Federal Direct Loan Program

PLEASE NOTE: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, through the budget reconciliation process. This legislation contains provisions that reshape student financial aid, including significant changes to the federal student loan programs, most of which become effective for periods of enrollment beginning on or after July 1, 2026.

The information provided by Widener Law Commonwealth's Financial Aid Office represents the best information available at this time. It is based on our current understanding of the changing federal loan regulations and should not be considered official guidance. Please refer to federal government sources for all official rules and regulations. See studentaid.gov for more information. Updated 2/25/26

Jump to: Important Facts  |  Interest Rate/Fees  |  Application Process  |  Processing Loan Requests

Important Facts

Annual and maximum aggregate loan limits are based on your program’s credential level, when you began your program of study and your enrollment status.

Incoming JD students (beginning their program after July 1, 2026) through a Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan may borrow up to $50,000 per academic year as a full-time student and have an aggregate limit of 200,000.

Returning/Legacy* JD students may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year through a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan as a full-time student. Maximum annual and aggregate loans available to a student depend on the loan program and a student’s start date. Total aggregate borrowing in the federal loan program cannot exceed $138,500 for a Legacy* law or graduate student; this amount includes any undergraduate borrowing.

*Legacy students are those that borrowed a Federal Direct loan in the same degree program prior to July 1, 2026.

Interest Rate and Fees

The Federal Direct Loan Program sets interest rates on an annual basis and the rate assigned at disbursement is fixed for the life of the loan. Interest rates are set in June for loans disbursed on or after July 1. 

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan charges a fixed interest rate of 7.94% for loans disbursed July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 to graduate/professional students for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. All Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are charged a 1.057% origination fee from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2026.  

Application Process: Incoming Students and New Borrowers

Incoming students and new borrowers who want to apply for a Federal Direct Loan must complete a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.

• Use your FAFSA login to electronically sign the MPN.
• If this is your first time borrowing a Federal Direct Student Loan, you will also need to complete Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov.

Application Process: Returning Students

If you previously borrowed at Widener Law Commonwealth, you will not need to complete another MPN for your Federal Direct Loans (MPNs are valid for ten years). You will need to complete a Widener Law Commonwealth Financial Aid Data Form each year in order for us to fully process a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

USE SCHOOL CODE:  E00656- Widener Law Commonwealth

Packaging/Certifying Loan Requests

The Financial Aid Office certifies our student’s request for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans electronically. If you have not completed your Direct Loan requirements at the time we certify your eligibility, you will be contacted to complete the process. If you have any concerns or want to personally notify us that you have completed the application, please feel free to email our office.