Maximum Annual Loan Limits Chart for Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans
| Dependent Undergraduate Student | Independent Undergraduate Student | Graduate/Professional Student | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Year |
$3,500 subsidized $2,000 unsubsidized |
$9,500—No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $20,500 unsubsidized only |
| 2nd Year |
$4,500 subsidized $2,000 unsubsidized |
$10,500—No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | |
| 3rd and 4th Years (each) |
$5,500 subsidized $2,000 unsubsidized |
$12,500—No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | |
| Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans When You Graduate | $31,000, No more than $23,000 of which can be subsidized | $57,500 No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. | $138,500—No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The graduate debt limit includes loans received for undergraduate study. |
The subsidized loan cannot be more than the cost of attendance minus Expected Family Contribution and other financial aid received. The student’s eligibility equals the amount that remains or up to the maximum dollar figure posted in the loan application chart.
The unsubsidized loans cannot be more than the cost of attendance minus other financial aid or up to the maximum dollar figure posted in the loan chart.
If the student's enrollment status changes, the amount may have to be recalculated.