Stafford Loans

How much can I borrow?

The maximum amount you can borrow is based on whether you are a graduate or undergraduate school, your status as a student (independant/dependant) and what year you are in at school.

The actual amount you will be able to borrow is determined by your school's financial aid department.

Undergraduate Stafford Loan

	Dependent Undergraduate Student	Independent Undergraduate Student*
1st Year	$3,500	$7,500 - Max of $3,500 can be in subsidized loans
2nd Year	$4,500	$8,500 - Max of $4,500 can be in subsidized loans
3rd, 4th Years and 5th year where applicable	$5,500	$10,500 - Max of $5,500 can in subsidized loans
Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans:	$23,000	$46,000 - Max of $23,000 can be in subsidized loans

Graduate Stafford Loan

	Graduate/Professional Student
1st Year	$18,500 - No more than $8,500 can be in subsidized loans
2nd Year
3rd and 4th Years (and 5th year, where applicable)
Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans:	$138,000 - No more than $65,500 can be in subsidized loans. The graduate debt limit includes Stafford Loans received for undergraduate study.

Students may not always qualify for the maximum amount - check with your financial aid office. For additional loan funding, consider private student loans or graduate plus loans which allow you to borrow up to the total cost of education less other financial aid received.

* Independent undergraduate students These loans are available to independant undergraduates (undergrads who finance school themselves) or dependent undergraduates whose parents are unable to get a PLUS loan