Annual Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate
(are you a dependent student? see our note below) (1)		 Eligible Subsidized Amount Total Limit (2)
(Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
First Year $3,500
annual limit subsidized		 $5,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Second Year $4,500
annual limit subsidized		 $6,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Third Year and Beyond $5,500
annual limit subsidized		 $7,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Independent Undergraduate
(and dependents whose parents are unable to borrow under the PLUS program) (1)		 Eligible Subsidized Amount Total Limit
(Subsidized & Unsubsidized)
First Year $3,500
annual limit subsidized		 $9,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Second Year $4,500
annual limit subsidized		 $10,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Third Year and Beyond $5,500
annual limit subsidized		 $12,500
annual limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Graduate/Professional Students Eligible Subsidized Amount Total Limit
(Unsubsidized)
For Each Academic Year - - $20,500
annual limit (unsubsidized)
Aggregate Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate $23,000 a
ggregate limit (previously subsidized)		 $31,000
aggregate limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Independent Undergraduate
(and dependents whose parents are unable to borrow under the PLUS program)		 $23,000
aggregate limit (previously subsidized)		 $57,500
aggregate limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Graduate/Professional Students
(graduate debt limit includes Stafford loans received for undergraduate study)		 $65,500
aggregate limit (previously subsidized)		 $138,500
aggregate limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)
Health Care Professionals
(graduate debt limit includes Stafford loans received for undergraduate study)		 $65,500
aggregate limit (previously subsidized)		 $224,000
aggregate limit (subsidized & unsubsidized)

(1) Your school Financial Aid Office will determine your dependent or independent status. General guidelines state that students who are "independent" from their parents or guardians for basic living expenses will be eligible for Independent loan limits. Students who are "dependent" upon their parents or guardians for basic living expenses will be eligible for Dependent loan limits.

Students who display at least one of the following requirements are classified as independent students:

  • you were at least 24 years of age on January 1 of the academic year you begin school
  • you are married
  • you are enrolled in a graduate or professional program (beyond the bachelor's degree)
  • you have legal dependents other than a spouse
  • you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18)
  • you are veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces ("veteran" includes a student who attended a U.S. military academy who was released under a condition other than dishonorable)

independent students must report only income and assets of their own (and those of their spouse, if married)

(2) The borrower may receive up to the entire amount in unsubsidized Stafford loans if the borrower does not qualify for a subsidized Stafford loan.

The total amount received from Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford loans cannot exceed the indicated annual limits. Federal regulations, terms, and rates are subject to change.

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