Federal Unsubsidized (Stafford) Loans
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized (Stafford) loan program is the primary source of financial assistance to Georgetown Law students.
Students may apply for an annual maximum of $20,500 to $50,000 depending upon the program attended and whether the student has borrowed for the current academic program prior to June 30, 2026.Â
Unsubsidized Stafford loans first disbursed between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 have a fixed interest rate of 7.94%. Interest rates for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 will be updated in May. (Rates on Stafford loans disbursed during other times(This link opens in a new tab) vary.) The interest to accrues separately until the time the student enters repayment, at which point the interest will capitalize (i.e., become part of the principal). Repayment on the loans generally begins six months after graduation, or six months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. There is a 1.057% origination fee on new Direct Stafford loans.
These loans are generally disbursed in two installments, half at the beginning of each semester. Funds disburse electronically and are posted to the student’s account no sooner than just prior to the start of classes. Funds will be applied first to the outstanding account balance (tuition, housing, and other authorized charges) and the excess may be requested by the student for transfer to a linked bank account for eligible living expenses.
Repayments are made over a 10-year period, unless the borrower extends the repayment period to up to 25 years (based on total loan volume borrowed). Stafford loans may be included in a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan (which have a repayment period of up to 30 years) and are eligible for Income-Driven Repayment, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Georgetown Law’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program.
There is a lifetime aggregate Federal Stafford Loan limit of $257,500. Of that amount, $57,500 is the undergraduate limit, $100,000 is limit for graduate programs (LL.M., MSL) and $200,000 (less any borrowed for a graduate program) is the for professional programs (J.D.)
Unsubsidized Stafford
**Origination fees of
1.062% reflect loans created between 10/1/2018 – 9/30/2019
1.059% reflect loans created between 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2020
1.057% reflect loans created between 10/1/2020 – 9/30/2024
**Interest rates of
6.6% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2018 – 6/30/2019
6.079% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2019 – 06/30/2020
4.30% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2020 – 06/30/2021
5.28% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2021 – 06/30/2022
6.54% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2022 – 06/30/2023
7.05% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2023 – 06/30/2024
8.08% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2024 – 06/30/2025
7.94% reflect loans disbursed between 7/1/2025 – 06/30/2026