Student Loans

In the 2025-26 academic year, graduate and professional degree students may access two types of federal student loans: Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. To qualify, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

On July 4, 2025, a reconciliation bill was signed into law that significantly impacts federal financial aid programs. One of the major changes is the elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan program, effective July 1, 2026.

Students who borrowed Graduate PLUS Loans before that date may continue under legacy provisions through the completion of their current program. However, new borrowers will no longer be eligible for Graduate PLUS Loans after July 1, 2026.

We are actively monitoring the implementation of this policy change and its implications for both current and prospective students. As more information becomes available—particularly regarding legacy provisions—we will update this page to keep you informed.

Federal student loans are available to most eligible students regardless of income. They feature flexible repayment plans, such as income-based options, and loan forgiveness benefits—advantages that private loans typically do not offer. However, federal loans are only available to students who qualify for federal student aid, generally limited to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. Students who are ineligible for federal or private loans should note that neither Berkeley Law nor UC Berkeley generally provides institutional loans.

LL.M. Programs

LL.M. Traditional Track: Students in this track are eligible to apply for federal student loans.

LL.M. Executive Track: 

• Remote + Summer Program: Students in this program must be enrolled at least half-time (defined by Berkeley as 6 credit units) for the courses that are required to complete their degree program to qualify for federal student loans. Therefore, you MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS FOR THE FALL TERM.

Two Summer Program: Students in the two summer program are not eligible for U.S. Federal Student Loans.

For the 2025-26 academic year, graduate and professional students may borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 annually, with no requirement to demonstrate financial need. While enrolled in at least 6 units, loan payments are deferred; however, interest accrues during this time and will capitalize (be added to the loan principal). Students can opt to pay accrued interest while in school to reduce overall costs. No credit check is required.

Starting July 1, 2026, professional degree students will be eligible to borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $50,000 annually, with the lifetime maximum eligibility of $200,000. 

For the 2025-26 academic year, Graduate PLUS Loans allow graduate and professional students to borrow up to the Cost of Attendance, minus other financial aid received. Unlike Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans require a credit check. However, eligibility is based on credit history—not credit score.

You may have an adverse credit history if:

• You have one or more debts totaling more than $2,085 that are at least 90 days delinquent, placed in collection, or written off within the past two years.
• Within the past five years, you’ve experienced any of the following:
  • Default on a debt
  • Discharge of debts in bankruptcy
  • Foreclosure
  • Repossession
  • Tax lien
  • Wage garnishment
  • Write-off of federal student aid debt

In the 2025-26 academic year, students with adverse credit may still qualify for a Graduate PLUS Loan by obtaining an endorser who meets credit requirements or by successfully appealing the credit decision.

The interest rate for a federal student loan varies depending on

• the loan type and
• the first disbursement date of the loan (for most types of federal student loans).

Interest Rates

Loan Fees*

*Please note that the total amount you receive from your federal student loans will be the accepted loan amount minus loan fees. For example, if you borrow $1,000 from a PLUS Loan, a loan fee of $42 will be deducted, leaving you with a net disbursement of $958.

*Important: The Graduate PLUS Loan will be eliminated on July 1, 2026. 

We recommend borrowing only what you need for the academic year to minimize debt after graduation. If you choose to borrow less than the maximum loan amount offered, you can increase your loan later in the academic year (up until late April of the spring semester). If you need guidance in determining how much to borrow, our team is here to help.

1. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
2. Submit the Master Promissory Note (MPN):
   • If applying for both Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS Loans, you must complete two separate MPNs.
3. Complete the Entrance Counseling: Only one entrance counseling session is required.
4. It typically takes about a week for UC Berkeley to receive your FAFSA application. Once we receive your application electronically, federal student loans will be offered to you.
   1. Students can accept or decline loan offers through CalCentral, except for dual-degree students. If you are a dual-degree student, please contact our office to accept your loans.
5. Once the student loan offer is accepted via CalCentral, UC Berkeley will link your MPN and Entrance Counseling to your loan application and process your loan. Please expect the loan to be disbursed within 2 weeks.  

For students who aren’t eligible for federal student loans, private student loans can be an option worth exploring. The University of California provides a Preferred Lender List, which you can use to compare various loan terms. Students are eligible to borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid received. 

Please note that most private lenders will conduct a credit check, and your credit score will play a big role in determining your interest rate. Depending on your credit profile, you might find that private loans offer lower or higher interest rates than federal loans. Some private lenders will require a guarantor based in the United States.

Disclaimer:  The Financial Aid Office does not receive and will not accept inducements from lenders in exchange for inclusion in the Preferred Lender List, nor does Berkeley Law share in the profits from student loans. Click here for the University of California Code of Conduct in Regard to Preferred Lender Arrangements.

Generally, private student loans are more expensive than federal student loans, but understanding the key differences would help you make more informed decisions about which type of loan you’d like to borrow. The chart below provides a summary of the differences:

1. Use the University of California’s Preferred Lender List. 
2. Submit an application directly with the lender of your choice.
3. Notify our office of your pending application.
4. Private Student Loans usually get certified within 2 weeks and will be disbursed to your student account as soon as the funds are available.

Any of the following students who meet the requirements for a nonresident supplemental tuition exemption can apply for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA):

• Undocumented students
• DACA recipients (valid or expired)
• Students with a U visa
• Students with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

U.S. citizens or permanent residents whose parent(s) or spouse are undocumented can also apply for the CADAA if they do not want to submit a FAFSA. 

The DREAM Loan carries the same interest rate as the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. Once you take out a DREAM Loan for a given academic year, its interest rate remains fixed. However, rates for future loans may vary.

No interest accrues while you are enrolled at least half-time. After graduation (or if you drop below half-time enrollment), you have a 6-month grace period before repayment begins.

Eligible students can borrow up to $4,000 per academic year through the DREAM Loan Program.

These loans are intended to cover bar exam costs and living expenses while preparing for the examination. The application will be available on our Berkeley Law Forms page each spring. This loan is not a federal student loan and therefore does not qualify for LRAP and cannot be consolidated with federal student loans. The University Bar Study Loan is not available to students who are blocked or have a university account that is past due.

• Loan amount: up to $15,000
• What expenses the loan covers: Bar exam review courses, preparatory materials, bar exam deposits and fees, and living expenses
• Interest Rate: 5.5% fixed
• Please see the University Bar Study Loan repayment options at Heartland ECSI
• Other requirements: SSN or ITIN for students without an SSN. U.S. address where you can receive mail permanently is currently required
• How to apply: Berkeley Law Forms page

Private educational loans are available by a private bank or lending agency for educational purposes. International students may qualify if the loan is co-signed by a creditworthy US citizen or permanent resident. Most likely, a US co-signer and SSN will be required. 

The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) maintains a Preferred Lender List. Choose UC Berkeley and then search “Bar” on the Program Type menu. 

• Loan amount: Varies, $1k – $16K
• What expenses the loan covers: Bar exam review courses, preparatory materials, bar exam deposits and fees, and living expenses
• Interest Rate: Varies, 4.34% – 16.74%
• Other requirements: Typically requires that the borrower be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, or a foreign borrower applying with a creditworthy cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Application availability varies by lender. Typically, students may apply if they are in their last year of law school. If a student has graduated, they must have graduated within a certain number of days (again, varies by lender).
• How to apply: Directly with a lender 

The main campus Financial Aid and Scholarships Office offers short-term emergency loans to help students meet unanticipated expenses directly related to the cost of education. 

While the majority of emergency loans are eligible for automatic approval and issued rapidly, submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Some students are asked to provide additional information prior to notification of a decision, so please respond promptly to any requests related to your emergency loan application. Students should allow for 2–3 business days for emergency loans to be reviewed and approved. 

Please visit the Short-Term Emergency Loans page to learn more about the application deadline, how to apply, repayment terms, and other helpful information. 

If your federal student loan doesn’t fully cover your tuition, fees, or living expenses, you can request an increase up to the annual limit and cost of attendance. Additionally, you may return all or part of your loan within 120 days of disbursement.

If you want to reduce your undisbursed student loans or return some or all of your disbursed loans, we are here to help! However, if you need to borrow additional funds, please contact your private loan lender to determine if a new application is required.

Visit our Financial Aid Forms page to access the loan modification request form. Most requests are processed within a week.