Students borrowing a Federal Direct Loan, including Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized, are subject to the following loan limits:
- Annual Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the total amount of Federal Direct loans that may be borrowed during a single academic year (fall, spring, and/or summer).
- The combined total (Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans) cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other financial aid or the maximum academic year amount allowable by law, whichever is less.
- Aggregate Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the total amount of Federal Direct Loans that may be borrowed over a student’s college career.
Please note: First-time undergraduate borrowers on or after July 1, 2013, have a limit on the period of time they may receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. The time period is measured in academic years.
The maximum annual amount you can borrow in federal subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan(s) is determined by your grade level and dependency status. Learn more about your dependency status by visiting our Dependency Status Page.
Annual Maximum Loan Limits
| Grade Level | Dependent Students | Independent Students |
| Freshman: 0 – 29 credit hours | $5,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) | $9,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) |
| Sophom*ore: 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 Students | N/A | $20,500 (Graduate students are not eligible to receive subsidized loans) |
| PhD Candidates in Human Services Psychology, Clinical Psychology Concentration ONLY | N/A | $33,000 (Graduate students are not eligible to receive subsidized loans) |
Aggregate Maximum Loan Limits
| Amount | |
| Dependent Students | $31,000 (no more than $23,000 subsidized) |
| Independent Students | $57,500 (no more than $23,000 subsidized) |
| Graduate Students | $138,500 (no more than $65,500 subsidized) |
| PhD Candidates in Human Services Psychology, Clinical Psychology Concentration ONLY | $224,000 (no more than $65,500 subsidized) |
The higher maximum loan limits for independent students reflects a combination of Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans.
First-time Undergraduate Borrowers on or after July 1, 2013
You may receive Federal Direct Subsidized Loans only up to 150% of the published length of your program. For example, students who are enrolled in a program designed to take four years may receive Subsidized loans for a period of six years (150 percent of 4 years = six years). For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
