University of Hawaii at Manoa
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $51,592 |
| Tuition & Fees | $26,280 |
| Living Expenses | $25,312 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $1,592 |
Cover Your $1,592/yr Gap
University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD) students typically need $4,776 in private loans over 3 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.
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What This Means for You
Small gap — likely manageable
Your $1,592/year gap is below $5,000, which many students can cover through part-time work, savings, or a small private loan.
- A graduate assistantship or part-time work may cover the full gap
- Apply for department scholarships and external fellowships
- If borrowing privately, a small loan at competitive rates can bridge the difference
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Hawaii at Manoa 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 University of Hawaii at Manoa?
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 University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD) is $51,592 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $154,776.
What is the funding gap for University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD)?
The annual funding gap is $1,592, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($51,592) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $4,776. This is below the national median of $22,599 for Law (JD) programs.
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa Law (JD) classified as graduate or professional?
University of Hawaii at Manoa 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 →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
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Read more →Debt-to-Income Planning for Professional Degrees
How to evaluate whether your expected salary justifies the total debt load.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Hawaii at Manoa’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: 141574.
- 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.