Legal Education and Student Loans
The Council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is the federally recognized accreditor of American law schools. Its rulemaking process and procedures are largely independent of the larger ABA. More information on that process can be found here. The ABA as an organization also adopts policy positions recommending consideration of certain factors in accreditation and admission to the bar, while also strongly supporting the Council’s independent role as the federal law school accreditor. The ABA has long focused on special concerns facing law students as well as the impact education policy can have on the administration of justice through a diverse, representative legal profession. The ABA is committed to exploring solutions and strategies to assist graduates to manage substantial student loan debt, including loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, particularly for those pursuing laudable public service careers.