5 Best Law School Loans of October 2019

Key facts

Graduate students can receive only unsubsidized direct loans. They can also qualify for federal graduate PLUS loans, which have higher interest rates and fees than unsubsidized loans but allow you to borrow more money.

Pros

• More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers compared with private lenders.

• All borrowers who attend a school authorized to receive federal aid qualify.

Cons

• May have higher interest rates compared with private lenders.

• You pay an origination fee.

• You can’t see if you’ll qualify without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

• Grad PLUS loan borrowers must not have adverse credit history.

• Borrowers with adverse credit history can still receive a grad PLUS loan by enlisting a co-signer without adverse credit history or documenting extenuating circumstances for their credit history.

• Loan amounts: Total cost of attendance minus other financial aid.

Available Term Lengths

10 to 25 years once repayment begins, depending on the repayment plan.

Disclaimer

Key facts

Rating and details displayed are for College Ave's private student loan. College Ave’s law school loan offers a 12-month deferment during a clerkship.

Pros

• You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• International students can qualify with a co-signer.

• More flexible repayment options than other lenders.

Cons

• No formal forbearance options.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Mid-700s.

• Minimum income: $35,000 per year.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 to $80,000.

Available Term Lengths

5, 8, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

College Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust Bank, member FDIC or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 9/3/2019. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation.

Key facts

Rating and details displayed are for Sallie Mae's private student loan. Sallie Mae's law school loan is available to students enrolled less than half-time, making this a good option if you're studying for your JD at night or part-time. The loan also offers 48 months of deferment during a clerkship or fellowship.

Pros

• One of the few lenders to provide loans to part-time students.

• Borrowers can access online tutoring and free credit score tracking.

• Non-U.S. citizens, including DACA students, can apply with a co-signer.

Cons

• You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Information not available on minimum qualifying credit scores or income.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Does not disclose.

• Minimum income: Did not disclose.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified expenses.

Available Term Lengths

5 to 15 years

Disclaimer

Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount: Fixed 4.74% - 11.35% APR and Variable 3.12% - 10.54% APR. Interest rates for Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options are higher than interest rates for the Interest Repayment Option. You're charged interest starting at disbursement, while in school, during your separation/grace period, and until the loan is paid in full. The repayment option that is selected will apply during the in-school and separation/grace periods. When you enter principal and interest repayment, Unpaid Interest will be added to your loan's Current Principal. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Advertised APRs are valid as of 09/25/2019 and assume a $10,000 loan to a freshman with no other Sallie Mae loans. Additional information regarding the auto debit discount: Borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month and may be suspended during periods of forbearance or deferment, if available for the loan. Loan amounts: $1000 up to 100% of the school certified expenses: Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received as certified by the school. Sallie Mae reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Repayment term of 5 to 15 years: This repayment example is based on a typical Smart Option Student Loan made to a freshman borrower who chooses a fixed rate and the Fixed Repayment Option for a $10,000 loan, with two disbursements, and a 8.44% fixed APR. It works out to 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $156.04 and one payment of $118.97, for a Total Loan Cost of $19,962.73.

Key facts

Rating and details displayed are for Citizen One's private student loan. Citizens One provides students seeking law degrees with higher aggregate loan limits than they do for students in general graduate school programs — $225,000 vs. $150,000.

Pros

• International students can qualify with a co-signer.

• Loyalty discount for existing Citizens Bank customers.

Cons

• You must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher.

• You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.

• Minimum income: Did not disclose.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 to $100,000

Available Term Lengths

5, 10 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Variable rate, based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") published in The Wall Street Journal on the twenty-fifth day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month. As of October 1, 2019, the one-month LIBOR rate is 2.05%. Variable interest rates range from 3.08%-11.41% (3.08%-11.26% APR) and will fluctuate over the term of the loan with changes in the LIBOR rate, and will vary based on applicable terms, level of degree earned and presence of a co-signer. Fixed interest rates range from 4.40%-12.19% (4.40% - 12.04% APR) based on applicable terms, level of degree earned and presence of a co-signer. Lowest rates shown requires application with a co-signer, are for eligible applicants, require a 5-year repayment term, borrower making scheduled payments while in school and include our Loyalty and Automatic Payment discounts of 0.25 percentage points each, as outlined in the Loyalty Discount and Automatic Payment Discount disclosures. Subject to additional terms and conditions, and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Such changes will only apply to applications taken after the effective date of change. Please note: Due to federal regulations, Citizens One is required to provide every potential borrower with disclosure information before they apply for a private student loan. The borrower will be presented with an Application Disclosure and an Approval Disclosure within the application process before they accept the terms and conditions of the loan.

Key facts

An option for borrowers who want flexible repayment.

Pros

• Option to skip one payment every 12 months.

• No late fees.

• Nine-month grace period is longer than most lenders offer.

Cons

• You can’t see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

• Loans aren't available in Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas and Virginia.

Qualifications

• Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Did not disclose.

• Minimum income: $35,000.

• Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years

Disclaimer