Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $22,830 |
| Tuition & Fees | $10,844 |
| Living Expenses | $11,986 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $0 |
What This Means for You
No funding gap — you're fully covered
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) costs less than the federal loan cap. You can cover the full cost of attendance with federal Direct Loans alone.
- You still need to file FAFSA each year
- Consider whether you need to borrow the full amount — interest still accrues
- Compare this program's costs with similar programs to confirm value
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) students can borrow up to $50,000 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the professional annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $200,000 for professional students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($50,000/year for professional programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) is $22,830 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $68,490.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) classified as graduate or professional?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Law (JD) (JD) is classified as professional under 34 CFR § 668.2, the federal definition of professional programs frozen as of the OBBBA enactment date. This means the annual federal loan cap is $50,000/year, with an aggregate limit of $200,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Subtitle B, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(ii).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 149222.
- Program classification: JD is classified as professional per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $50,000.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.