Maximum Loan Limits

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Students borrowing a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, including subsidized and/or unsubsidized, are subject to maximum allowable loan limits. There are limits of which you need to be aware.

  • Annual Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the total amount of Direct Student Loans that may be borrowed annually.
  • Aggregate Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the amount of Direct Student Loans that may be borrowed over a student's college career.
  • The combined total that you may borrow through Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other financial aid or the maximum annual amount allowable by law, whichever is less.
  • The maximum annual amount you can borrow in the form of a Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan(s) is determined by your class level and dependency status.

Annual Maximum Loan Limits

Type of Student Dependent Student Independent Student
Freshman: 0 - 25 credit hours $5,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) $9,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized)
Sophomore: 26 - 55 credit hours $6,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized) $10,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized)
Junior/Senior: 56+ credit hours $7,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized) $12,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized)
Graduate Professional N/A $20,500 (no subsidized eligibility)
Law N/A $20,500 (no subsidized eligibility)

Aggregate Maximum Loan Limits

Type of Student Amount
Dependent Student $31,000 (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
Independent Student $57,500 (no more than $23,000 subsidized)
Graduate Professional $138,500 for all combined from all undergraduate, graduate, professional and Law (no more than $65,500 subsidized)
Law Student $138,500 for all combined from all undergraduate, graduate, professional and Law (no more than $65,500 subsidized)

 The higher maximum loan for independent students reflects a combination of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. The annual maximum Subsidized Loan Stafford eligibility is limited to the dependent eligibility for each class level.