Start Law School Early This Summer To Secure Existing Federal Financial Aid Options
Enroll in Stetson Law’s Summer 2026 JD Cohort
Commit by May 7, 2026
We’re launching a Summer Cohort for admitted full-time students starting in late May. It’s designed to let students enroll early and lock in access to the current federal borrowing rules before new changes take effect on July 1, 2026.
Students who begin in the Summer will:
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Start before new federal loan rules take effect on July 1, 2026
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Take 4-5 credits over the Summer before the Fall semester begins
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Pay the same tuition as students who start in Fall 2026
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Graduate in May 2029 with the rest of the incoming class
With major federal financial aid changes starting in July, this early start ensures you begin law school with today’s financial aid advantages still in place.
How to Commit to Enroll
Commitment to enroll for the Summer Cohort is now open and will close May 7, 2026.
No separate application is required. Submitting the form officially changes your status from a Fall '26 to a Summer '26 start.
Once you submit your commitment, the Office of Admissions will send a confirmation email acknowledging your status change.
Don’t wait. Interest in the summer cohort is strong.
📅 Deadline: May 7, 2026
🎓 Orientation: May 26 - 28, 2026
📖 Classes Begin: June 1, 2026
Ready to Join our Summer Cohort?
Who Should Consider a Summer Start
Enrolling in the Summer Cohort lets you preserve your access to federal Grad PLUS loans for the duration of your time at Stetson. Doing so could be helpful for students who:
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Plan to fully finance their legal education through federal loans
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Have limited credit history or lower credit scores
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Intend to pursue careers in public interest law and thus qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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Wish to maximize existing federal loan benefits
What’s Changing after July 1, 2026
Starting with the Fall 2026 cohort, new federal borrowing rules will:
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Eliminate the Graduate PLUS Loan, which currently allows borrowing up to the full cost of attendance
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Cap Stafford loan borrowing at $50,000 per year (maximum $200,000 lifetime)
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Reduce income-driven repayment options and potentially increase monthly payments
Curious about how the federal changed to financial aid will affect law students in 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
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As you’ve probably heard, after July 1, 2026 federal Grad PLUS loans will no longer be available. That means students who need financial aid will have to finance their legal education with a mixture of Stafford loans and private lending. Students who enroll in the Summer Cohort will preserve their access to Grad PLUS loans before the new changes take effect on July 1, 2026.
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No. Students who enroll in the Summer Cohort will be grandfathered into the existing financial aid borrowing rules for their first, second, and third years of study.
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New Student Orientation for the Summer Cohort lasts from May 26 - 28th and classes will begin on June 1st. Orientation is required.
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Summer Cohort students will enroll in 4-5 credits over the summer.
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No. Summer enrollment will not be required after your first initial summer session. You will be able to apply for internships and summer jobs over the next few years the same way any other student would.
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Summer Cohort students will graduate in May 2029 with the rest of the incoming Fall 2026 cohort.
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Yes. The tuition for Summer Cohort students will be the same as for those entering in the Fall.
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Summer courses will be in-person only.
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No, there’s no separate application, but interested students will need to decide whether they wish to start in the Summer Cohort by May 7th.
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Yes. Students awarded partial-tuition scholarships will receive a pro‑rated scholarship amount for Summer 2026. Beginning after Summer 2026, a partial tuition scholarship will be applied to fall and spring terms only. Full-tuition scholarships are applied to all terms.
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Students who enroll in the summer 2026 cohort will take a traditional course load in fall 2026.