Federal Direct Loan (formerly Federal Stafford Loan)
Federal Direct Loan Borrowing Limits and Definitions
FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
If you are a Dependent Undergraduate student, the following Federal Direct Loan borrowing limits and defintions apply to you:
Freshman Year - $3,500 - if you are a first year enrolled student in a program that is at least a full academic year. Plus an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized loan. Total $5500
Sophomore Year - $4,500 - if you have completed your first year and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Plus an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized loan. Total $6500
Junior Year - $5,500 - if you have completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Plus an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized loan. Total $7500
Senior Year - $5,500 - if you have completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Plus an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized loan. Total $7500
If you are an Independent Undergraduate student or a Dependent Student whose parents are unable to get a PLUS Loan, the following Federal Direct Loan borrowing limits apply to you:
First Year Student Maximum - $9,500 - if you are a first year enrolled student in a program that is at least a full academic year. Only $3,500 of this amount may be subsidized.
Second Year Student Maximum - $10,500 - if you have completed your first year and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Only $4,500 of this amount may be subsidized.
Third Year Student Maximum - $12,500 - if you have completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Only $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized.
Fourth Year Student Maximum - $12,500 - if you have completed two years of study and the remainder of your program is a full academic year. Only $5,500 of this amount may be subsidized.
The maximum outstanding debt you may have from all Federal Direct Loans combined is:
- $31,000 as a Dependent Undergraduate student
- $46,000 as an Independent Undergraduate student or as an Undergraduate Dependent student whose parents were denied a PLUS (parent loan). Only $31,000 of this loan amount may be subsidized.
- $138,500 as a graduate or professional student. Only $65,500 of this amount may be subsidized. This debt limit includes undergraduate Federal Direct Loans.
