Stafford Loan Limits
Authorized by the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R.
5715). Effective for Stafford loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008.
| Academic Grade Level/Loan Type |
Maximum Loan Amount |
| First-Year Undergraduates |
Dependent Student |
Independent Student
or Dependent Student Whose Parent Is
Ineligible for PLUS |
Base Stafford loan eligibility
(subsidized & unsubsidized) |
$3,500 |
$3,500 |
| Additional unsubsidized Stafford loan eligibility |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Maximum First-Year Total |
$5,500 |
$9,500 |
| Second-Year Undergraduates |
Base Stafford loan eligibility
(subsidized & unsubsidized) |
$4,500 |
$4,500 |
| Additional unsubsidized Stafford loan eligibility |
$2,000 |
$6,000 |
| Maximum Second-Year Total |
$6,500 |
$10,500 |
| Third- and Subsequent-Years
Undergraduates |
Base Stafford loan eligibility
(subsidized & unsubsidized) |
$5,500 |
$5,500 |
| Additional unsubsidized Stafford loan eligibility |
$2,000 |
$7,000 |
| Maximum Third- and Subsequent-Years Total |
$7,500 |
$12,500 |
| Graduate & Professional Students |
Base Stafford loan eligibility
(subsidized & unsubsidized) |
N/A |
$8,500 |
| Additional unsubsidized Stafford loan eligibility |
N/A |
$12,000 |
| Maximum Graduate/Professional Total |
N/A |
$20,500 |
| Aggregate Loan Limits |
| Dependent Undergraduate Student |
$31,000 (no more than $23,000 of which may be
subsidized) |
Independent Undergraduate Student or
Dependent Student whose Parent is ineligible for PLUS |
$57,500 (no more than $23,000 of which may be
subsidized) |
| Graduate/Professional Student* |
$138,500 (no more than $65,500 of which may be
subsidized) |
*Higher limits may apply for certain health professions students.