can be significant.
Good credit is a requirement for a private loan and some lenders base the amount of their guarantee fees on the applicant’s credit rating. If you do not know what your credit rating is, or if you are concerned that you may not qualify for a private loan due to poor credit, you should obtain a copy of your credit report as soon as possible. Many lenders allow you to pre-apply for a private loan. Your credit will be checked before your application is sent to your school for certification. If you are not approved, you will be notified and may be able to apply with a co-signer or choose a different lender. Or, you may also want to consider borrowing through the GradPLUS program (see above).
Private student loans are not based on need, however a private student loan must be included in a student’s financial aid package as a source of financial assistance. A private educational loan is not a personal loan and your eligibility for a private loan must be certified by the Law School Financial Office. and is disbursed directly to the school. You may not receive private loan funds which, when added to the other aid you are receiving for an academic period of enrollment, exceed the cost of attendance.
How to Apply for a Private Student Loan
- Apply online directly with the private student loan lender of your choice, AND
- Send an email to the Law School Financial Aid Office at lawFAO@temple.edu to notify us that you have applied for a private student loan. If you do not notify our office, we will not know to process your loan.
Please contact the Law School Financial Aid Office for information on private loan lenders.
Bar Examination Loans
Graduating students may apply for a bar loan to assist them with the costs associated with studying for and taking the bar exam. The law school encourages students not to work while studying for the bar exam if possible, and we have found that this can help ensure the best results on the bar exam. The availability of bar loan funds made this a realistic option for many graduates.