Maximum Allowable Loan Amounts for Federal Stafford Loans
Students borrowing a Federal Stafford Loan, including subsidized and/or unsubsidized, are subject to maximum allowable loan limits. The following limits, of which you need to be aware, are:- Annual Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the total amount of Stafford Loans that may be borrowed annually.
- The combined total that you may borrow through Federal Stafford Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans annually cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus other financial aid or the maximum annual amount allowable by law, whichever is less.
- Aggregate Maximum Loan Limit: Restricts the amount of Stafford Loans that may be borrowed over a student's college career.
The maximum annual amount you can borrow in the form of a Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan(s) is determined by your class level and dependency status.
Annual Maximum Loan Limits
| Dependent Student | Independent Student | |
| Freshman: 0 - 29 credit hours |
$5,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) |
$9,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized) |
| Sophomore: 30 - 59 credit hours |
$6,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized) |
$10,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized) |
| Junior/Senior: 60+ credit hours |
7,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized) |
$12,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized) |
| Graduate level | N/A | $20,500 (all unsubsidized beginning Fall 2012) |
Aggregate Maximum Loan Limits
| Amount | |
| Dependent Student | $31,000 (no more than $23,000 subsidized) |
| Independent Student | $57,500 (no more than $23,000 subsidized) |
| Graduate | $138,500 (no more than $65,500 subsidized) |