Federal Direct Student Loan Limits
The following table outlines the maximum annual limits for Federal Direct Student Loans. Please note that your actual offer may be lower if your period of study is less than a full academic year or if other financial aid covers a portion of your educational costs. Dependent students are automatically awarded the maximum amount for which they are eligible based on their grade level and cost of attendance.
Dependent students, whose parent has been denied or not eligible for the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, please reach out to your financial aid counselor to complete an online form for the additional unsubsidized loan to be processed.
Undergraduate Level - Dependent Students
(Except students whose parents were denied Parent Plus Loans)
| Base* | Additional** | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (First-Year Student: 0 - 29 credits) | $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Year 2 (Sophomore: 30 - 59 credits) | $4,500 | $2,000 |
| Year 3 (Junior: 60-89 credits) | $5,500 | $2,000 |
| Year 4 (Senior: 90+ credits) | $5,500 | $2,000 |
| Year 5 (Teacher Certification and Deficiencies for Graduate Admissions) | $5,500 | $0 |
*Base amount may be either subsidized or unsubsidized as determined by student's eligibility on the FAFSA.
**Additional amount will be unsubsidized.
Undergraduate Level - Independent Students and Dependent Students Whose Parents were Denied PLUS
| Base* | Additional** | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (First-Year Student: 0 - 29 credits) | $3,500 | $6,000 |
| Year 2 (Sophomore: 30 - 59 credits) | $4,500 | $6,000 |
| Year 3 (Junior: 60-89 credits) | $5,500 | $7,000 |
| Year 4 (Senior: 90+ credits) | $5,500 | $7,000 |
| Year 5 (Teacher Certification and Deficiencies for Graduate Admissions) | $5,500 | $7,000 |
*Base amount may be either subsidized or unsubsidized as determined by student's eligibility on the FAFSA.
**Additional amount will be unsubsidized.
Graduate/Doctoral Level
Each year: $20,500 and entirely unsubsidized.
Aggregate Loan Limits for Federal Direct Student Loan
(Effective July 1, 2026 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act)
- Proration for Part-Time: Loan amounts will now be proportionately reduced based on enrollment intensity (e.g., a half-time student can only borrow 50% of the annual limit).
- Global Lifetime Limit: $257,500 Cap: A new total lifetime limit applies to all federal student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) across undergraduate and graduate levels. Parent PLUS loans are excluded from this specific global cap.
- Legacy Exception: Students already enrolled in a program and borrowing before July 1, 2026, may continue under the current (pre-OBBBA) rules for up to three additional academic years or until program completion, whichever comes first.
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 (No more than $23,00 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.) |
|---|---|
| Independent Undergraduate or Dependent Undergraduate with PLUS Denial | $57,500; (No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.) |
| Graduate/Doctoral (Includes loans received for Undergraduate Study) | $100,000 |
