Federal Stafford Loan borrowing limits


Annual limits for loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008

Maximum Annual Amounts
Borrower's
Academic Level		 Dependent Students
Whose Parent Can
Borrow PLUS Loans		 Dependent Students Whose Parent Cannot Borrow PLUS Loans & Independent Students
Base Amount
Additional Unsubsidized
Base Amount
Additional Unsubsidized
First Year
Undergraduate		 $3,500 $2,000 $3,500 $6,000
Second Year
Undergraduate		 $4,500 $2,000 $4,500 $6,000
Third Year & Remaining
Undergraduate		 $5,500 $2,000 $5,500 $7,000
Graduate or
Professional Student		 N/A $8,500 $12,000

The base amount includes subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Students who are not eligible for a full subsidized loan may borrow their remaining eligibility under the unsubsidized program. Example:

  Subsidized Unsubsidized Additional Unsubsidized Total
Dependent first-year undergraduate student who is eligible for maximum subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan amounts and whose parents are eligible to borrow a PLUS loan $3,500 $2,000 $0 $5,000
Dependent first-year undergraduate student who is eligible for the maximum subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan amounts and whose parents are not eligible to borrow a PLUS loan $3,500 $6,000 $0 $9,500
Independent first-year undergraduate student who is only eligible for $2,500 of the maximum subsidized Federal Stafford Loan amount, but is eligible for the maximum unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan amount $2,500 $1,000 $6,000 $9,500

Health Profession and Teaching Students

Students who fall into certain categories may qualify for additional loan amounts.

  • If you are a health profession student, depending on the program of study, the annual loan limit will be the lesser of:
    • your cost of attendance less other financial aid or
    • your regular unsubsidized Stafford Loan limit plus your applicable HEAL loan maximum
  • If you are taking coursework that is not part of an eligible program such as preparatory coursework or pursuing a teacher certification after you have a degree, you have different loan limits:
    • If you are taking preparatory coursework required for enrollment in an undergraduate degree or certificate program (course of study not to exceed 12 months), you would be eligible to borrow up to $2,625 as a dependent undergraduate student and up to $4,000 in additional unsubsidized Stafford for an independent student or dependent student whose parent is not eligible for PLUS.
    • If you are taking preparatory coursework for enrollment in a graduate or professional program, you would be eligible to borrow up to $5,500 as a dependent undergraduate student and up to $7,000 in additional unsubsidized Stafford for an independent student or dependent student whose parent is not eligible for PLUS.

If you already have a baccalaureate degree and are taking coursework necessary for one of the following, you would be eligible to borrow up to $5,500 in subsidized Stafford Loans and $7,000 in additional unsubsidized Stafford Loans:

  • Enrollment in a graduate or professional program
  • A state certification (or professional credential) required for teaching

Aggregate (cumulative) loan limits

Total debt you can have outstanding from all Stafford Loans combined:

  • Dependent undergraduate student – $31,000 (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
  • Independent undergraduate student – $57,500 (no more than $23,000 may be subsidized)
  • Graduate or professional student – $138,500 (no more than $65,500 may be subsidized)
  • Professional student of medicine, dentistry, or optometry – $224,000 (no more than $65,500 may be subsidized)