How To Get Student Loans for Paralegal School in 2025

The paralegal field can be a rewarding one, offering many career paths and solid median earnings of about $61,000 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But depending on where you seek employment, you may need a degree or certification to become a paralegal, and that comes at a cost.

Fortunately, student loans can help lighten the financial load, as long as you qualify for them. Here's what you need to know about student loans for paralegal school.

Current private student loan rates

What education is required to become a paralegal?

The cost of becoming a paralegal can vary significantly. Some employers will require a college degree, while others will accept certain certifications or other forms of education.

“The type of education required to be a paralegal can actually vary depending on the employer,” says Ben Michael, founder and attorney at Michael & Associates.

“While there is no universal requirement for paralegal education, most law firms — including ours — look for candidates with at least an associate degree in paralegal studies or a paralegal certificate from an American Bar Association-approved program,” says Ross Albers, founder of Albers & Associates.

“Some also pursue bachelor's degrees in legal studies or criminal justice. These programs are offered through community colleges, universities, and dedicated legal training institutes,” he adds.

Can you get student loans for paralegal school?

If you attend an accredited school that participates in the federal student aid program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, you can seek federal student loans, grants, and other types of financial aid from the government. To do this, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Student loans from private lenders could also be an option for schools and programs that don't participate in the federal financial aid program, or if you need additional funds beyond your federal loans.

“Many aspiring paralegals do seek financial assistance,” Albers says.

“For those entering the field as a second career or without prior college experience, the up-front costs can be a barrier. We have seen that students from all walks of life — including veterans, working parents, and recent high school graduates — often rely on financial aid, employer tuition reimbursement, or scholarships to help cover tuition and related costs.”

Federal student loans for paralegal programs

If your school is accredited and participates in the federal student aid program, you should complete the FAFSA, which determines your financial aid eligibility. You can use the Department of Education's accreditation database to find out your school's status.

Federal student loan options include:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These are need-based loans for undergraduate students. They offer an interest subsidy while you're in school, during your grace period, and during periods of deferment. You can borrow between $3,500 and $5,500 per year, depending on your year in school, up to an aggregate total of $23,000.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These are available to undergraduate and graduate students, and aren't need-based. They also have annual and aggregate limits.
• Direct PLUS Loans: PLUS loans are for graduate students and parents of dependent undergraduate students. You can borrow up to your school's cost of attendance, minus any other aid you've received.

The FAFSA also allows you to apply for other forms of federal aid, such as Pell Grants, which don't need to be repaid. You can also find out if you're eligible for financial aid from your state.

Once your FAFSA has been received and processed, you'll get an award letter from the schools that accept you detailing what types of aid you're eligible for, and how much. You can then determine if you need additional financial aid.

Private student loans for paralegal school

If your school doesn't participate in the Title IV federal student aid program or you need more money than your federal aid can cover, you can look to private loans.

Private lenders like Sallie Mae and Ascent offer loans that can be used for certificate and associate degree programs, as well as other expenses you might incur on your path toward becoming a paralegal.

When looking at private student loan options, consider at least a few lenders and compare their offerings. You should review:

• Interest rates, including whether they're fixed or variable
• Any hardship options they offer (such as deferment or forbearance), as you may need these if you lose your job or have trouble making payments down the line
• Repayment options, including any grace periods offered while in school or just after graduation
• Loan terms, including how long the loan repayment period is and when your payments are due

Other ways to pay for paralegal school

Student loans are only one option for covering the cost of your paralegal education. You can also look to scholarships and grants, which come from private companies, community organizations, trade groups, and other sources.

“Organizations like the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), and local bar associations often offer scholarships,” says Albers.

If you're already employed somewhere, particularly in a legal field or at a company in need of legal professionals, you may be able to get help from your employer, too.

“For those already employed in a law-related setting, some employers will reimburse educational costs to support career advancement,” explains Albers.

There may also be state or local workforce development programs you can leverage for funds, or your school may offer grants, scholarships, or even payment plans you can use to your advantage. While these might not cover your costs outright, they can make them more manageable as you attend school.

Smart borrowing tips for legal support careers

If you know you'll need to borrow money for your education costs, be selective about the program and school you decide to attend.

“Online programs may be less expensive, and in-state tuition at community colleges is often the most affordable route,” Albers says. “You have to weigh cost with quality and accreditation when choosing a program as well.”

Beyond this, you should also:

• Only borrow what you need: Calculate exactly how much you'll need for tuition, books, course fees, certification exam costs, and other expenses. This can help you avoid overborrowing and paying more in interest than is necessary.
• Compare loan terms and lenders: If you're using private loans, your loan options and costs will vary by lender. Make sure to shop around and compare the costs before deciding where to get your loan.
• Exhaust grants, scholarships, and federal aid first: Federal loans come with more repayment options (including ones based on your income), and in the case of scholarships and grants, they don't need to be repaid.
• Consider your future salary: The median salary for a paralegal in 2024 was $61,010, so keep this in mind as you go through your education. It may not make sense to spend $200,000 on your education when you expect to earn $61,000.

Finally, see if your school has a career services department that can help you with finding and securing employment after graduation. The sooner you're employed, the easier repaying your loans will be.

Paralegal school costs

Paralegal school costs can vary quite a bit and depend largely on what school you attend and the degree or certification you're seeking.

“Most people who want to become paralegals get an associate degree or a certificate in paralegal studies from a community college, university, or trade college,” says Mark Hirsch, a personal injury lawyer at Templer & Hirsch Injury Lawyers.

“Prices can range from $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the school and length of the program,” he notes.

For example, an online paralegal certification course costs just $2,495 at the University of Houston, and an associate degree in paralegal studies is around $4,000 for in-district students at Alvin Community College. A bachelor's degree at a major university, though, will cost you much more — as much as $99,000 at Loyola University Chicago, for instance.

Paralegal salary outlook

Just as educational costs vary for paralegals, so can salaries. The average paralegal earns a median salary just over $61,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but your earnings will depend on how you use your education and where you find employment.

“Paralegals can work in law firms, businesses, or government agencies,” Hirsch says. “They can also move up to become compliance specialists, project managers, or legal educators. Because paralegals learn many different skills, they can choose from many fulfilling careers.”

The paralegal field is growing, albeit at a slower pace than the average career path. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 4,300 more paralegals will be employed in the U.S. by 2033. However, a paralegal education also gives you the opportunity to branch into other parts of the legal business.

“At our firm, we often promote high-performing paralegals into case manager or administrative leadership roles,” Albers says. “It's a flexible and rewarding field with many avenues for advancement.”