Direct Loan Limits
**New** Annual Student Loan Acknowledgement (previously called the “Informed Borrowing Confirmation” process) was implemented in late April 2020 by DOE. This new process requires student and parent borrowers to log in to StudentAid.gov each year to review and acknowledge the total amount currently owed in federal student loans.
Annual and lifetime (total debt) limits for subsidized and unsubsidized student loans are mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. The amounts include the outstanding principal balance on the loans (excluding interest and other charges).
| Annual Direct Loans Limits | |||
| Dependent Undergraduate Students | Subsidized Limit | Unsubsidized Limit | Total Annual Limit |
| Freshman | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Junior/Senior | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,500 |
| Independent Students & Dependent Students whose parents were denied a PLUS Loan | Subsidized Limit | Unsubsidized Limit | Total Annual Limit |
| Freshman | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Sophomore | $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 |
| Junior/Senior | $5,500 | $7,000 | 12,500 |
| Graduate Students | None | $20,500 | $20,500 |
| Aggregate (Lifetime) Direct Loan Limits |
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| Subsidized Limit | Unsubsidized Limit | Total Lifetime Limit | |
| Dependent Undergraduate Students | $23,000 | $8,000 | $31,000 |
| Independent Undergraduate Students & Dependent Students whose parents were denied a PLUS Loan | $23,000 | $34,500 | $57,500 |
| Graduate Students (includes UG loans) | $138,500 | $138,500 | |
Click here for the most updated information on Loan Limits and current interest rates.
- All "Maximum Total Debt" amounts (lifetime limits) include both DIRECT and FFELP subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
- The graduate total debt limit includes subsidized and unsubsidized student loans received during undergraduate study.