The interest rate for new Federal Direct Stafford Loans is a fixed 6.8%. A fee of 1% will be deducted from the loan amount at disbursement. The annual maximum award amount is $20,500. The aggregate maximum, including all prior Stafford Loan debt, is $138,500 combined for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans.  Repayment begins six months after graduation, after withdrawal, or after enrollment drops below half-time. The standard repayment term is ten years but may be extended through various repayment plans. Beginning with student loan periods that commence on or after July 1, 2012, the Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan will no longer be available to law students.

Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan

The Unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan accrues interest while you are enrolled in school and during the grace period. The annual maximum loan amount is $20,500.

Students are notified of their Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility as part of their Suffolk University Law School award letter. New students awarded Stafford Loans are required to complete a Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).

New students are also required to complete Entrance Counseling prior to the disbursement of any Stafford Loan funds.

Suffolk University is committed to the highest standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior.  Ensuring the integrity of the student financial aid process and programs is critical to providing equity and access to higher education.  With the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, Congress required that all colleges post a Code of Conduct relating to financial aid, private lending and student choice.  Hence, the staff in the Office of Financial Aid herein confirms that we adhere to the following sound practices:

I. University employees do not receive any personal benefits from Lending Institutions.  No member of the Student Financial Services staff will accept anything of more than a nominal value on his or her behalf of another person or entity from any Lending Institution.  For example, cash, stocks, gifts, entertainment, expense-paid trips, etc., will never be accepted from a Lending Institution.  Likewise, an individual will never accept payment or reimbursement from a Lending Institution for lodging, meals or travel to conferences or training seminars.

II. The University does not provide any advantage to a Lending Institution.  The Staff in the Student Financial Services does not accept anything of value from any Lending Institution in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to the Lending Institution related to its student loan activities, including, but not limited to revenue-sharing, printing costs or below-cost computer hardware or software.  Likewise, the university does not allow any Lending Institution to staff the Student Financial Services Office or the Student Services calling center at any time.

III. The University makes appropriate use of any “Suggested Lender Lists”.  The selection of the Lending Institutions for inclusion on the private/alternative loans Suggested Lender List is based solely on the best interests of the university students and their parents without regard to the financial interests of the university.  We abide by the following:

IV. University employees do not serve on lender advisory boards for remuneration.  No officer, trustee or employee of the university who makes financial aid decisions for the university or who is employed in, supervises or otherwise has responsibility or authority over the university Office of Student Financial Services will receive any remuneration for serving as a member or participant on a student loan advisory board of a Lending Institution, or receive any reimbursement of expenses for such service.

Students should apply for Stafford Loans first and then apply for private educational loans, if needed. These loans must be approved by the lender and therefore require the borrower to be credit-worthy. The Office of Financial Aid encourages first-time borrowers to begin the private loan pre-approval process early, as this allows time to resolve any issues on your credit report and to secure a co-signer for the loan (if necessary). Generally, credit checks for private educational loans are more stringent than the credit check for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Therefore, students with credit issues may find it easier to obtain credit approval for a Direct Grad PLUS Loan. Additionally, students planning to pursue a career in public interest legal work should consider borrowing through the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan instead of through a private loan, since federal loan debt can be forgiven after ten years in public interest work. (Click for more information on the public interest loan forgiveness provision of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act).      

Students apply for private educational loans annually and may borrow up to the cost of attendance less other financial aid. Loan fees and interest rates vary by lender and are often based on a student's credit score. Interest begins to accrue upon disbursement of the loan; however, monthly loan payments may be deferred until after graduation.  See the Graduate PLUS and Private Loan Comparison Chart for more detailed information regarding loan terms.

Students should apply for a private educational loan after receiving their award letter from Suffolk University Law School, in order to determine the loan amount to request. The Office of Financial Aid encourages students to review their budget and borrow conservatively. To apply, contact your preferred lender directly to complete the loan application. Suffolk University Law School will process private educational loans through any lender. 

Students should compare private educational loan lenders to determine which lender best meets their needs. Suffolk University Law School has no financial interest in a student’s choice of lender. Students should be aware, however, that each time they apply for a loan with a lender, a credit check is performed. Students denied a private educational loan should contact the credit department of the lender to determine the reason for the denial. Students who cannot resolve their credit issues and obtain the loan can apply for the loan with a co-borrower or can apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.

Important Things to Consider When Applying for a Private Educational Loan:

• Exhaust all forms of federal aid prior to borrowing an alternative or private loan.
  
  
• Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal aid, including Stafford loans. 
  
  
• Use a Payment Plan. Suffolk offers a monthly payment plan through Tuition Management Systems (TMS) which allows costs, or a portion of costs, to be paid in installments over 10 months. Families who utilize the TMS plan often borrow less than those who do not and can save hundreds of dollars in interest fees over time. 
  
  
• Consider a Federal Graduate PLUS loan.
  
  
• Carefully Determine the Amount of your Alternative Loan to borrow no more than is actually needed.
  
  
• Be sure to plan for both fall and spring semester costs and borrow only the amount you actually need to cover your educational-related expenses. Keep in mind you may be able to significantly reduce your borrowing by covering yearly costs with a combination of sources: savings, present income, payment plans, and federal loans.

When Choosing a Private Lender:

Suffolk University Law School students may select a private lender of their choice. The Office of Financial Aid will process any private alternative loan application submitted by the borrower provided all eligibility requirements are met.

For more information regarding the various private student loan options available, you may visit finaid.org. Here you will find contact information and details on many available alternative loans. We encourage you to compare all programs before selecting the best option for you. When doing your research, be sure to visit the individual websites for each program you are considering and keep in mind that your local bank or credit union may be another source to consider when choosing a private loan program.

• Understand fixed vs. variable interest rates: Fixed interest rates will not change during the entire life of the loan, although they may be slightly higher than some variable rates currently.Variable rates could rise during the loan term, which could lead to higher monthly payments. Choosing a loan with a low variable rate over a loan with a fixed rate may be best for a student who plans to pay off the principle of the loan in a short period of time.
  
  
• Take into consideration the total "price" of a loan: The interest rate is not the only factor for loan price comparison; look at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR),as well as any fees associated with the loan. A loan with a lower interest rate might seem more favorable, but high fees on the lower rate means it might actually be more expensive overall.
  
  
• Review deferred payment vs. immediate repayment options: Some lenders require immediate repayment on their loans. These monthly payments, however, can be as low as $25 a month and make a significant difference in the overall "price" of the loan. If the loan you choose offers deferred payments, making small payments while in school will help lower accrued interest and can make a dramatic difference in the length of time it takes to repay the loan.
  
  
• Use a Co-Borrower: A credit-worthy co-signer is often required for an application to be approved. In most cases, using a co- borrower results in lower interest rates and better loan terms. Even students with a credit history are encouraged to apply with a credit-worthy co-signer, since it could reduce interest rates significantly and save hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan.
  
  
• Understand loan eligibility requirements: Most lenders require a credit-worthy borrower with income verification for approval. Many loan products also have additional eligibility requirements that may include: satisfactory academic progress, minimum enrollment status (at least half time enrollment), and type of degree program. Before applying, make sure you meet all eligibility requirements.