Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan Limits By Career & Grade Level

Dependent

Independent

Freshman* $5,500 $9,500

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

Sophomore* $6,500 $10,500

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

Junior* $7,500 $12,500

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

Senior* $7,500 $12,500

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

Dependent Independent
Career Limit $31,000 $57,500
No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

 

 


Annual Loan Limit
Graduate/
Professional*
$20,500
As of July 1,2012 subsidized loans are no longer available to graduate and professional students.
Career Limit $138,500
No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

 

*The chart above provides maximum annual and total loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans as of July 1, 2012.  Annual limits include fall, spring, and summer.  For more information on federal student loan borrowing limits, https://studentaid.gov/.