How much can I borrow?

Your maximum borrowing of Stafford Loans will depend on your year in school and maximum limits set by the Federal Government.

If you're a dependent undergraduate student, each year you can borrow up to

• $3,500 if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year.
• $4,500 if you've completed your first year of study, and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year.
• $5,500 if you've completed two years of study, and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year.

If you're an independent undergraduate student or a dependent student whose parents have applied for but were unable to get a PLUS Loan (a parent loan), each year you can borrow up to

• $7,500 if you're a first-year student enrolled in a program of study that is at least a full academic year. No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
• $8,500 if you've completed your first year of study, and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
• $10,500 if you've completed two years of study, and the remainder of your program is at least a full academic year. No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

If you're a graduate or professional degree student, each year you can borrow up to

• $20,500 with no more than $8,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

When you graduate with a graduate or professional degree, the maximum total debt allowed from Stafford Loans is $138,500. No more than $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. This maximum total graduate debt limit includes Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study.