Important Financial Aid Advisory
Beginning July 1, 2026, the federal government will limit graduate and professional student borrowing to $50,000 per year. Because this change may affect law students starting their 1L year in fall 2026 or later, we encourage all applicants to:
- Review their credit reports at annualcreditreport.com;
- Maintain strong credit, as private student lenders are expected to re-enter the market; and
- Learn more about how these new federal loan rules may affect law school financing at studentaid.gov. Understand that these new loan rules are still being drafted.
- Discuss financial planning with family or a trusted adviser well before enrolling.
Scholarships Awarded by the Law School
The Admissions Committee considers all individuals admitted to the law school for scholarships on the basis of merit. No separate scholarship application is necessary to be considered for law school scholarships, but the Committee strongly recommends that applicants file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the time of application for admission. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
Scholarship Retention Data
| Students Matriculating In | # Entering with Conditional Scholarships | # Whose Conditional Scholarships Have Since Been Reduced or Eliminated |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 |
Starting with the class enrolling in 2017, the law school removed conditions on merit scholarships. This means that students retain their merit scholarships so long as they are in good academic standing (i.e., a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or above).
Student Loans
The UNLV financial aid school code is 002569.
Because of the significant changes to federal student loans, effective July 1, 2026, you are strongly encouraged to read LSAC's Financial Aid FAQs and AccessLex's Student Aid Policy and Action Center.
For Current Students and Existing Borrowers (direct loans disbursed before July 1, 2026)
The information below applies to students who borrowed federal direct unsubsidized or graduate PLUS loans before July 1, 2026 under the current federal loan limits and terms. These students will be grandfathered in under the "legacy" student loan program until they complete their degree.
Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for the federal direct unsubsidized loan. The FAFSA is available each October for the following academic year. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available in October. Direct unsubsidized loans are usually offered at interest rates lower than consumer loans and repayment begins six months after graduation, or six months after enrollment drops to less than half-time status.
In addition to the direct unsubsidized loan, students may also be eligible for the federal graduate PLUS loan. The graduate PLUS loan is a non-need-based federal loan program that allows graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid they are receiving. The graduate PLUS loan application typically is available each spring for the following academic year. This program may be of interest to students who need additional assistance after other forms of aid have been awarded. These loans are contingent upon creditworthiness or require a creditworthy co-borrower. Students should review their credit history and address any necessary issues, as well as lower their consumer debt, prior to enrolling in school. Students can access their credit report online.
Students may receive scholarships and loans up to their estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). The total financial aid awards, in any combination, cannot exceed the estimated COA. Students whose basic expenses exceed this amount may contact the university's Financial Aid and Scholarships office to request an individual COA review after the semester begins.
For New Borrowers Beginning Fall 2026 and Later
Effective July 1, 2026, federal loan limits for law students will change. Under the new federal regulations, law students may borrow up to $50,000 annually in federal direct loans. Students beginning their legal studies in fall 2026 or later will be subject to these new borrowing limits. Additional details and guidance will be provided on Federal Student Aid's website as federal regulations are finalized and implemented.
Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this federal direct loan. The FAFSA is available each October for the following academic year. Students should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available in October.
ABA Standard - Student Loan Programs
For admitted students to receive their first subsidized, unsubsidized, or graduate PLUS loan at UNLV, they must complete entrance loan counseling and electronically sign their Master Promissory Note (MPN). The entrance loan counseling process ensures students have a full understanding of the rights and responsibilities they will incur upon accepting a federal student loan. The MPN serves as an authorization to borrow federal student loans through the Direct Loan program.
Additionally, in partnership with nonprofit AccessLex’s MAX, the law school provides student loan counseling to admitted students. MAX provides quick and easy to understand lessons, in-person and online learning options, one-on-one financial coaching from Accredited Financial Counselors, and scholarship incentives each year.