Effective July 1, 2026
At Center for Advanced Legal Studies, we want students to have clear, responsible, and manageable ways to pay for their education. Our goal is to help students complete their program while avoiding unnecessary student loan debt whenever possible.
Beginning July 1, 2026, CALS will limit the amount of federal student loans it certifies each academic year.
Institutional Loan Limits
| CALS Program | Annual Loan Limit |
|---|---|
| Paralegal Certificate | $9,500.00 |
| Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal | $9,500.00 |
| Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business | $10,500.00 |
These are CALS institutional loan limits. A student’s actual loan eligibility may be lower depending on federal financial aid rules, other aid received, remaining loan eligibility, and the student’s cost of attendance.
CALS also reviews each student’s funding plan before enrollment. Some funding options are not subject to class-start enrollment caps, while others are limited to ensure CALS meets annual funding requirements.
Enrollment Limits by Funding Source
| Enrollment Classification | Type and extent of funding | Maximum percentage of class start |
|---|---|---|
| A | Student pays directly for their education, including monthly or extended payment options. | Unlimited |
| B | Student pays at least 15% down toward their direct education costs or chooses an approved monthly payment plan of at least $150 per month from non-federal sources and remains current on that plan. In both cases students utilize federal financial assistance to cover remaining direct institutional charges, such as tuition, books, and fees, and not additional living or personal expenses. | Unlimited |
| C | Students who need to rely exclusively on federal student aid to cover both their direct education costs and additional living expenses. | 40% |
| D | Student is eligible for and uses VA education benefits, even if they also use federal grants or loans. | Unlimited, but these students will be counted against the 40% limit and potentially impact availability for those under category C. |
Students using VA education benefits are not subject to this enrollment cap. However, because CALS must manage each class start carefully, seats taken by students using VA benefits may reduce the number of available seats for students relying only on federal student aid for both school costs and living expenses.
Students who choose the $150 monthly payment option must stay current and in good standing while enrolled. Falling behind on the payment plan may change the student’s funding category and could affect continued enrollment or future class-start eligibility.
Our admissions and financial aid teams are available to help students understand their options and choose a funding plan that works for their goals. CALS encourages every student to borrow only what is needed and to ask questions before making a final funding decision.
Federal financial assistance is meant to help students pay for their education when needed, not serve as a source of income. CALS programs are designed for working adults, and students attend all classes online. Incoming students should have living arrangements and a means to satisfy other financial obligations secured prior to enrollment.
Remember, student loans incur fees and interest and must be repaid, regardless of what many may have been led to believe in recent years.
For complete Institutional Loan Limits and Funding-Based Enrollment Limits Policy details, please click the link below.
Institutional Loan Limits and Funding-Based Enrollment Limits Policy
Director
Eric received his Paralegal Certificate from Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) in 1988 and worked as a paralegal in Houston, Texas, for six years. Eric returned to CALS in 1996 and has served in numerous roles. Eric helped migrate traditional paralegal classes and programs online and, more recently, developed the Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business program.
