Maximum Allowable Loan Amounts

Students borrowing a Federal Direct Student Loan, including subsidized and/or unsubsidized, are subject to maximum allowable loan limits.

The maximum amount you can borrow is determined by your class level and dependency status. The combined total that you may borrow through Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans can’t exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other financial aid or the maximum annual amount allowable by law—whichever is less.

Annual Maximum Loan Limit

This limit restricts the total amount of direct student loans that you may borrow annually.

The annual maximum loan amount an undergraduate student may borrow must be prorated when the student’s remaining period of study is shorter than an academic year and the student is enrolled in less than 15 hours. A student who’s planning to graduate at the end of the fall semester is subject to this requirement.

  Dependent Student Independent Student
Freshman (0-29 credit hours) $5,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) $9,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized)
Sophomore (30-59 credit hours) $6,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized) $10,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized)
Junior/Senior (60+ credit hours) $7,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized) $12,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized)
Graduate Professional N/A $20,500
Veterinary Medicine N/A $40,500

Aggregate Maximum Loan Limit

This limit restricts the amount of direct student loans that may be borrowed over your college career.

The higher maximum loan limit 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.

Student Type 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 (no more than $65,500 subsidized)
Veterinary Medicine $224,000 (no more than $65,500 subsidized)