New Borrower Loan Limits

Undergraduate Dependent: Annual Loan Limit

Credit Hours Earned Base Amount Unsubsidized Annual Limits
Freshman, 0 - 29 credit hours earned $3,500 $2,000 $5,500
Sophomore , 30 - 59 credit hours earned $4,500 $2,000 $6,500
Junior and Senior, 60+ credit hours earned $5,500 $2,000 $7,500

Undergraduate Independent: Annual Loan Limit

Credit Hours Earned Base Amount Unsubsidized Annual Limits
Freshman, 0 - 29 credit hours earned $3,500 $6,000 $9,500
Sophomore , 30 - 59 credit hours earned $4,500 $6,000 $10,500
Junior and Senior, 60+ credit hours earned $5,500 $7,000 $12,500

Graduate and Professional Students: Annual Loan Limit

Student Type Annual Limits
Graduate Student $20,500
Veterinary Medicine Student $50,000

Need to borrow more?

Graduate PLUS Loans are not available under "new" loan rules. Students whose educational expenses exceed their annual Direct Loan limit may wish to explore private educational loans. Private loans are offered by private lenders and typically require a credit review or creditworthy cosigner.

Lifetime Total Aggregate Limit

Student Type Maximum Subsidized Total Lifetime Aggregate Limit
Dependent Undergraduate $23,000 $31,000
Independent Undergraduate $23,000 $57,500
Graduate N/A $100,000
Eligible Veterinary Medicine Students N/A $200,000

Important: The Graduate and Eligible Veterinary Student Lifetime Limit apply only Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans borrowed while enrolled as a graduate or professional student. Subsidized or Unsubsidized Federal Loans borrowed as an undergraduate do not count toward the $100,000 Graduate or $200,000 Eligible Veterinary Medicine lifetime aggregate limits.

However, all borrowers are also subject to an overall federal student loan limit of $ 257,500 which includes most federal student loans borrowed as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional (Veterinary Medicine) student.