Federal Loans
Students who are U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for all education loan programs. International students may borrow from private sources, but not from federal programs.
The Office of Financial Aid strongly encourages all students to carefully review their budget needs and to borrow conservatively.
Required Disclosure Information for Borrowers
In accordance with HEOA 489 Amended HEA Sec. 485B, Suffolk University is required to disclose to all borrowers that any federal loan borrowed by a student or eligible parent will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The information reported to NSLDS will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system.
Borrowers may review their NSLDS history and information at any time at NSLDS.
Federal Direct Loan Program General Information
Suffolk University Law School processes all Federal and Graduate PLUS loans through the Federal Direct Loan Program. For students enrolled for a standard academic year consisting of a fall and spring semester, loan funds will be awarded to be credited to a student's account in installments equal to 50% of the annual amount, less the origination fee, at the start of each semester.
Students should note that loans must be processed by Student Financial Services during a student's period of enrollment each academic year. Federal loans cannot be processed or awarded once a student's annual or semester period of enrollment has ended. Students should be sure to allow for sufficient processing time when requesting a federal loan.
Federal Direct Loan Program Information
Information from the U.S. Department of Education on federal student and PLUS loan programs.
Federal Direct Loan Repayment Estimator
Whether you’re just thinking about taking out a federal student loan or you’ve already received one, it’s important to know just how much you will repay and what your options may be. Use the U.S. Department of Education's Repayment Estimator to quickly calculate estimated monthly payment amounts under several repayment plans using either your actual loan information (which can be access directly from the site) or using the estimated information you enter.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)
Information on public service loan forgiveness and income-based loan repayment for Federal Direct Student Loan Program borrowers.
Federal Direct Loan Program
Effective July 1, 2026, graduate federal student loan programs will undergo substantial changes.
JD students who have borrowed a federal student loan (Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan) before July 1, 2026 and remain continuously enrolled in the JD program at Suffolk University Law School qualify for a Legacy Provision and will continue to be eligible for annual loan limits and available federal student loan programs based on program guidelines currently in effect. The Legacy Provision can remain for up to three academic years or the remainder of the JD program, whichever is less.
Students who are expected to be eligible under the new program guidelines include, but are not limited to:
- JD students who will enroll at SULS for the first time during the 2026-2027 academic year
- All non-JD students regardless of when their SULS enrollment began
- Current JD students who did not borrow a federal student loan while enrolled at SULS prior to July 1, 2026
- Current JD students who withdraw or otherwise cease enrollment after July 1, 2026
For all federal student loan borrowers, repayment of principal and interest begins six months after graduation, after withdrawal, or after enrollment drops below half-time. The standard repayment term is ten years but may be extended through various repayment plans. All federal student loan programs require at least half-time enrollment to receive funding.
Unsubsidized Federal Loan
The Unsubsidized Federal Form loan accrues interest from the time of initial disbursement while you are enrolled in school and during the grace period. You may opt to pay the interest on a quarterly basis or have the accruing interest capitalized.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the interest rate is 7.94% which is fixed for the life of the loan. 2026-2027 interest rate information will be available during the upcoming months. Additionally, there is a 1.057% loan fee which is deducted from each loan disbursement.
Students are notified of their Federal Direct Loan eligibility as part of their Suffolk University Law School award offer. New borrowers are required to complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling prior to the disbursement of any Loan funds.
For students enrolled for a standard academic year consisting of a fall and spring semester, loan funds will be credited to a student's account in installments equal to 50% of the annual amount at the start of each semester.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, all Unsubsidized Federal Student Loan amounts must be prorated for students who are enrolled less than full time. Only students who are enrolled full time in a semester will be eligible to receive the maximum unsubsidized loan for that academic period.
Unsubsidized Federal Student Loan Information for JD students who meet the Legacy Provision requirements
JD students who meet the Legacy Provision requirements outlined above will continue to be awarded up to $20,500 in Federal Unsubsidized Student Loans over the course of an academic year. Aggregate Unsubsidized limits of $138,500 remain in effect as well.
Students who meet the Legacy Provision requirements will also be eligible to apply for additional funding via the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan program.
Unsubsidized Federal Student Loan Information for SULS students who do not meet the Legacy Provision requirements
All SULS students who do not meet the Legacy Provision requirements outlined above will be awarded under the updated student loan borrowing limits established under OBBBA.
Eligible JD students without the Legacy Provision can borrow up to $50,000 annually with an aggregate Unsubsidized loan limit of $200,000 for their law school enrollment. These students are not eligible to borrow via the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS program.
All non-JD students enrolled at SULS who do not meet the Legacy Provision will be subject to an Unsubsidized annual limit of $20,500 per academic year and an aggregate limit of $100,000. The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS program is not available.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
Effective July 1, 2026, only students who meet the Legacy Provision requirements will be eligible to borrow under the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program.
Legacy Provision students should apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan first by completing the FAFSA. If additional funds are needed, students must complete a separate application for the credit-based Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. To borrow through the Direct Grad PLUS Loan program, the student must be eligible for federal aid and pass a basic credit check. The credit approval criteria for the Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan are less stringent than for most private educational loans. To be approved for a Grad PLUS Loan, the student must not have adverse credit. Adverse credit, for the purpose of this loan, is defined by regulation as 90 days or more delinquent on any debt or having a credit report that shows a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of a Title IV debt, during the five years preceding the date of the credit report.
Legacy Provision students who apply for the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan and are denied due to an adverse credit report may appeal that decision or apply with an endorser at apply with an endorser. If a Federal Graduate Loan applicant’s appeal of an adverse credit decision is granted, the applicant may be required to complete additional PLUS Counseling prior to receiving Graduate PLUS loan funds. Please note that this credit counseling should not be confused with loan entrance counseling, which also must be completed prior to receiving federal loan funds.
Students denied a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan due to adverse credit should contact Applicant Services at 1-800-557-7344 to determine the reason for the denial and any further requirements needed. Students should verify what needs to be addressed on their credit report to be approved for the loan.
Legacy Provision students should apply for Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans annually and may borrow up to the cost of attendance less other financial aid. Be sure to apply for a loan to cover your expenses for a full academic year. For students enrolling in the Fall and Spring semesters, the loan period would be September through May. For students enrolled in summer courses, please check with Student Financial Services for help with your loan period. A completed Graduate Plus Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling must be on file for funds to disburse.
The 2025-2026 Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.94%. 2026-2027 interest rate information will be available during the upcoming months. A loan fee of 4.228% will be deducted from the loan at disbursement. Interest begins to accrue upon disbursement of the loan.
Repayment begins within 60 days of the final disbursement of the loan; however, students enrolled at least half-time may defer payments while in school. The standard repayment term is 10 years. See the Graduate PLUS and Private Loan Comparison Chart for more detailed information regarding loan terms.
For students enrolled for a standard academic year consisting of a fall and spring semester, loan funds will be awarded to be credited to a student's account in installments equal to 50% of the annual amount at the start of each semester.
Calculate Additional Loan Required
Do you need to determine how much loan funding to borrow to cover your bill? Or would you like to borrow to take care of some living expenses? Use the Additional Loan Calculation Form to help you make these calculations.
If you still have questions, please feel free to contact your financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Financial Services. However you will need to make your own consumer choice as to which loan option is best for you.
Loan Deferments
Students with prior education loans may choose to defer loan payments while enrolled at Suffolk University Law School. To defer your loans, contact your current lenders to find out how they process deferments. Suffolk transmits enrollment records to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse. Therefore, if your lenders also participate in the Clearinghouse, your loan deferment should occur automatically. However, if the lender does not participate in the Clearinghouse, you will need to submit a paper deferment form to the Office of the Registrar for manual processing. After the semester begins, all paper deferment forms are forwarded to the National Student Loan Clearinghouse for enrollment to be manually certified. You should continue to make loan payments until you are notified by your lender that the deferment has been approved.