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Annual Loan Limits for Federal Loans

Annual Loan Limits

Annual loan limits refer to the maximum amount a student may borrow each academic year. The annual limit is based on the student's dependency status and the number of credits already completed. The amount that can be borrowed as a subsidized loan is based on the student's financial need as calculated by FAFSA.

Aggregate Loan Limits

The aggregate loan limit is the maximum amount a student can borrow in federal loans over the course of the student's education.

Year

Dependent Students (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)

Independent Students (and dependent  undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)

First-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit

$5,500—No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$9,500—No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Second-Year Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit

$6,500—No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$10,500—No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate Annual Loan Limit

$7,500—No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$12,500—No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Graduate or Professional Students Annual Loan Limit

Not Applicable (all graduate and professional students are considered independent).

$20,500 (unsubsidized only).

Subsidized and unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit

$31,000—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

$57,500 for undergraduates—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

 

$138,500 for graduates or professional students—No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate aggregate limit includes all federal loans received for undergraduate study.