- Cover 100% of the costs1 for a law school degree2
- Flexible repayment options and zero origination fees
- Option to fully defer repayment during clerkship
Here's our current law school loan interest rates we offer:
Variable rates
3.95%
to 16.49% APR
Fixed rates
2.89%
to 16.49% APR
(all rates shown include auto-pay discount)3
Should I Choose a Variable or Fixed Rate?
If you’re considering law school, you know that it’s an expensive venture. But it’s a path with many opportunities beyond the classroom and courtroom. That’s why you should consider all the costs associated with law school so you’re prepared and informed before making the decision. Start with deciding whether you want a fixed or variable interest rate3.
Variable Rate
3.95%
to 16.49% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount3
Variable interest rates are tied to a market index and will fluctuate - up or down - over time with the market. This will change your monthly payment amount.
Changes to the rate are typically based on a publicly available interest rate index such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).
Fixed Rate
2.89%
to 16.49% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount3
Fixed interest rates stay the same for the entire repayment period. You will have the same monthly payment amount every month after entering full repayment.
How Does Our Law School Loan Compare?
| College Ave | Sallie Mae | Citizens Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Repayment Options |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| Select Your Own Repayment Term |
|
Limited | Limited |
| Apply in as Little as 3 Minutes |
|
|
|
| Grace Period | 9 months | 9 months | 6 months |
| Deferment during Clerkship |
|
|
|
*Comparisons based on information obtained on lenders' websites as of January 28th, 2026.
Focus On Preparing for the Bar Exam, Not How to Pay for It
You’re dedicated to the law, and we’re dedicated to you. College Ave also offers a Bar Study Loan that covers exam fees, test prep fees and living expenses for recent law school graduates.
College Ave at a Glance
Compare key details about College Ave private student loans, including available loan types, rate options, fees, cosigner considerations, borrowing limits, and what to prepare before applying.
| Topic | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan type | Private Law School Student Loan. | |
| Who it is for | For students pursuing a law degree (JD). | |
| Fixed APR | 2.89% to 16.49% | |
| Variable APR | 3.95% to 16.49% | |
| Loan amount | As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. Maximum $150,000. | |
| Repayment terms | Choice of in-school payment options (full principal and interest, interest only, $25 flat payment, or full deferment) and a range of repayment lengths (5, 8, 10, 15, 20 years). | |
| Grace period | 9 month grace periods begin once you graduate, enter post-graduate training or are enrolled in school less than half time. | |
| Deferment | 12 month deferment available during post-graduate clerkship. | |
| Cosigner | Optional; may help you qualify or lower your rate. Cosigner release available. | |
| Autopay discount | 0.25% rate reduction, already reflected in the rates above. | |
| Fees | No application fee, no origination fee, no prepayment penalty. | |
| Application | About 3 minutes to apply, with a fast credit decision; check your rate with no impact to your credit score. | |
| Information to prepare before applying | Social Security number, school name, estimated income and requested loan amount. |
Note: Rates shown include the auto-pay discount. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved rates depend on creditworthiness and other factors. Lowest advertised rates are available only to the most creditworthy applicants and may require selecting specific repayment options and loan terms.
Overwhelmed? Don't Be! Just Follow These Easy Steps
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, along with your credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduates students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we’ll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, along with your credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduates students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we’ll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
FAQ's for Law School Student Loans
-
How much can I borrow in student loans for law school?
The answer is, "it depends". It depends on whether you're taking out a federal student loan or a private student loan for school.
As of July 1, 2026, new law students can take out up to $50,000 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans each year they're in school with a lifetime/aggregate limit of $200,000.
Federal Direct PLUS loans for graduate school (also referred to as Grad PLUS loans) do not have an annual cap, you can borrow up to your cost of attendance each year. However, Grad PLUS loans are being eliminated from the federal student loan program as of July 1, 2026, with the passage of new legislation in July 2025 (also referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill").
If you're taking out a private law school student loan, the maximum amount you can borrow may depend on the lender. College Ave's law school student loan allow you to borrow up to the total cost of attendance1 for law school, minus any federal loans, grants, scholarships, and other aid you may have received.
-
What is the average cost of law school?
This changes year over year, but in 2025 the average cost of 3 years of law school was about $220,000. You can read more about law school costs in our complete guide.
-
Can I use a College Ave Law School Loan to pay for housing or living expenses?
Yes, your College Ave Law School Loan can be used for any expenses included in your school's certified cost of attendance, including housing, meals, and transportation.
-
What's the difference between a federal and private student loan?
Federal loans are funded by the federal government and offer a fixed interest rate and income-driven repayment options but may not cover all your costs. Private loans, offered from private banks and lenders, offer additional funding if federal aid isn't enough.
-
Do I have to make payments while in school?
While you do not need to make payments while in school, borrowers who choose to make in-school payments (like interest-only or flat $25/month) may receive lower interest rates and save significantly on total loan cost.
Footnotes
1
As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
2
You must be enrolled in a Juris Doctor (JD) degree program at an eligible school to qualify for the College Ave Student Loans Law School Loan.
3
Variable rates may increase after consummation. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.
4
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first year graduate student 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 6.27% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 33 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $145.75 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $14,817.03. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
5
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first-year graduate student 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 7.10% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 120 monthly payments of $141.66 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $16,699.21. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.