Due to the passage of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the following relevant changes to federal student loans will commence on July 1, 2026:

• Increase of the federal Unsubsidized (Stafford) Direct Loan from $20,500/year to $50,000/year for JD students (professional level). The federal Unsubsidized (Stafford) Direct Loan will remain capped at $20,500/year for LLM, MSL, and JSD students (graduate level).

   

• Students enrolled in less than full-time will have their federal Unsubsidized (Stafford) Direct Loan prorated based on their enrollment level. 

   

• Elimination of the federal Graduate PLUS Loan.

   

• A federal student loan aggregate lifetime borrowing limit of $257,500.
  • $200,000 aggregate lifetime limit for JD students (professional) + $57,500 for undergraduate education. 

  • $100,000 aggregate lifetime limit for LLM/Masters students (graduate) + $57,500 for undergraduate education. 

     

• Implementation of new federal student loan repayment plan options, such as RAP (Repayment Assistance Program, a new Income Driven Repayment plan option) and Standard (fixed repayment options ranging from 10 to 25 years).

   

Please Note:

• Students who begin their degree program at Cardozo after July 1, 2026 will be subject to these new federal student loan terms. 

• Students who have started their degree program at Cardozo prior to July 1, 2026, and received federal student loans in their degree program at Cardozo prior to July 1, 2026, will remain eligible for the remainder of their degree program to borrow federal loans under the current rules ($20,500/year Unsubsidized Stafford Loan cap, Graduate PLUS Loan option, no lifetime federal loan cap, no proration of federal loans due to enrollment level).

Degree Levels:

• Professional: JD
• Graduate: LLM, MSL, JSD

Students requiring additional financial assistance beyond their federal student loan limit, may consider applying for a private student loan to cover any remaining tuition and fees, and for living expenses. For information on private student loans and to review a variety of potential options, please visit our student loan webpage, and scroll down to the private student loan section: www.cardozo.yu.edu/studentloans

Please contact us if you have any questions: cardozostudentaid@yu.edu 

Additional Resources:

• National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU)
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates
• AccessLex Institute