Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

The amount of money you are eligible to receive in Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (both annually and throughout your college career) varies based on your financial need, dependency status, and grade level.

Interest rates and repayment options also vary by loan type.

Please read below for more information regarding the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan programs. Visit our loans landing page for an overview of the federal loan process.


Federal Direct Subsidized Loans

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need.

Subsidized Loan Facts:

Interest Rate Interest Accrual Repayment Terms
6.39% for loans disbursed between July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. Interest begins accruing after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
6.53% for loans disbursed between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Interest begins accruing after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need.

Unsubsidized Loan Facts:

Interest Rate Interest Accrual Repayment Terms
6.39% for undergraduate loans; 7.94% for graduate loans disbursed between July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026. Interest begins accruing upon the receipt of loan funds. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
6.53% for undergraduate loans; 8.08% for graduate loans disbursed between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Interest begins accruing upon the receipt of loan funds. Repayment begins six months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.

Loan Limits

Please utilize the chart below to determine the maximum amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans you are eligible to receive each academic year.

Grade Level Dependent Students Independent Students
First-Year Undergraduate $5,500 (Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). $9,500 (Up to $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).
Second-Year Undergraduate $6,500 (Up $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). $10,500 (Up to $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).
Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate $7,500 (Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). $12,500 (Up to $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).
Graduate (All graduate students are considered independent). $20,500 (Graduate students are only eligible to receive unsubsidized loans).

Utilize the chart below to determine the maximum amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans you are eligible to receive as an undergraduate student.

Dependent Undergraduates Independent Undergraduates
$31,000 (Up to $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). $57,500 (Up to $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).

Please note: The aggregate loan limit is increased to the independent limit for a dependent undergraduate student if they have received additional unsubsidized loans due to a parent's PLUS Loan application denial.

If the total loan amount you receive above reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional federal loans as an undergraduate.

There are other loan options available if you reach the federal student loan annual or aggregate limit. Visit our Federal Direct PLUS Loan page and our Alternative Loans page for more information.

Utilize the chart below to determine the maximum amount in federal direct loans you are eligible to receive as a graduate student.

Graduate Current Limits (before July 1st, 2026) Graduate Changes Effective July 1st, 2026
*Aggregate Limit for Legacy Provision Students: $138,500 – includes undergraduate borrowing Aggregate Limit: $100,000 – excludes undergraduate borrowing.

If the total loan amount you receive above reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional federal loans as a graduate student.

*Legacy Provision: Students with an existing Direct Loan in their current degree program may continue borrowing under current limits (up to cost of attendance) for up to 3 years (2026-2027, 2027-2028, 2028-2029) or until program completion, whichever is sooner. A Legacy Provision will end if the student takes a fall or spring semester off or withdraws for any reason including illness or personal.

Total Aggregate Limit: $257,500 across all federal loan programs (undergraduate and graduate). Aggregates include forgiven, repaid, discharged.

There may be other loan options available if you reach the federal student loan annual or aggregate limit. Visit our Alternative Loans page for more information.

Federal Student Loan Limits

It is important to know how much student loan money you can borrow over the course of your college career.

Know Your Limits

What is the Difference?

Not sure what the difference is between a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan?

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