Loan Limits

There is a time limit for Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. Subsidy is limited to 150% of the length of the educational program for FDS loans that were disbursed on or after July 1, 2013, for students who have no outstanding principle—Direct Loan or FFELP—at the time of their disbursement. For example, if a student is enrolled in a four-year educational program, their eligibility limit for FDS is six years.

Annual: Undergraduate dependentFDSTotal FDS/FDU
Freshman (0 to 25 credits) $3,500 $5,500
Sophomore (26 to 55 credits) $4,500 $6,500
Junior (56 to 87 credits) $5,500 $7,500
Senior (88+ credits) $5,500 $7,500
Second bachelor's degree $5,500 $7,500
Aggregate $23,000 $31,000
Annual: Undergraduate independentFDSTotal FDS/FDU
Freshman (0 to 25 credits) $3,500 $9,500
Sophomore (26 to 55 credits) $4,500 $10,500
Junior (56 to 87 credits) $5,500 $12,500
Senior (88+ credits) $5,500 $12,500
Second bachelor's degree $5,500 $12,500
Aggregate $23,000 $57,500
Graduate students¹FDSFDU
¹Master's, doctoral, specialist degree-granting program or SPADA certificate
Annual $0 $20,500
Aggregate $65,500 $138,500
Professional certification¹Dependent studentIndependent student
¹State permanent teacher certification
Annual FDS $5,500 $5,500
Annual total FDS/FDU $5,500 $12,500
Aggregate FDS $23,000 $23,000
Aggregate total FDS/FDU $31,000 $57,500