Federal Direct Loan Limits
Authorized by Ensuring Continued Access to
Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715)
Effective for Federal Direct Loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008
First-Year Undergraduates (less than 30 credits earned)
Academic Grade Level/Loan Type and Maximum Loan Amount
Base Direct Loan eligibility (subsidized and unsubsidized):
Dependent Student = $3,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $3,500
Additional unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility:
Dependent Student = $2,000
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $6,000
Maximum First-Year Total:
Dependent Student = $5,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $9,500
Second-Year Undergraduates (30-59 credits earned)
Academic Grade Level/Loan Type and Maximum Loan Amount
Base Direct Loan eligibility (subsidized and unsubsidized):
Dependent Student = $4,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $4,500
Additional unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility:
Dependent Student = $2,000
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $6,000
Maximum Second-Year Total:
Dependent Student = $6,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $10,500
Third-and Subsequent-Years Undergraduates (60 or more credits earned) and Certificate Students
Academic Grade Level/Loan Type and Maximum Loan Amount
Base Direct Loan eligibility (subsidized and unsubsidized):
Dependent Student = $5,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $5,500
Additional unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility:
Dependent Student = $2,000
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $7,000
Maximum Third-and Subsequent-Years and Certificate Student Total:
Dependent Student = $7,500
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $12,500
Graduate and Professional Students
Academic Grade Level/Loan Type and Maximum Loan Amount
Total unsubsidized Direct Loan eligibility:
Dependent Student = N/A
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $20,500
Maximum Graduate and Professional Total:
Dependent Student = N/A
Independent Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS = $20,500
Aggregate Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate or Certificate Student:
$31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which may be subsidized)
Independent Undergraduate or Certificate Student or Dependent Student Whose Parent Is Ineligible for Federal Direct PLUS:
$57,500 (no more than $23,000 of which may be subsidized)
Graduate/Professional Student:
$138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which may be subsidized)
- Interest rates for undergraduate borrowers are fixed at 4.99% for loans disbursed between July 1, 2022 and June 20, 2023. For graduate borrowers, the Unsubsidized loan rate is fixed at 6.54% for loans disbursed between July 1, 2022 and June 20, 2023.
- A net origination fee of 1.057% of the gross amount of the loan for loans is charged for loans first disbursed between 10/01/2020 and 09/30/2023. The fee amount is subject to change based on federal funding.
- There are repayment plans designed to meet the needs of almost every borrower.
- No payments of principal are required while enrolled at least half-time (on Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans), but interest accrues while enrolled for Unsubsidized Direct Loans. Students can choose to pay the interest while they are in school or have the interest added to their principal.
If your class level changes during the year, you may be eligible for an increase in your Federal Direct Loan. If you wish to request an increase in your loan amount, you must present the request in writing.
The Federal Student Aid Ombudsman of the Department of Education helps resolve disputes and solve other problems with federal student loans.
You may access your prior Federal Loan (Perkins, Direct, and Stafford) information on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website. This site contains all of your federal Title IV aid history. You can also view your Federal Loan information, including comparing payment plans, by logging into studentaid.gov under the Manage Loans section. Both sites require your FSA username and password to log in.
