Federal Direct Student Loan Limits

Listed below is the amount you may borrow in Federal Direct Student Loans per academic year. For periods of study shorter than an academic year, borrowing amounts will be less than those listed. In addition, loan amounts may be less if you receive other financial aid used to cover a portion of your education costs. Dependent students will be automatically certified for the maximum amount allowed based upon grade level, cost of education, and other financial aid received.  Dependent students, whose parent has been denied or not eligible for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, must complete a request form in order for the additional unsubsidized loan to be processed. 


Undergraduate Level - Dependent Students

(Except students whose parents were denied Parent Plus Loans)

 Base*Additional**
Year 1 (First-Year Student: 0 - 29 credits)$3,500$2,000
Year 2 (Sophomore: 30 - 59 credits)$4,500$2,000
Year 3 (Junior: 60-89 credits)$5,500$2,000
Year 4 (Senior: 90+ credits)$5,500$2,000
Year 5 (Teacher Certification and Deficiencies for Graduate Admissions)$5,500$0

*Base amount may be either subsidized or unsubsidized as determined by student's eligibility on the FAFSA.
**Additional amount will be unsubsidized.

Undergraduate Level - Independent Students and Dependent Students Whose Parents were Denied PLUS

 Base*Additional**
Year 1 (First-Year Student: 0 - 29 credits)$3,500$6,000
Year 2 (Sophomore: 30 - 59 credits)$4,500$6,000
Year 3 (Junior: 60-89 credits)$5,500$7,000
Year 4 (Senior: 90+ credits)$5,500$7,000
Year 5 (Teacher Certification and Deficiencies for Graduate Admissions)$5,500$7,000

*Base amount may be either subsidized or unsubsidized as determined by student's eligibility on the FAFSA.
**Additional amount will be unsubsidized.

Graduate/Doctoral Level 

Each year: $20,500 and entirely unsubsidized.


Aggregate Loan Limits for Federal Direct Student Loan

(Effective July 1, 2008)

Dependent Undergraduate$31,000
(No more than $23,00 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.)
Independent Undergraduate or
Dependent Undergraduate with PLUS Denial
$57,500 
(No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.)
Graduate/Doctoral
(Includes loans received for Undergraduate Study)
$138,500