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What is the maximum you can borrow in federal student loans?

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Emily Carr

Published Mar 15, 2026

What is the maximum you can borrow in federal student loans?

The maximum amount you can borrow depends on factors including whether they're federal or private loans and your year in school. Undergraduates can borrow up to $12,500 annually and $57,500 total in federal student loans. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 annually and $138,500 total.

Keeping this in consideration, is there a limit on unsubsidized student loans?

$57,500 for undergraduates—No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans. The aggregate loan limits include any Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans you may have previously received under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program.

Also, how much can a freshman borrow in student loans? The 2019-2020 loan limits are: $5,500 for freshmen. $6,500 for sophomores. $7,500 per year for juniors, seniors, and any additional undergraduate years of study.

Additionally, how much money can you borrow for a unsubsidized loan?

If you are an undergraduate student, the maximum amount you can borrow each year in Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans ranges from $5,500 to $12,500 per year, depending on what year you are in school and your dependency status.

What is the maximum amount of student loans for graduate school?

Loan Limits: How Much You Can BorrowStudents attending graduate school or professional school can borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans. The aggregate (cumulative) loan limit is $138,500, including undergraduate debt (and no more than $65,500 in Direct Subsidized Loans).

Is it bad to take out unsubsidized loans?

But that doesn't mean federal direct unsubsidized loans are a bad deal. They are still government student loans, and that means they come with low, fixed rates and some valuable borrower benefits. In fact, direct unsubsidized loans for undergraduates carry the same interest rate as subsidized loans.

What is the lifetime limit for student loans?

The lifetime aggregate limits for federal student loans (Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and Direct Loan Program) are as follows: Graduate students: $138,500 combined (only $65,500 may be subsidized; includes amounts borrowed as an undergraduate student).

How do I get more money from my federal student loans?

3.Consider private student loans
  1. Have good credit or get a cosigner.
  2. Find reputable private lenders.
  3. Complete and submit a full student loan application.
  4. Follow up with the lender and financial aid office.
  5. Sign a promissory note and disburse funds.

How much does the average American have in student loan debt?

Average Student Loan Debt in The United States. The average college debt among student loan borrowers in America is $32,731, according to the Federal Reserve. This is an increase of approximately 20% from 2015-2016. Most borrowers have between $25,000 and $50,000 outstanding in student loan debt.

What to do if you maxed out financial aid?

What to Do If You Run Out of Financial Aid
  1. Call your school's financial aid office immediately. If the financial aid you've been awarded is running out, the first thing you should do is call your college's financial aid office.
  2. Beg, Borrow, or Steal. (OK, don't steal.)
  3. Work it.
  4. Apply for really easy scholarships.
  5. Look into private loans.

Can you pay off unsubsidized loans while in school?

If you have a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, you have the option to pay interest while you are in school or you can wait until you are no longer enrolled. If you do not pay the interest, it will capitalize and be added to your total repayment amount.

What is the repayment process for student loans?

Your minimum monthly payment is based on the type of loan, the amount you owe, the length of your repayment plan and your interest rate. You'll typically have 10 to 25 years to repay federal loans entirely. Shorter lengths of repayment time or larger loans will result in higher monthly payments.

How much should I borrow in student loans?

Baum recommends that students, on average, keep their debt low enough that they don't have to spend more than 10 percent of their post-graduation pretax income on student loan bills. Of course, students who are on track to earn big bucks (as computer scientists, for example) can afford to borrow a little more.

How much student loan can I get per semester?

Annual vs. aggregate: per year vs.
Dependent Undergraduate Student
First Year (0-29 credits)$5,500. A maximum of $3,500 may be subsidized.
Second Year (29.1-59 credits)$6,500. A maximum of $4,500 may be subsidized.
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Years (59.1+ credits)$7,500. A maximum of $5,500 may be subsidized.

How much will my monthly student loan payment be?

Average undergrad student loan payment
The average student loan debt for recent graduates with a bachelor's degree is $29,000. Let's say you're paying the average student loan interest rate of 4.53% for undergrads and enroll in the standard 10-year repayment plan, your monthly payments will be $305.

How much is too much student debt?

While no one wants to pay student loans, $25,000 in education debt is manageable for the average professional earning $30,000 to $40,000. Depending on a student's eligibility, most (if not all) of this debt would be in government loans. Based on a 20-year term, installments would be around $150 per month.

How can I get more unsubsidized loans?

How to Apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan
  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or Renewal FAFSA (for returning students) at FAFSA.ed.gov.
  2. Receive your financial aid award letter by mail or email from your school's financial aid office.

What is better subsidized or unsubsidized loans?

If you meet the financial need requirements to qualify for subsidized loans, you'll pay less over time. That's because while your subsidized loan for undergraduate study will carry the same interest rate as an unsubsidized loan, interest won't accrue while you're still in college and during other periods of nonpayment.

How do you negotiate a financial aid package?

How to Negotiate a Financial Aid Package
  1. ASK FOR A SPECIFIC NUMBER. Provide a specific — and reasonable — number for the school to re-consider.
  2. PUT YOUR APPEAL IN WRITING. Showing up to the financial aid office to make an in-person appeal won't help your child's case.
  3. PROVIDE EVIDENCE — FOR EVERYTHING.
  4. DRIVE HOME YOUR COMMITMENT.

Can you decline a student loan after accepting it?

You can decline or reduce you loans on the Student Loan Confirmation page in MyUI. If you reduce your loans, all of your loans will show as accepted and will be placed on hold. It may take up to three business days for your cancellation/reduction request to be processed.

What is the average student loan amount per year?

Average student loan debt for recent graduates
According to an annual survey of thousands of colleges by the College Board, two-thirds of students who earned a four-year degree in 2017 borrowed for college. Among those who borrowed to get a bachelor's degree: Average student loan debt, recent graduates → $28,500.

How do middle class parents pay for college?

Scholarships account for 28 percent, with the rest covered by parent and student loans. The middle class is faring better than both higher and lower income families in reducing out-of-pocket college spending. Those making less than $35,000 pay the most, with parents and students contributing $14,500.

How can I get a student loan without my parents?

Five Action Steps to Get a Student Loan Without a Parent
  1. No matter what, fill out the FAFSA form. The one step in the “no-parent” student loan that actually requires a parent's involvement is the FAFSA form.
  2. Explore going independent with your college loan.
  3. Check out tuition installment plans.
  4. Check your SAR.

Can you increase student loan amount?

Go to your school's financial aid website where you accepted, sign in to your account and adjusted the student loan. You can typically return to the site and change the amount of the student loan you're accepting. Your school may also have a loan change request form you need to complete and submit to change the amount.

Do all student loans require a cosigner?

While most federal student loans don't require a cosigner, private student loans are a different story. If you have limited or poor credit, you may need a cosigner to receive private student loans. A cosigner can help you get approved for a loan as well as avail of a lower interest rate.

How do I know if my student loan is a federal loan?

The first thing you should do to see if you have federal loans is log on to the National Student Loan Data System. The only loans listed here are federal. If you've never used the NSLDS before, you'll want to click the “Financial Aid Review” button on the homepage, hit “Accept,” and then enter your credentials.

What to do if you run out of student loans?

Here are some of your options:
  1. Address your eligibility.
  2. Consider filing a financial aid suspension appeal.
  3. Apply for grants and scholarships.
  4. Take out private student loans.
  5. Work your way through college.
  6. Ask for help.

What is the average student loan debt for a masters degree?

According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, average grad school debt for those who have earned a master's degree is $66,000 .

How much student finance can I get for a masters?

Master's students can apply for Student Loans Company loans of up to £10,906 to pay for their courses, which they'll only need to repay if they earn enough once the course ends.

What happens when I run out of financial aid?

If the financial aid you've been awarded is running out, the first thing you should do is call your college's financial aid office. This is what they're there for (well, it's one of the things, anyway), so put them to work! Your college's financial aid officers are trained to help you solve this problem.

How much do graduate students get for financial aid?

Graduate students' federal aid consists mainly of unsubsidized Direct Student Loans of up to $20,500 per year and possible eligibility for work-study funding, where they can find jobs on campus or in the community and work to earn their award allocations.

Can I get student loans for a second master degree?

Federal student loans: Federal Stafford student loans are available for second bachelor's degrees, but the lifetime limit is based on your total time as an undergraduate. A master's degree student would start over with federal Stafford student loan lifetime limits, Kantrowitz says.

How much federal aid do graduate students get?

Graduate students' federal aid consists mainly of unsubsidized Direct Student Loans of up to $20,500 per year and possible eligibility for work-study funding, where they can find jobs on campus or in the community and work to earn their award allocations.

Will financial aid pay for two masters degrees?

These academic financial aid initiatives have helped millions of students to complete their degrees and masters. You can get financial aid for studies as long as you remain eligible. So if you play according to those rules you might be able to get a student loan for second master's.

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