Student Loans
In addition to scholarships, student loans are available to help students fund their legal education. 95% of students at American law schools take advantage of this form of financial aid.
Types of Student Loans
Federal Direct Loan Program
Beginning July 1, 2026, federal student aid rules will change substantially for graduate and professional students—including the discontinuation of the Grad PLUS Loan program for new borrowing under the H.R.1 Bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). For the most current information regarding this and its impact on 2026-2027 financial aid please visit CWSL’s What Law Students Need to Know.
Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. Some benefits of Federal Direct Loans include: low fixed interest rates; multiple repayment plans including several Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans; cancellation, discharge, and forgiveness of loans under certain circumstances; and postponement options, including deferment and forbearance of loan payments if you return to school or experience an economic hardship. Visit StudentAid.gov to find detailed information including current interest rates and loan fees and information on managing federal loans based on where you are in the process.
Before you receive your Federal Direct Loan funds, first time borrowers will be required to:
- Complete entrance counseling for graduate or professional students, a tool to ensure you understand your obligation to repay the loan.
- Sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), agreeing to the terms of the loan. Note, there are separate MPNs for Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans.
The two types of Federal Direct Loans available to students at California Western are Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS*.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at a fixed interest rate.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to eligible graduate or professional students to help pay for educational expenses, up to the student’s cost of attendance, minus other aid offered. A credit check is required. Borrowers who have adverse credit histories must meet additional requirements to qualify.
*Starting July 1, 2026 Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans will only be available to students who meet legacy provisions to continue borrowing under existing (pre‑OB3) loan rules.
Private Student Loans
Student loans can also come from private sources, such as banks or financial institutions; these are commonly known as private student loans. Eligibility for private student loans depends on your credit history and the lender’s approval criteria, and the terms and conditions can vary widely.
Private student loans do not increase your overall financial aid eligibility. The maximum amount you can borrow is limited by your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid you receive. For information on the COA, visit the Tuition and Fees section of the CWSL website.
The CWSL Financial Aid Office encourages students to compare the benefits of federal and private student loans. While private loans may offer lower interest rates for borrowers with strong credit, federal loans provide benefits and protections that may make them a better option. For this reason, we recommend maximizing your federal loan eligibility before considering a private loan.
Before applying for a private student loan, please ensure that you read and understand the following information: Truth in Lending Act. Additionally, while it is the lender's responsibility to provide you with a Private Educational Loan Applicant Self Certification Form, you can also access the form here if needed: Private Educational Loan Applicant Self Certification Form.
For more information or to see a list of private student loan lenders, see: CWSL Lender List.
If you choose to pursue a private student loan, apply directly through the lender of your choice. Request the total amount you need for both the fall AND spring terms, and review all application and promissory note materials carefully. Once the loan is secured, email the Financial Aid Office at JavaScript Required from your CWSL student email account to request school certification. Be sure to include the lender name and the amount you are requesting.
Disclaimer: The Financial Aid Office does not receive, and will not accept, inducements from lenders in exchange for inclusion in the Lender List, nor does CWSL share in the profits from student loans. Please see CWSL's Code of Conduct for Private Student Loans for more information.
Bar Study Loans
Bar study loans are private loans that can help cover expenses related to bar preparation and the bar exam. For more information or to see a list of bar study loan options, see: CWSL Lender List. To request certification of an approved bar study loan, please email JavaScript Required with the lender' name and the amount you wish to borrow.
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Financial Aid Office
If you have additional questions about student loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.