The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to students who have not had their Total Estimated Cost of Attendance met through other financial aid programs. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to qualify for federal loans. 

The annual maximum for the Unsubsidized Ford Federal Direct Loan program is $20,500.

Please click here for more information on the interest rate and loan fees. You may defer payment on the principal and interest, but interest does accrue from the time the loan is disbursed. If you defer interest payments, the interest is capitalized when the grace period ends. For next steps in the financial aid process, check your Financial Aid To Do List in MyUI.

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The Grad PLUS Loan is a federal educational credit-based loan that may be available to students who have not had their Total Estimated Cost of Attendance met through other financial aid programs and who do not have an adverse credit history. A credit check will be performed during the application process. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to qualify for federal loans.

If you have an adverse credit history, you may still be eligible to receive a Federal Direct PLUS Loan. Your credit history may be considered adverse if you are experiencing any of the following credit conditions: accounts currently 90+ days delinquent, unpaid collection accounts, bankruptcy discharge within the past five years, voluntary surrender of personal property to avoid repossession within the last five years, or repossession of collateral within the last five years.

Other conditions apply. 

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Private Educational Student Loans are loans available from private lenders for students. Private loans differ from Federal Direct Loans in several important ways:

• Annual and total loan limits are larger
• Interest rates quoted to students are based on credit approval, which is not guaranteed
• Deferment, cancellation and repayment terms are offered at the lender's discretion

It is recommended a student exhaust all federal loan options before going to the private market. The terms and conditions for private loans differ among lenders. Students are advised to carefully compare several lenders and their terms before choosing a lender. This information can typically be found on the lender's website, although students may need to contact the lender for specific information. Interest rates, fees, and other provisions are subject to changes the lender makes. Students can search for Private Education Student Loans online. The link below provides a list of preferred lenders:

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Bar Exam Loans are private educational loans. They are available for third-year students only and enable them to borrow funds for the costs associated with taking the bar, bar registration, bar review, and living expenses.

These types of loans do not require Private Loan Counseling with the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid, unlike Private Student Loans. Certification is done through the College of Law's Financial Aid Office, and the funds are disbursed directly to the student.

A credit check is required, and you may need a creditworthy cosigner. 

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Summer Grants Program

The Summer Grants Program is designed to ease the financial burden of University of Iowa law students working in unpaid summer positions. There are several grants available for summer.  A student need only submit one Summer Grant Application, and if eligible, will be considered for multiple grants.  

The majority of the grants are for students volunteering over the summer for a public interest non-profit organization or government agency (including in judicial chambers).  Public interest agencies include IRS Code 501(c)(3) entities, government agencies, and advocacy groups. See the Summer Grants page for more information. Below are some of the funds that support our Summer Grants Program.

EJF

The Equal Justice Foundation (EJF) summer stipend program has been in existence for more than 15 years. This summer stipend program is intended to help current students contribute their time and legal skills in their summer breaks to people who normally would not have access to legal advocacy. The Iowa Law School Foundation matches the funds raised each year by the EJF students through book sales, a law school auction, a chili cook-off and LawLawPalooza. The selection process and applications are handled by EJF. For details, see the Summer Grants page.

Summer Internship Class of 1998 Fund

The Public Interest Summer Internship Class of 1998 Fund was established by the Class of 1998 to support students who pursue summer internships at public interest organizations. Recipients must be currently enrolled law students and must demonstrate procurement of summer employment in public interest law, an area that includes Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) entities, government agencies, and advocacy groups. Projected summer employment compensation must be either low or unpaid. The applicant’s level of need and the intensity of commitment to public interest law are the primary criteria for selection. Academic achievement will not be considered a factor. A committee of faculty and staff selects recipients. For details, see the Summer Grants page.

Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative (HELI)

Students working in the environmental field may qualify for support through HELI. Contact HELI for more information about these opportunities.

Students taking advantage of Study Abroad opportunities may be eligible for scholarship assistance.

Exchange - Semester

Students with Merit Tuition Scholarships will automatically have their scholarship applied to the UI tuition they are billed during their exchange semester. Scholarships are not awarded for this program.

London Law/Summer Program in France 

These programs are not billed as base tuition or mandatory fees. Therefore, Merit Tuition Scholarships are not applicable. Students interested in these programs should contact our office for more information about scholarship opportunities. 

Check with the our office to see if these opportunities are available.

3Ls have Senior Awards given at the end of the year. Students will learn more about these opportunities during their 3L year.

Public Interest Law Award

The Public Interest Law Award was established in 1988 by the classes of 1987 and 1988 to honor and support law school graduates who choose to enter the field of public interest law. Eligible recipients must have more than $5,000 in student loan debt and demonstrate the procurement of employment in public interest law, an area that includes but is not limited to legal assistance groups, public defenders offices, special interest and minority group advocates, and civil liberties unions. The recipient's starting and projected average annual salary derived from the employment described above must be less than the standard amount calculated by the Iowa Law Financial Aid Office. This amount considers the student's debt, salary, and the high cost of living for those in a metropolitan area, among other factors. Recipients are selected by a committee. Applications are reviewed the summer after graduation. Students can apply here.

Public Interest Law Foundation Grant

Public Interest Law Foundation Grant was established to encourage and support students engaged in public interest legal work. In 1995 the Iowa Law Foundation Board, at the recommendation of students and faculty, agreed that $20,000 of annual spendable earnings from non-restricted endowed scholarship accounts be awarded in the form of grants to 3-5 third-year students. The recipients must have demonstrated a commitment to pursuing public interest work and have substantial indebtedness from student loans. A committee of faculty and staff selects recipients. Students can apply here.

HELI has a variety of funding available for Iowa Law students, incoming and returning. Check with HELI for more information.