hku law phd student

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Grades and Honours Classifications

In all of your law assessments, you will be graded by reference to the following grading criteria .

Degree Classifications

All degrees offered at the Faculty of Law will be awarded in 5 divisions determined by the Board of Examiners for the degree in accordance with the following Cumulative GPA scores, with all courses taken (including failed courses) carrying equal weighting:

Notwithstanding the above, the Board of Examiners has the discretion to limit the number of candidates to be awarded a particular class of honours as follows:

• First: no more than 10% of the graduating class;
• Second (Division One): no more than 55% of the graduating class
• Second (Division Two); Third: Pass and Fail: remainder of the graduating class

How to calculate my GPA?

“Grade Point Average” (GPA) is a numerical measure of a candidate’s academic achievement over a specified period of time. You can get your GPA by using GPA Calculator .

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Introduction of WISE programme

Course Selection Period You must select ALL your courses for the entire 2024-2025 academic year in this period 10:00 am, 12 Aug 2024 – 16:00 pm, 16 Aug 2024

1st semester Dates Teaching Period: 9 Sep 2024 – 30 Nov 2024 Add-drop Period, except intensive courses (See Note 1; for MCL students see also Note 2): 9 – 23 Sep 2024 Assessment Period: 7 – 23 Dec 2024 Release of Assessment Results: Mid-Jan, 2025

January semester (Optional - Intensive course(s)) Dates Teaching Period: Jan-Mar 2025 Add-drop Period (See Note 1): Ends immediately after the second class (by session) Assessment Period Feb – May 2025 (TBC by course teacher(s)) Release of Assessment Results: Mid-Jun, 2025

2nd semester Dates Teaching Period: 27 Jan 2025 – 3 May 2025 Add-drop Period, except intensive courses (See Note 1; for MCL students see also Note 3): 27 Jan 2025 – 18 Feb 2025 Assessment Period: 12 – 27 May 2025 Release of Assessment Results: Mid-Jun, 2025

June semester (Optional - Intensive course(s)) Dates Teaching Period: May-Jun 2025 Add-drop Period (See Note 1): Ends immediately after the second class (by session) Assessment Period: Jun - Jul 2025 (TBC by course teacher(s)) Release of Assessment Results: Mid-Sep, 2025

Note 1: Intensive courses are any courses that are taught within a short period of time (typically 3-4 weeks). Add-drop period for all intensive courses, including January and June semester courses, ends immediately after the second class (by session).

Note 2: The add-drop period for MCL students choosing a one-semester or a full-year LLB course in the 1st semester is 10:00 am, 2 Sep 2024 – 4:00 pm, 15 Sep 2024.

Note 3: The add-drop period for MCL students choosing a one-semester LLB course in the 2nd semester is 10:00 am, 20 Jan 2025 – 4:00 pm, 2 Feb 2025.

(1) There is a minimum attendance requirement of 70% for each course, failing which you may not be permitted to sit the final examination. If you are unable to attend any class or you have any difficulties in continuing the programme, please inform the General Office in writing ([email protected]) as soon as possible or as soon as practicable.

(2) Warning letters may be issued to those students who have missed two classes.  Students will be required to give formal explanations to the Head of Department for their absences.  Medical proof must be provided if the absence was due to illness, otherwise, no leave will be granted. As a general rule, work-related reasons are not sufficient to justify non-attendance at classes.

If you hope to undertake a research dissertation as part of your programme, you should first contact a potential supervisor as early as possible to discuss the proposed topic. Begin by checking the research interests of faculty members listed at Faculty’s website. Further details and instructions for preparing a dissertation proposal are given in the course descriptions under LLAW6014 (18 credits) and LLAW6054 (9 credits).

For LLMs / MCL students (a) You must access the Student Information System (SIS) in HKU Portal during the course selection period to choose ALL your courses for the entire academic year. This will only be available in August.

(b) If you have a degree in a discipline other than law, you must take the foundational law course(s) in your first year to gain the background knowledge which is essential for the more advanced courses in the programme.

(c) If you run into technical difficulties, please refer to How to select a course in SIS or Student’s Guide to the SIS , or contact ITS Service Desk at 3917 0123 / [email protected].

(d) You may use the Student Information System (SIS) in HKU Portal to modify your choice of courses before the end of the course selection period and/or the add-drop period in each regular semester.

(e) Most elective courses have fixed quotas. Priority in an oversubscribed course is generally given to students who have properly registered for the course (see (c) above) and who need that course to fulfil syllabus requirements.

(f) Don’t panic if the course is full. It is common for students to drop course all the way up to the end of the add/drop period and the course will be open again when there are available places, via Student Information System (SIS) in HKU Portal. While you are waiting, you might try to explore if there are other options or alternatives for fulfilling your study path.

(g) It is your responsibility to CHECK your enrolment records shown in SIS. If any discrepancy and/or error (i.e., incorrect sub-class) is found, you should report to the Department for correction as soon as possible. Please note that this is NOT an extended deadline for the add/drop period. No further changes to course selection nor enrolment will be entertained.

(h) Your enrolment records are taken as confirmed, and you will be admitted to the examinations for those courses that are listed in the SIS.

(i) Late add or late drop is not allowed unless you have extraordinarily strong reasons with valid supporting documents.

(j) When planning your course selections please note any applicable prerequisites – some courses require you to successfully complete another course prior to being eligible to take the course. You must plan your study programme in view of any such prerequisites.

(k) We seek your understand that the General Office receives overwhelming number of emails during the course selection period and the add‒drop period, and will be unable to respond immediately to your request. Please allow time for course approval and avoid sending duplicate enquiries. If you have any questions related to course enrolment, please email to [email protected] .

(l) If you are sucessfully enrolled in the course as shown in the SIS, whilst your name is missing from a course attendance list, then when classes begin simply inform the course instructor and add your name to the list.

(m) Courses offered in June semester are intensive courses. Enrolment and the study load will be counted as summer semester courses on academic transcript. Assessment result will only be released in next academic year (i.e., mid-September). Failure in a June semester course at first attempt will defer your graduation and affect your study plan (i.e., admission to the PCLL, PhD).

Changes to Course Selection

(a) Course enrolment is to be conducted online via the Student Information System (SIS) in HKU Portal as scheduled below. Please click HERE for instructions.

(b) Dropping an intensive course in mid‒semester means that you will be unable to make up lost credits in that same semester, and will need to take an extra course in the semester that follows, which may/will affect your study progress and defer your graduation.

(1) FAQs on Visa-related Matters (by Admissions Office, Registry, HKU)

(2) Non-local students who wish to take up curriculum-related internship in Hong Kong during their semester break, reading week, or after their final exams should approach the General Office (in-person at 10/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, or by email at [email protected]) for eligibility checking and necessary document(s) before they accept internship offers.

(3) Final year students intending to apply for a new Hong Kong student, work or IANG visa after completing their programmes should note that all applications to the Immigration Department must include appropriate proof of completion, for example, a final transcript or certificate of graduation issued by the HKU Registry. Course grades for 2nd semester are normally available each year in late June or early July; grades for June semester courses will be available only after September. The Immigration Department typically takes 8 weeks to process visa applications, and it is recommended that non–local students complete ALL of their programme requirements (including submitting a final dissertation if necessary) by the end of the 2nd semester to avoid a delay in the issue of a new visa.

(4) A student visa will expire on the date as shown on the landing slip, or four weeks after termination of studies, whichever is earlier. Non-local students who expect that their student visa will expire before the approval of their next visa in Hong Kong should apply for “Extension of Stay” directly at the Immigration Department. Click here for details and application .

Contact Info

Faculty of Law, 10/F, Cheng Yu Tung Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

T. (852) 3917 2952 E.  [email protected]

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Research Areas

HKU offers PhD and MPhil programmes in all faculties and schools/departments. Applicants will be requested to indicate the proposed department or interdisciplinary research area in the application based on your areas of interest. The list of faculties, schools/departments and interdisciplinary research areas admitting research postgraduate students are listed below. You may also search for potential supervisor from the HKU Scholars Hub .

Note: Academic units admitting research postgraduate students are marked with # in the list.

Faculty of Arts

Schools/Centres: School of Chinese # School of English # School of Humanities #

Disciplines:            Art History            Comparative Literature            Gender Studies            History            Linguistics            Music            Philosophy

School of Modern Languages and Cultures #

Disciplines:            African Studies            American Studies            China Studies            European Studies            Global Creative Industries            Japanese Studies            Korean Studies

Centre for Applied English Studies * Centre of Buddhist Studies # Centre for Humanities and Medicine * *Applications are not accepted for admission in 2025/26

Faculty of Business and Economics #

Disciplines:            Accounting            Economics            Finance            Innovation and Information Management            Management and Strategy            Marketing

Note: Faculty of Business and Economics will only consider applications for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme

Faculty of Dentistry #

Disciplines:             Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care            Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery            Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics            Periodontology and Implant Dentistry            Restorative Dental Sciences  

Faculty of Education #

Disciplines:            Language and Literacy Education            Human Communication, Learning, and Development            Mathematics, Science, and Technology            Social Contexts and Policies of Education

Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre #

Note: Applicants who would like to pursue their studies in Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre can refer to the research areas available in the profile of the respective academic staff.

Faculty of Engineering

Departments: Department of Civil Engineering # Department of Computer Science # Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering # Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering # Department of Mechanical Engineering # ​​

Faculty of Law

Department: Department of Law #

LKS Faculty of Medicine

Schools/Departments/Institute: School of Biomedical Sciences # School of Chinese Medicine # School of Clinical Medicine              Department of Anaesthesiology #             Department of Clinical Oncology #             Department of Diagnostic Radiology #             Department of Emergency Medicine #             Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care #             Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit #             Department of Medicine #             Department of Microbiology #             Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology #             Department of Ophthalmology #             Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology #             Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine #             Department of Pathology #             Department of Psychiatry #             Department of Surgery # School of Nursing # Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy # School of Public Health # Bau Institute of Medical and Health Sciences Education #

Note: Applicants who would like to pursue their studies in HKU-Pasteur Research Centre can approach the Departmental Research Postgraduate Advisor/Contact Person of the Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine for application instructions.

Faculty of Science 

Schools/Departments: School of Biological Sciences # Department of Chemistry # Department of Earth Sciences # Department of Mathematics # Department of Physics # Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science #

Faculty of Social Sciences

Departments/Centre/Institute: Department of Geography # Department of Politics and Public Administration # Department of Psychology # Department of Social Work and Social Administration # Department of Sociology # Journalism and Media Studies Centre # Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences #

Data Science Biomedical Engineering Participating Faculties/Departments: Faculty of Dentistry Faculty of Engineering 　　　　　　 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering 　　　　　　 Department of Mechanical Engineering LKS Faculty of Medicine 　　　　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​ School of Biomedical Sciences 　　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​ Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine 　　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​ Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine 　　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​ Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine 　　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​　​​​​​​​ Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine

Note: Depending on the research area and other considerations, PhD and MPhil students admitted under interdisciplinary research areas may be affiliated to another academic unit.

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Being the most international faculty in HKU, HKU Business School has well-established, strategic partnership with world renowned universities and corporate partners over the years, providing market-oriented content, superior learning experience and instrumental resources for our students.

Collaborative Programmes

EMBA-Global Asia

Under the tripartite partnership with  Columbia Business School  and  London Business School , the  EMBA-Global Asia  programme offers students a globally focused learning experience, networks and multifaceted perspectives that will deepen their understanding of Western and Eastern business practices and prepare them for leadership success.

The HKU-PKU Doctor of Business Administration (HKU-PKU DBA) Programme is jointly offered with Guanghua School of Management, Peking University. It is designed to nurture business leaders with excellent research expertise and strategic global vision, to enhance the competitiveness of domestic enterprises and to strengthen the real economy in China.

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach with a global perspective and a China focus, the HKU-PKU Master of Business Administration (HKU-PKU EMBA) programme offers advanced business education and cutting-edge knowledge in business and finance to leaders from all industries. The academic partnership with Guanghua School of Management, Peking University draws expertise from both universities, providing students a deep understanding in the business context of both regions.

Since 1998, HKU Business School has offered it Master of Business Administration (International) ( HKU-Fudan IMBA ) programme, which jointly collaborated with  School of Management, Fudan University  in Shanghai. This is the first joint programme by a Hong Kong and a PRC institution approved by the Ministry of Education and was ranked the best programme of its kind by Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council. In the past two decades, the programme has nurtured over 4,500 business leaders. 

HKU-Sciences Po Dual Degree Programme

Leveraging the strengths of two world-class universities, the programme allows students to experience multicultural learning environments and broaden their international exposure for career success in a globalized business environment. Students will spend the first two years at Sciences Po in France and the third and fourth years at HKU. Upon completion of the programme, students will earn two Bachelor's degrees – a Bachelor of Business Administration from HKU and a Bachelor of Arts from Sciences Po.

HKU-Peking University “Future Leaders” Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Finance and Management

Jointly offered with the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University (PKU), this programme is designed to nurture first-class business leaders and cultivate their global perspective with intimate understanding of China. Students will spend the first two years at HKU and another two years at PKU. It leads to the award of a Bachelor of Economics and Finance from HKU and a Bachelor of Arts in Management from PKU.

HKU-Peking University Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance

This programme is pitched at top Mainland Chinese students (i.e. Gaokao zhuangyuans). Students admitted to this programme will spend the first two years at PKU and another two years at HKU. Students will receive a BEcon&Fin degree from HKU and a Bachelor of Economics (BEcon) degree from PKU upon successful completion of the dual degree programme.

International Exchange Partners

HKU Business School has an extensive network with more than over  300  exchange partners in more than  40 countries/regions , in the form of student exchanges and internships. Every year, more than 400 students are sent for overseas exchange, while hundreds of international students come to the School for study, thus creating a dynamic, multicultural learning environment in the campus. 

The School also links to many partner institutions in China. Through different cultural exchanges and experiential learning programmes, students are able to understand the business environment in China.

The School strives to strengthen our presence in and connection with the business community, exploring collaboration opportunities in both public and private sectors. During the past year, the School formed new partnership with CCB, China Life Insurance (Overseas), China Resources, KPMG and New World Development etc. We will continue to actively engaging and expanding our network with new corporate partners in Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world, bringing pioneering developments in strategic frontiers.

PhD student at university in Hong Kong admits splashing semen on woman’s buttocks

• Lai Changwei, 26, pleads guilty to indecent assault, which magistrate calls an ‘extremely insulting’ offence against his victim, 22

A PhD student has admitted splashing a liquid infused with his semen onto a woman’s buttocks at a university in Hong Kong because of academic stress.

Lai Changwei, 26, on Thursday pleaded guilty at West Kowloon Court to indecent assault, an act the presiding magistrate called an “extremely insulting” attack on the 22-year-old victim at City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

The defence said Lai, married and living in neighbouring Shenzhen, was pursuing a PhD in neuroscience at CityU on a full scholarship and was expected to graduate in one to two years’ time.

The counsel said Lai was under enormous pressure when he committed the crime because an experiment he had been undertaking did not go as planned.

CCTV footage from the Kowloon Tong campus showed Lai tailing the woman immediately after spotting her inside a university building at around 3.30pm on June 6, the court heard.

He then squirted a milky liquid onto the victim using a plastic pipette.

The victim did not realise she had been attacked until after a check on her jacket and trousers inside a washroom moments later.

Lai was arrested five days later after a policewoman intercepted him outside Festival Walk, a shopping centre near the university. The suspect admitted the offence on the spot.

“I was careless and spilled water containing semen onto the back of that girl,” he said.

Investigators subsequently seized a test tube containing Lai’s semen at his office.

Magistrate Li Chi-ho said the student’s act was “extremely insulting” to the victim, but agreed to first assess Lai’s psychological state and his suitability for either probation or community service in light of his guilty plea, his clear record and personal circumstances.

Lai’s bail was extended until sentencing in early September.

Indecent assault carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years in Hong Kong, but is capped at two years when it is the only charge faced by the accused at the magistrates’ court.

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List of Participating Ph.D. Students (HARDI 2024)

Yanru (anne) chang.

Yanru is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in accounting at Baruch College, City University of New York. Her research touches on corporate governance and textual analysis. She is also interested in research topics at the intersection between finance and accounting to understand the broad picture of the financial market. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to rock, reading science fiction, and watching anime while picking up some Japanese at the same time.

Jessie Jaewon Cheong

Jessie is a third-year Ph.D. student at the University of Southern California. Her research interests primarily lie in debt contracting, disclosure, and labor economics. Prior to joining the Ph.D. program, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Accounting at Seoul National University. She enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and playing the piano in her free time.

Tianyi Deng

Tianyi is a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Houston. His research interests include financial analysts, firm disclosures, earnings quality, and corporate governance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking.

Yuye is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research interests now focus on corporate policy change, disclosure, and capital market. In her leisure time, Yuye loves travelling, hiking, and reading.

Tuan is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut. His research interests include audit quality, financial reporting quality, corporate disclosure, and ESG. Prior to starting his Ph.D., he worked in public accounting and corporate accounting for ten years. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and their children.

Siqi (Sophia) Fan

Siqi is a fifth-year Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research interests include sustainability accounting, auditing, accounting information systems, and financial accounting. She does not enjoy cooking but she enjoys tasting different foods all over the world.

Cheuk Kwong (Harry) Fok

Harry is a second-year PhD student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is currently interested in exploring the influence of media and technology in the capital markets. In his spare time, he enjoys singing karaoke and watching movies.

Brian Forsberg

Brian Forsberg is a third-year Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research interests lie at the intersection of taxation, financial reporting, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Before joining the Ph.D. program, Brian worked in public accounting in various tax departments. In his spare time, Brian enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and Golden Retriever, watching sports, and attending concerts.

Yingfeng Ge

Yingfeng is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research interests include financial reporting, voluntary disclosure, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and corporate reputation. In her spare time, Yingfeng enjoys traveling, reading, and watching thrillers.

Shera is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the Northwestern University. Her research interests include financial reporting, alternative data, and capital market research. In her free time, she takes pleasure in reading and hiking.

Xiaofan (Nancy) Huang

Xiaofan (Nancy) is a third-year Ph.D. student at University of Missouri – Columbia. Her research interests lie in financial reporting and disclosures, auditing and international accounting. In her free time, she enjoys hiking.

Srijith Kannan

Srijith Kannan is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research interests include ESG, corporate disclosures, and supply chain. In his spare time, he enjoys watching reruns of The Office and learning about the Roman Empire.

Patrick Mitchell Kmieciak

Patrick is 4th year PhD student at the University of Florida. His research interests lie in archival auditing with a focus on human behavior. Prior to beginning his PhD program, he earned the Elijah Watt Sells award on the CPA exam and worked as a senior associate in audit and accounting advisory at PwC. During his free time, Patrick enjoys practicing yoga, playing basketball, and biking.

Yunju Ku is a third-year Ph.D. student at Rutgers University. Her research interests include ESG/CSR, disclosure, and financial reporting quality. Prior to joining the Ph.D. program, Yunju worked as an analyst at Korea Investor Services Pricing (KISP), a Moody’s affiliate, for over three years, making fair value assessments of diverse assets. She is a licensed CPA in Washington. Outside of school, she enjoys exploring the city and working out, including golf, yoga, and Pilates.

Tim Messenger

Tim Messenger is a third-year Accounting Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oregon. His research interest is cross-border international taxation, transfer pricing, treasury management, and accounting for these activities. Tim is a CPA, CMA, and CFM. Before joining UO he helped Bloomberg develop tax and accounting software and consulted on U.S. international tax law for Deloitte in Boston, Washington, D.C., and London. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his DIY skillset.

David Park, CPA, CFE, and PhD Candidate of Seoul National University conducts research on how real effects of disclosures and costly contracting relate to social welfare. He is currently working on how the real effects of conflict minerals disclosures and workplace health and safety incentives reduce conflicts and injuries/illnesses respectively. In his free time, he enjoys being in a calm, peaceful, tranquil, contented, and untroubled state.

Di (Albert) Wang

Di (Albert) Wang is a third-year Ph.D. student at the McCombs School of Business, UT Austin. Previously, he worked as a machine learning engineer at JD.COM in Beijing, China. Albert’s research interests revolve around regulations and their impact on corporate disclosure, financing, and innovation decisions. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and playing basketball.

Xinyi is a fourth-year Ph.D. student at Simon Business School, University of Rochester. Her research interests include disclosure, information intermediaries, real effects, and international studies. She enjoys reading and traveling in her free time.

Yike Wang is a third-year Ph.D. candidate at HEC Paris. Her research interests include financial accounting, social media, retail investors, short sellers, and M&A. In her free time, she enjoys painting, diving, traveling, and hiking with her dog.

Bohyun Yang

Bohyun is a third-year Ph.D. student at the University of California, Berkeley. Her primary research interests include capital market consequences, debt contracting, and ESG. In her free time, Bohyun enjoys practicing Muay Thai, appreciating artwork, and discovering young talented local artists.

Yue is a 3rd-year Ph.D. candidate at Singapore Management University (SMU). As a dual-degree Ph.D. student at both SMU and Renmin University of China (RUC), he received the Doctorate in Management (major in Accounting) at RUC in 2023. His research interests lie in information disclosure, ChatGPT and its application in accounting research, financial journalist, and China studies. He enjoys basketball, badminton, fitness and eating in his spare time.

Yanping Zhu

Yanping is a first-year Ph.D. student at New York University. His research interests include disclosure, real effects, and bank accounting. In his spare time, he enjoys jogging, traveling, hiking, and music.

• Student Loans

Best Graduate Student Loans

Best graduate student loans of august 2024.

Updated: Aug 7, 2024, 2:59pm

As a graduate student, you have the option to take out federal direct unsubsidized loans, graduate PLUS loans or private student loans. Federal direct unsubsidized loans generally have both the lowest interest rates and the most flexible repayment options. But you can only borrow up to $20,500 per year in direct unsubsidized loans, and some students need to borrow more than that. Below we have identified the best federal and private loan options for graduate students based on features like fees, repayment options and ease of the application process. Several lenders offer specialized loan programs for those pursuing a master of business administration (MBA), law or medical degree; for this list, we compared only generalized graduate degree loans for master’s or Ph.D. students in other fields. Annual percentage rates (APRs) and account details are accurate as of August 7, 2024. Related: Compare Personalized Student Loan Rates

• Best Private Student Loans
• Best Student Loan Refinance Lenders
• Best Low-Interest Student Loans
• Best Parent Student Loans
• Best Student Loans Without Co-Signer

Tips for Comparing Graduate Student Loans

Summary: best graduate student loans, methodology, what is a graduate student loan, how do student loans work for graduate school, types of graduate school loans, how to apply for student loans for graduate school, alternatives to graduate student loans, next up in student loans.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor: Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the loans methodology for the ratings below.

• 14 enders researched
• 12 data points evaluated
• 6 cateogires scored

Ascent Graduate Student Loan

Variable APR

7.84% to 16.20%*

4.79% to 15.21%*

7 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years or 20 years (medical and dental loans only)

Loan terms : 7 years, 10 years, 12 years, 15 years or 20 years (medical and dental loans only)

Loan amounts available : $2,001** up to total cost of attendance, to a maximum of $400,000 (aggregate)

Eligibility : Student borrowers with no credit history can qualify with a creditworthy co-signer. Co-signers must show income of at least $24,000 for the current and previous year. Co-signers must have a minimum credit score which can vary.*

Forbearance o ptions : When experiencing financial hardship, borrowers can suspend payments for up to three months at a time, for a total of up to 24 months throughout the loan term. Only four rounds of forbearance (up to 12 months’ worth) may be taken consecutively.

Co-signer release policy : Available after 12 months of consecutive automatic debit payments, if the primary borrower meets certain credit score requirements.

*Disclosures

*Other eligibility requirements apply. Learn more at AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. 

**The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

***Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent’s Terms and Conditions please visit: AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs . Rates displayed above are effective as of 8/12/2024 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% for credit-based college student loans and 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. The Full P&I (Immediate) Repayment option is only available for college loans (except for outcomes-based loans) originated on or after June 3, 2024. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school, and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits .

5.74% to 14.48% *

with autopay and rate sale discount

4.74% to 14.48% *

SoFi is perhaps best known as a student loan refinance lender, but it also makes loans to undergraduates, graduate students, law and business students and parents. Its undergraduate student loan product offers mostly industry-standard features, plus a few perks: no late fees, an interest rate discount of 0.125% if your co-signer already uses another SoFi product.

• Access to SoFi member benefits
• No late fees
• Interest rate estimate available without undergoing a hard credit check
• Maximum APR above 12%

Loan terms :  5, 7, 10 and 15 years.

Loan amounts available : $5,000 up to total cost of attendance (no aggregate limit listed).

Eligibility : Does not disclose credit score or income requirements.

Forbearance options: Qualified borrowers can take up to 12 months total forbearance.

Co-signer release policy : Available after 24 payments.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Among graduate student loan options, federal direct unsubsidized loans are the best overall deal: Their fixed interest rate is one of the lowest you’ll find, and this type of loan isn’t credit-based and doesn’t require a co-signer. All eligible graduate borrowers qualify, and they receive the same rate regardless of credit history.

While there’s a chance the most creditworthy borrowers could get a lower interest rate with a private student loan, they’ll miss out on a range of consumer protections that might be useful in the future. Borrowers of federal direct unsubsidized loans have access to  income-driven repayment  options that can lower the amount due and  loan forgiveness  for those who work in public service fields.

Direct unsubsidized loans come with an origination fee of 1.057%, while most private graduate loans do not. But in many cases, the low interest rate and loan benefits make the fee worth it.

• Low fixed interest rate
• Multiple repayment and forgiveness options available
• No co-signer required in order to get lowest rate
• Charges an origination fee

Loan terms: Terms of 10 to 25 years are available, depending on the repayment plan.

Loan amounts: Loan amounts up to $20,500 per year and $138,500 in aggregate are available , including loans used for undergraduate study.

Eligibility: You must be enrolled at least half-time in a school that participates in the federal direct loan program.

Forbearance options:  Forbearance available for up to three years in certain circumstances. Enrolling in an income-driven repayment program can lower monthly payments and result in loan forgiveness after 20 to 25 years.

Co-signer release policy:  N/A

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

(graduate school only)

The federal graduate PLUS loan also offers wide-ranging benefits to borrowers, but fewer than direct unsubsidized loans offer. Since borrowing limits are higher for PLUS loans than direct unsubsidized loans, they’re an option to cover any funding gaps after you’ve maxed out direct unsubsidized loans for graduate study.

The graduate PLUS interest rate is slightly higher than the unsubsidized loan rate; the origination fee—4.228%, which comes out of the loan amount that’s disbursed to you—is much higher. PLUS loans are also the only federal loan type that require a credit check, but it’s possible to get a PLUS loan even if you’re determined to have an adverse credit history (more on that below).

• High maximum loan amount

Loan terms: 10 to 25 years, depending on the repayment plan

Loan amounts available:  Up to total  cost of attendance , minus other financial aid received

Eligibility:  Must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school. Must not have an adverse credit history.

Co-signer release policy:  None

7.74% to 16.10%*

5.04% to 15.41%*

Ascent offers both co-signed and non-co-signed student loans, which gives borrowers without co-signers more college funding options.

Ascent stands out for its range of payment reduction and postponement options, rare among private lenders. Borrowers can choose a graduated repayment plan, which provides a lower monthly payment to start that increases over time. That can be useful for graduates just starting out, who will likely make more money as they move up in their careers.

Borrowers also can pause payments if they’re experiencing a temporary financial hardship for one to three months at a time, up to a maximum of 24 months total. (Taking this forbearance means you will repay the loan over a longer period, though.) Interest continues to accrue during forbearance, which is true for the vast majority of private student loans.

Ascent also offers a graduation reward of 1% cash back on the loan’s original principal balance. Check the conditions you must satisfy to qualify.

• Both co-signed and independent loans available
• International and DACA students can qualify with a co-signer who has
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Maximum fixed APR is above 12%

Citizens Bank

5.99% to 16.60%

3.99% to 15.60%

Citizens Bank provides an additional 0.25% loyalty discount if a student loan borrower or their co-signer has an existing account with the bank. (Checking and savings accounts are only available in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.)

It also makes its loans available to international students. But co-signers must wait a longer period of time to be released from the loan than what many other lenders provide.

• International students can qualify with a co-signer who has U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Up to 0.50% interest rate discount available for existing Citizens Bank customers
• Co-signer release after 36 months, about 12 months later than many other lenders’ policies

Loan terms: 5, 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available: $1,000 to $350,000 (depending on degree)

Eligibility: Does not disclose credit score or income requirements.

Forbearance options: Up to 12 months of forbearance available.

Co-signer release policy: Co-signers can be released from the loan after 36 payments.

College Ave

5.59% to 17.99%

with auto-pay discount*

3.87% to 17.99%

College Ave offers a solid all-around private loan product with a few unique features. Borrowers can choose an eight-year term, which is in addition to the typical five-, 10- and 15-year terms many lenders provide. Borrowers can also access an extended six-month grace period beyond the initial payment-free six months allowed after separating from school.

• Long time period (210 days) before unpaid loans go into default
• Relatively high APR

Loan terms: 5, 8, 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance

Eligibility: Applicants must have a minimum credit score in the mid-600s.

Forbearance options: Up to 12 months of forbearance is available, in three- to six-month increments

Co-signer release policy: Available after 24 payments

* Borrowers with a co-signer who choose the shortest repayment term available and who make full monthly payments while in school qualify for the lowest rates.

1 – College Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust Bank, member FDIC or Nationwide Bank, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

2 – All rates shown include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation.

3 – Cover up to 100% of your cost of attendance as certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.

5.65% to 15.49%

4.15% to 13.99%

PNC Bank offers an extra-generous 0.50% interest rate discount for making automatic payments, and it provides a 12-month loan modification program for borrowers in financial distress (in addition to 12 months of forbearance). Loan modification lowers the interest rate and monthly payment charged.

It also offers co-signer release, though after an even longer period than Citizens Bank’s policy: 48 months.

Loan amounts available: Up to $65,000 to $105,000 with an overall maximum limit of $105,000

Co-signer release policy: Co-signers can be released from the loan after 48 payments.

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority

4.05% to 8.64%

Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, known as RISLA, is a nonprofit based in Rhode Island that lends to students across the country. It offers two different loan types for undergraduate students, which each come with their own fixed interest rates. One loan requires immediate repayment, and one lets you defer payments until six months after you leave school. Everyone who qualifies for each of the loan types gets the same rate, which makes it easy to compare RISLA loans with others you’ve qualified for.

For borrowers who struggle to afford their loan after graduating, RISLA is one of the only private lenders to offer an income-based repayment plan, which limits payments to 15% of income for a 25-year period.

RISLA was a winner of Forbes Advisor’s best private student loans of 2020 awards. Learn more here .

• Borrowers may qualify for multi-year financing after applying once
• No late payment or returned payment fees
• Reduced payments and forbearance available for hardship
• Requires a minimum income of $40,000 per year
• Students are limited to borrowing $1,500 to $50,000 per year, with a $180,000 aggregate limit per borrower

Loan terms 10 and 15 years

Loan amounts available $1,500 to $50,000 per year, with a $180,000 aggregate limit per borrower.

Eligibility Applicants or co-signers must show a minimum income of $40,000 per year and a minimum credit score of 680.

Forbearance options Forbearance available for up to 24 months.

Co-signer release policy Co-signer release is available after 24 consecutive months of on-time payments. Periods during which borrowers use income-based repayment do not qualify.

Prodigy Finance

Minimum Variable APR

Many international students don’t qualify for federal student loans, and they typically need a U.S. citizen co-signer in order to get approved for a private student loan. Prodigy Finance is a London-based company that offers private student loans to international master’s students without requiring a co-signer.

You must attend an eligible school in one of the 18 countries Prodigy Finance lends in. All interest rates are variable, meaning they can change with market conditions, and borrowers receive rate offers based on their course of study and future earning potential. The average rate, according to Prodigy Finance, is 7.3%. The loan comes with a 4% administration fee.

Prodigy Finance doesn’t lend to U.S.-based borrowers living in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.

• No co-signer required
• Available to international students
• Multiple hardship repayment options available
• Only variable interest rates available
• High minimum APR

Loan terms: 7 to 20 years

Loan amounts available: $15,000 minimum; maximum amount based on individual application.

Eligibility: Must be a resident of an eligible state and country attending an eligible school either part-time or full-time

Forbearance options: Available for nine months. Borrowers with financial hardships may apply for an interest-free payment arrangement; those facing low incomes, medical emergencies, unexpected family responsibilities or unemployment can apply for $0 or reduced payments.

Co-signer release policy: N/A

5.37% to 14.97%

3.99% to 14.48%

Sallie Mae graduate loans offer loans from $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance. You’ll pay no origination fee or penalty for paying off your loan before its due date. What’s more, you’ll receive a 0.25% rate discount when you enroll in autopay.

Borrowers can qualify for a Sallie Mae graduate loan even if they’re attending school less than half-time, which not all lenders allow. After graduation, borrowers also have access to a few hardship repayment programs beyond forbearance, including a rate reduction or one year of interest-only payments.

Sallie Mae’s graduate loan offers a comparatively short time period—12 months—after which primary borrowers can apply to release their co-signers.

• No origination fee
• Co-signer release available after 12 monthly payments
• Students must apply for a new loan each school year
• No rate estimate available with soft credit check

Loan terms: Terms up to 15 years are available.

Loan amounts: Loan amounts of $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance are available.

Eligibility: Borrowers are eligible if they’re attending full-time, half-time or less than half-time.

Forbearance options: Sallie Mae offers a six-month grace period and 48 months of deferment.

Co-signer release policy: Co-signer releases are available after 12 on-time monthly payments.

5.89% to 15.97%

(includes .25% auto pay discount)¹

3.89% to 14.30%

Earnest offers a fee-free private loan option—no origination fees and no late fees—and borrowers have the ability to skip² one monthly bill every year, in addition to applying for standard forbearance when necessary. Borrowers have multiple repayment terms to choose from, and graduate students receive a nine-month grace period³ before they must make payments after graduation, which is longer than the typical six-month grace period.

Earnest doesn’t have a co-signer release program. That means borrowers who use a co-signer must keep that person on the loan unless they  refinance it into their own name.

• 9-month grace period for graduate students
• Option to skip one payment per year
• No co-signer release program

Loan terms: 5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 years ⁴

Loan amounts available: $1,000 up to total cost of attendance (no aggregate loan amount listed).

Eligibility ⁵ :  Students must be attending school at least half-time. International students can apply with a U.S. citizen co-signer.

Forbearance options:  Available for up to 12 months throughout the loan term

Disclosures

¹You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. For multi-party loans, only one party may enroll in Auto Pay. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred.

²Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count toward the forbearance limits. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.

³Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.

⁴Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: These examples provide estimates based on principal and Interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $118.28) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $21,290.40. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $126.82) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $22,827.79.

These examples provide estimates based on interest only payments while in school. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $145.41) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $26,173.03. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $156.59) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $28,186.67. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $169.92) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $30,584.74. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $188.42) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $33,915.55. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $174.79) and a 11.69% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $31,462.16. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $193.75) and a 13.03% APR would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,874.28. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available.

⁵Loan Eligibility criteria: Eligible students must: 1) For college Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, attend, or be enrolled to attend, a Title IV school full-time. For college Seniors and Graduate students, attend, or be enrolled to attend, a Title IV school at least half-time; and 2) be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Graduate degree. Earnest private student loans are subject to credit qualification, completion of a loan application, verification of application information, self-certification of loan amount, and school certification.

Responsible borrowing tip: Explore all scholarship, grant and federal options before applying for a private loan.

Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107

Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 535 Mission St., Suite 1663 San Francisco, CA 94105, NMLS #1204917, with support From Navient Solutions, LLC (NMLS #212430). One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.

© 2024 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

Federal direct unsubsidized student loans are a strong option for graduate students because they don’t require a credit check or a co-signer.

If you need more money for school than what unsubsidized loans provide, you might turn to graduate PLUS loans, which require a credit check. But there are specific negative marks the government is looking for. You’ll be considered to have “adverse credit history” if you have one or more of the following on your credit report:

• Debts totaling more than $2,085 that are at least 90 or more days past due or that were in collections or charged off in the past two years
• Default determination within the past five years
• Bankruptcy within the past five years
• Foreclosure within the past five years
• Repossession within the past five years
• Tax lien within the past five years
• Wage garnishment within the past five years
• Charge-off of a federal student aid debt within the past five years

But if you learn you have an adverse credit history after you apply, you can explain the circumstances that led to it and the government could determine that you’re eligible for a PLUS loan after receiving loan counseling. Another option is to get an endorser, similar to a co-signer, that can help you qualify.

Some borrowers might qualify for a lower rate on a private graduate student loan than on a PLUS loan. But when comparing interest rates among private lenders, know that only the borrowers with the highest credit scores, least outstanding debt and strongest incomes will get the lowest rates. For graduate students, that often means using a co-signer. All private student loan rates listed on this page also include a standard 0.25% interest rate discount for using automatic payments.

It’s best to identify the interest rate and terms you’d receive on a private loan, then compare the overall cost and features with those of a PLUS loan. A  student loan calculator  can help you determine how much you’ll pay over time.

We collected data from 14 student loan entities that offer graduate student loans in at least 25 U.S. states and scored them across 12 data points in the categories of interest rates, fees, loan terms, hardship options, application process and eligibility. We chose the best to display based on those earning three stars or higher.

The following is the weighting assigned to each category:

• Hardship options: 20%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Eligibility: 10%
• Application process: 20%

Specific characteristics taken into consideration within each category included number of months of forbearance available, hardship repayment options beyond traditional forbearance, origination fees, availability of a post-school grace period and other factors.

Lenders who offered maximum interest rates below 12% scored the highest, as did those who offered more than the standard 12 months of forbearance, who offered interest rate discounts beyond the standard 0.25% for automatic payments, who charged no origination fees and who offered a co-signer release option.

In some cases, lenders were awarded partial points, and a maximum of 3% of the final score was left to editorial discretion based on the quality of consumer-friendly features offered.

To learn more about how Forbes Advisor rates lenders, and our editorial process, check out our  Loans Rating & Review Methodology .

Related:   Compare Personalized Student Loan Rates

Graduate student loans—whether federal or private—are designed for graduate students pursuing their master’s, doctorate or other advanced degrees.

Federal graduate student loans include Direct unsubsidized and grad PLUS loans. Direct unsubsidized loans have a maximum borrowing limit of $20,500 per year. Grad PLUS loans, on the other hand, let you borrow up to your school’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you’ve already received.

You can also find graduate student loans from private lenders, such as banks, credit unions and online lenders. Many let you borrow up to your school’s cost of attendance, though some set lower limits. Some lenders design loans specifically for MBA, law and medical school students.

While federal graduate student loans have fixed interest rates that are the same for all borrowers, private student loans offer a range of rates that may be fixed or variable. Borrowers with the best credit typically qualify for the lowest rates.

Whether you borrow a federal or private graduate student loan, you can use your loan on tuition, fees and other education-related expenses.

Featured Partner Offers

Via College Ave's Website

5.37% to 15.70%

3.99% to 15.49%

Via Sallie Mae's Website

Graduate student loans work similarly to undergraduate loans. Both federal and  private student loans  are available for graduate students. Federal loans are generally easier to qualify for, have more flexible repayment options and can come with lower interest rates than private debt. They also come with major benefits and protections, such loan forgiveness programs as well as the pause on payments and interest accrual that’s been in effect since March 2020 due to Covid-19.

Keep in mind that graduate student loans typically come with higher loan limits compared to undergraduate debt—meaning you can borrow a larger amount each year, up to your school’s cost of attendance or up to a lifetime limit. This is because options like business or law school are generally more expensive than a bachelor’s degree.

Along with higher borrowing limits, graduate student loans usually come with higher interest rates, too. For example, undergrads can borrow federal unsubsidized loans with a 3.73% rate in the 2021-22 school year while graduate students will pay 5.28% for the same loan.

Graduate Student Loan Limits

The maximum amount you can borrow for graduate school varies by loan type. Direct unsubsidized loans have an annual limit of $20,500 and an aggregate limit of $138,500 (no more than $65,500 of this can be in subsidized loans). Grad PLUS loans allow you to borrow up to the total cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you’ve received, as certified by your school.

Private student loan borrowing limits vary by lender. However, many allow you to borrow up to your school’s total cost of attendance.

There are three types of graduate student loans. Borrowers can choose between two federal options— direct unsubsidized loans  or  grad PLUS loans —or opt to borrow from a private lender. Keep in mind that while the interest rates and loan terms for federal loans are standardized for all borrowers, the terms you’re offered on a private loan can vary widely depending on your credit and other factors.

Here’s a look at how these student loans compare:

The process to apply for a graduate student loan will depend on whether you want to get a federal or private student loan.

Federal student loans

If you want to take out a federal student loan, you’ll need to fill out the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . This form determines your eligibility for all types of federal aid, including student loans and grants. While most undergraduate students must submit both their and their parents’ financial information, graduate students are only required to provide their own information. You’ll have to complete a new FAFSA for each year you plan to attend school.

After the FAFSA is processed, you’ll receive a financial aid award letter from your school detailing what federal student loans and other aid you qualify for. You can then choose which loans to accept and how much you need to borrow. Before the start of the semester, the money will be sent directly to your school. After tuition and fees are taken care of, any remaining amount will be refunded to you to use for other school expenses.

Private student loans

If you’d like to  get a private student loan , be sure to take the time to shop around and consider as many lenders as possible. Since each lender has its own individual rates and terms, comparing them can help you find the right loan for your needs. Many lenders allow you to prequalify for a loan, which will let you see the estimated interest rates you qualify for.

Also review each lender’s policies, including applicable fees, when repayment starts, how long you’ll have to pay off your loans and how the lender can help if you ever have trouble making payments.

When you’re ready to apply, you can typically submit an application directly on the lender’s website. Approval usually only takes a few days, and if you agree with the final terms and conditions, you can sign off on the closing paperwork. Most  private lenders  will send the funds directly to your school, which will apply the funds to your tuition and fees. Any remaining amount will be released to you.

While student loans can help you cover a gap in funding, you may want to keep borrowing to a minimum. Consider these alternatives to graduate student loans to help you pay for school:

• Grants.  You may qualify for federal, state or school grants, which require no repayment, based on your financial need or course of study. Federal grants for graduate students include TEACH grants and Fulbright grants.
• Scholarships.  It’s also worth applying for scholarships, which may be awarded based on financial need, academic merit, athletics or other achievements.
• Work-study.  Students with financial need can qualify for the work-study program, where they can find part-time jobs on or off campus.
• Part-time job.  If you don’t qualify for work-study, you might still seek out part-time work to make some money for school.
• Savings.  Drawing on your personal savings can also help you reduce the amount you need to borrow in student loans.
• Income-share agreements.  Another alternative to graduate student loans is an income-share agreement, through which you get help to pay for school in exchange for a portion of your future earnings for a set period of time.

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Can graduate students get subsidized loans.

Federal subsidized loans are only available for undergraduate students with financial need. Graduate students are not eligible for direct subsidized loans.

Can you use graduate student loans for living expenses?

You can use student loans to pay for living expenses, whether it’s rent, utilities, transportation costs or food. If you live on campus, those costs are included in your full cost of attendance and get paid directly to your school. Any leftover money from your loans will be refunded to you, which can then be applied to remaining living expenses.

How much graduate student loans can I borrow?

It’s always best to borrow as little as possible in student loans, which means maxing out scholarships and grants first. Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the  FAFSA , each year you’re in graduate school to get all the financial aid you qualify for.

When deciding how much to borrow, graduate students have the potential added complication of still having outstanding loans from undergrad. Ideally, your total debt after leaving graduate school should be no more than you plan to earn your first year in the workforce with your degree. Undergraduate loans should be included in that total.

So if you are getting a master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology and expect to earn a starting salary of about $70,000 (according to a salary resource like PayScale), you shouldn’t have more than $70,000 in total student loans after graduating.

Does student loan forgiveness include graduate school?

Some types of graduate student loans are eligible for forgiveness. While unsubsidized federal loans are the only type of graduate loan eligible for  Teacher Loan Forgiveness , both unsubsidized loans and grad PLUS loans are eligible for  Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) .

Unsubsidized federal loans and grad PLUS loans may also be eligible for  income-driven repayment (IDR) plans , which promise forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments. Not all types of loans are eligible for every IDR plan, so review the requirements carefully.

Both private and federal grad school loans may also be eligible for  state-based repayment programs , which often offer student loan repayment if you work in a qualifying career in high-need areas. Some states or cities even offer loan repayment if you relocate to a qualifying area.

How is the interest rate on a private graduate student loan determined?

Private student loans usually offer variable and fixed interest rates that are based on the borrower’s creditworthiness. Variable rates rise and fall according to the index they follow. For example, the lender may use the prime rate as its benchmark.

If you have good or excellent credit, then you’ll be  eligible for a lower interest rate . But if you have poor or fair credit, prepare for an interest rate on the higher end of the range. Using a creditworthy co-signer can help you get a lower rate.

What is ‘co-signer release’?

Some private lenders offer to release the co-signer from a loan after the borrower makes a certain number of payments. That can protect the co-signer from a credit hit as a result of the primary borrower’s negative payment history. If you plan to use co-signer release, check your loan documents to see when it will be possible (in 36 months, for instance) and what additional requirements you might need to meet.

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Alexander Earle graduated with a JD from ASU Law and was named an ASU Outstanding Graduate. A Phoenix native, he sought to serve and represent its vibrant, diverse community. 

“I wanted to serve the broader Phoenix community and also one that represents where I am from as well. There are classes at ASU Law that honed in on oral advocacy specifically, where they had us practice giving presentations and speaking to Judges. My confidence slowly but surely built up to the point where I am now able to speak clearly and freely with clients, and I feel I can be way more effective now than ever before. 

Earle now works as a Criminal Defense Attorney for the Maricopa County Public Defender Office .

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Graduate students tackle healthcare policy reform during new fellowship at Johns Hopkins

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August 5, 2024 : By Ryan Klinker - Office of Communications & Public Engagement

Three students from Liberty University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program have spent nearly a year in an exciting new fellowship thanks to a partnership between the School of Health Sciences (SHS) and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

The research fellowship at Hopkins, a collaboration between Dr. Heidi DiFrancesca, dean of Liberty’s School of Health Sciences , and Dr. Marty Makary, Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins, is designed for MPH students to conduct research on healthcare policy at the JHU School of Medicine and attend related events. The fellowship is one year long, beginning each August, and is under the direction of Makary and his research team, which includes Christi Walsh, M.S.N.-C.R.N.P., director of the Healthcare Graduate Research Program at Johns Hopkins. Makary, a pancreatic surgeon, is an outspoken proponent for healthcare reform and has given multiple Grand Rounds lectures on the topic at Liberty.

One of three students selected to particiate in the competitive fellowship, Andrea Mackenzie, saw the fellowship as a chance to fulfill her dreams of impacting the modern healthcare system in America.

“This couldn’t have been a more perfect opportunity,” said Mackenzie, who has been accepted to start her Ph.D. in Public Policy at Liberty. “It was through my (MPH) studies that I realized that one of the greatest effects we could have on the health of the nation would be in education and primary prevention, which seeks to avoids problems in the first place before they happen. It became clear to me that the policies, programs, and choices of our culture have a direct impact on health outcomes, and following a problem upstream to the source often leads to public policy opportunities.”

She joined fellow MPH students Faith Magwenzi and Asonganyi Aminkeng in the fellowship, working mainly in a remote setting, in addition to meeting together one or two times per month virtually and once a month in Washington, D.C.

“After hearing about the fellowship, I was immediately drawn to it due to the valuable skill sets that fellows would gain upon completion,” Aminkeng said. “I wanted to apply because I saw this as an excellent opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills in public health, and it aligned perfectly with my career goals.

A core phase of the fellowship for each student was coming up with three scientific ideas presumed to be true, looking into the history of these “facts,” and determining their validity based on the researched evidence. The purpose of the exercise was to show how the practices and standards of medicine change over time, sometimes far later than they ought to, and that healthcare can and should make changes as new findings are discovered.

“We were challenged to think and question everything and research and really ask, ‘What do we know and what do we not know? What do we think we know that we get wrong?’” Mackenzie explained. “We looked back historically to see how these beliefs or conclusions came to be. We got to do a different type of research where it wasn’t just gathering publications from recent years; we were going back decades and, in some cases, centuries.”

One example that Mackenzie looked into was the history of ovarian cancer treatments that have existed since the 18th century. She read through old journals and accounts of surgeries that talked about how ovarian cancer was believed to originate in the ovaries, leading doctors to perform surgeries that remove ovaries, when recent findings point to fallopian tubes as the place where the cancer starts.

Magwenzi said this survey of scientific findings and beliefs over the centuries was a highlight for her as well.

“I have enjoyed the internship, particularly diving into literature and learning new things,” she said. “The fact that the internship challenged deeply held assumptions about health was eye-opening.”

Additionally, the students participated in three research projects, working collaboratively as each student took the lead on one of the projects. Aminkeng oversaw research on the prescribing of antibiotics in telemedicine and instances of improper dosage. Magwenzi led a project on the association between prescription rates and costs of weight-loss medications and obesity trends among Medicaid users in the United States. Mackenzie led a study on national physician cesarean section rates in low-risk deliveries.

All three projects were presented at Liberty’s annual Research Week in April. Mackenzie’s C-section research won first place in the Graduate Applied Research Poster Presentation category. Her presentation was also selected by the National Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society to be presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA) national conference in October.

During the fellowship, the students traveled to conferences where they met with professionals who are impacting healthcare policy from different angles. On Capitol Hill, the students attended a conference hosted by the Paragon Health Institute, which provides healthcare research as well as market-based policy proposals for improved outcomes in the public and private sectors. They also met with members of Congress, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, and sat in on hearings regarding healthcare reform. In Oklahoma City, the group attended the Free Market Medical Association’s 10th annual conference, where they met innovators who are finding alternative and efficient routes to provide patient care.

The fellowship also included lessons in searching for and writing grants, and students were able to shadow Makary in the operating room at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

“I have particularly enjoyed learning about grant writing, which is an essential skill for an aspiring public health expert like me,” Aminkeng said. “Additionally, I have developed a deeper understanding of health policy issues and health insurance challenges in the U.S. Understanding the intricate relationship between public health and the health systems in America has reinforced my commitment to making meaningful contributions to improve health outcomes both nationally and globally.”

Mackenzie said the experience of the fellowship was a “springboard” for her career: “This experience brought theory and hypothetical learning into practical reality. We met and made professional connections that are invaluable to my breadth of understanding and a future vision of hope for our healthcare system.”

“The internship awarded me a network of talented individuals and groups that I would otherwise not have access to who can be potential employers and partners in the future,” Magwenzi added. “I gained tons of research experience and as someone who wants to focus on research, the experience has been invaluable.”

DiFrancesca is excited for all the ways the students have benefitted from the experience and how they can now share it with their classmates and the department.

“Through this research fellowship collaboration, we are making an investment in the next generation of public health leaders, underscoring the (School of Health Sciences’) commitment to ensuring our students are well-prepared to tackle the multifacteted challenges of the public health landscape. This enriching experience fosters students growth as burgeoning public health professionals and researchers, equipping them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and exposure to thrive as public health professionals capable of addressing complex health issues and contributing to evidence-based solutions.”

She also spoke about the benefits that this program brings with respect to both their academic journey and on their career trajectory.

“The comprehensive and immersive research fellowship provides a holistic learning experience through a combination of hands-on research, exposure to real-world policy and practice, interdisciplinary learning, and personal and professional development opportunities. This positions them well for successful careers in the dynamic field of public health.”

The first year of the original three-year partnership agreement is about to conclude — an agreement that includes a rigorous, competitive application process that begins with the department chair and other faculty identifying potential candidates and ends with candidates interviewing with Johns Hopkins staff.

“I am delighted to see the profoundly positive and dynamic outcome of our first year and look forward to more students having the opportunity to participate in this collaborative research fellowship in upcoming years.” DiFrancesca said.

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