Federal Loan Limits
You can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period as long as you don't exceed the annual loan limits. If you're a dependent undergraduate student, each year you can borrow up to:
- $3,500 subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year.
- $4,500 subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized if you've completed 30 credits and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year.
- $5,500 subsidized and $2,000 unsubsidized if you've completed 60 credits and the remainder
of your program is at least a full academic year.
If you're an independent undergraduate student or a dependent student whose parents have applied for but were unable to get a PLUS Loan (a parent loan), each year you can borrow up to:
- $9,500 if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
- $10,500 if you've completed 30 credits and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
- $12,500 if you've completed 60 credits and the remainder of your program is at least
a full academic year. No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
If you're a graduate or professional degree student, each year you can borrow up to:
- $20,500 if your cost of attendance is above that amount. No more than $8,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
When you graduate with a graduate or professional degree, the maximum total debt allowed from Stafford Loans is $138,500. No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. This maximum total graduate debt limit includes Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study.
These amounts are the maximum yearly amounts you can borrow in both subsidized and unsubsidized FFELs or Direct Loans, individually or in combination. Because you can't borrow more than your cost of attendance minus the amount of any Federal Pell Grant you're eligible for and minus any other financial aid you'll get, you may receive less than the annual maximum amounts.
**Students must complete Student Loan Exit counseling upon graduation or if registered less than half-time.