Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan Limits & Origination Fees
The maximum Direct Loan a student may borrow for an academic year is determined by the student’s dependency status (as determined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the number of academic credits the student has earned at the time the loan is processed and other aid the student may be receiving. Students who advance in grade level mid-year may be eligible for an increase in Direct Loan eligibility. Contact the Student Financial Services Office for additional information.
| Grade Level | Dependent Student | Independent Student or Dependent Student whose Parent is ineligible for PLUS loan |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman (0-23 credits) | $5,500 (max $3,500 subsidized) | $9,500 (max $3500 subsidized) |
| Sophomore (24-53 credits) | $6,500 (max $4500 subsidized) | $10,500 (max $4500 subsidized) |
| Junior (54-83 credits) | $7,500 (max $5500 subsidized) | $12,500 (max $5500 subsidized) |
| Senior (84+ credits) | $7,500 (max $5500 subsidized) | $12,500 (max $5500 subsidized) |
| Graduate & Law Programs | N/A – all grad & law students are considered independent | $20,500 |
NOTE: To be eligible for Graduate/Law loan limits:
- Law students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours that can be applied to the Law program requirements
- Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours that can be applied to the Graduate program requirements starting in Summer 2019 (6 credit hours minimum prior to Summer 2019).
Important Fee Information
For Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans with a first disbursement date on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2027, the loan fee is 1.057%. Loans with first disbursements prior to October 1, 2019, have different fee amounts.
For Direct PLUS Loans made to parent borrowers and graduate and professional student borrowers with a first disbursement on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2027, the loan fee is 4.228%. Loans with first disbursement prior to October 1, 2019, have different fee amounts.
Aggregate Direct Loan Limits
Direct PLUS Loans for Parents of Dependent Undergraduate Students and for Graduate or professional and Law students… may borrow a Direct PLUS loan to help cover the student’s college costs. A student’s dependency status and cost of education are determined using US Department of Education criteria.
| Type of Borrower | Legacy Aggregate Combined Loan Limit: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Borrowing (maximum subsidized) | New Borrowers Aggregate Combined Loan Limit: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Borrowing (maximum subsidized) | Lifetime Loan Limit for Non-Legacy Borrowers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 (maximum $23,000 subsidized) | $31,000 (maximum $23,000 subsidized) | $257,500 (All federal student loans, excluding parent PLUS, consolidation loans, and HEAL/Health Professions loans) |
| Independent and Dependent Undergraduate Whose Parent Cannot Borrow PLUS | $57,500 (maximum $23,000 subsidized) | $57,500 (maximum $23,000 subsidized) | $257,500 (All federal student loans, excluding parent PLUS, consolidation loans, and HEAL/Health Professions loans) |
| Graduate Student Who Has Never Been a Professional Student | $138,500 (maximum $65,500 subsidized) | $100,000 Does not include any amounts borrowed at the undergraduate level Includes subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts borrowed at the graduate level Graduate PLUS not included | $257,500 (All Federal student loans, excluding parent PLUS, consolidation loans, and HEAL/Health Professions loans) |
| Professional Student Who Is or Has Been a Graduate Student | $138,500 (maximum $65,500 subsidized) | $200,000 Does not include any amounts borrowed at the undergraduate level Includes subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts borrowed at the graduate and professional levels Graduate PLUS not included | $257,500 (All federal student loans, excluding parent PLUS, consolidation loans, and HEAL/Health Professions loans) |