Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans Limits

The following chart illustrates the annual and aggregate loan limits for the FFEL and Direct subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008.

The limits may be a little confusing because there are two sets of limits for the Stafford loan: a combined base limit for the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loan, and an additional limit for just the unsubsidized Stafford loan.

In effect, the subsidized Stafford loan is limited to the amounts in the "Combined Base Limit" column and the unsubsidized Stafford loan is limited to the amounts in the "Total Limit" column minus the amount of any subsidized Stafford loans.

Many students combine subsidized loans with unsubsidized loans to borrow the maximum amount permitted each year.

Note also that there are separate limits for dependent undergraduate students, independent undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, and medical school students. Dependent undergraduate students whose parents have been denied a Parent PLUS loan are eligible for the higher unsubsidized Stafford loan limits available to independent undergraduate students.

Annual Loan Limits - Stafford Loan

Dependent Students
(whose parents were not denied a PLUS loan)		 Combined Base Limit for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts)
First-Year Undergraduate (Freshman) $3,500 $2,000 $5,500
Second-Year Undergraduate (Sophomore) $4,500 $2,000 $6,500
Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate (Junior, Senior) $5,500 $2,000 $7,500
Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in an undergraduate program) $2,625 $0 $2,625
Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in a graduate or professional program) $5,500 $0 $5,500
Teacher Certification Coursework $5,500 $0 $5,500


 

Independent Students (and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan) Combined Base Limit for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts)
First-Year Undergraduate (Freshman) $3,500 $6,000 $9,500
Second-Year Undergraduate (Sophomore) $4,500 $6,000 $10,500
Third-Year and Beyond Undergraduate (Junior, Senior) $5,500 $7,000 $12,500
Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in an undergraduate program) $2,625 $6,000 $8,625
Preparatory Coursework (for enrollment in a graduate or professional program) $5,500 $7,000 $12,500
Teacher Certification Coursework $5,500 $7,000 $12,500


 

Graduate and Professional Students Combined Base Limit for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts)
Graduate and Professional Students $8,500 $12,000 $20,500
Medical School Students $8,500 $32,000 $40,500

Aggregate Loan Limits - Stafford Loan


 

  Combined Base Limit for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans Additional Limit for Unsubsidized Loans Total Limit for Unsubsidized Loans (minus subsidized amounts)
Dependent Undergraduate Students (whose parents were not denied a PLUS loan) $23,000 $8,000 $31,000
Independent Undergraduate Students (and dependent students whose parents were denied a PLUS loan) $23,000 $34,500 $57,500
Graduate and Professional Students $65,500
(including undergraduate Stafford loans)		 $73,000 $138,500
Medical School Students
(Effective 4/18/08 per DCL GEN-08-04)		 $65,500
(including undergraduate Stafford loans)		 $158,500 $224,000

Stafford Loan Interest Rates and Fees

Stafford Loans have a fixed interest rate of 6.8% for loans with a first disbursement after July 1, 2006. (Previously, Stafford Loans had variable interest rates (based on 91-day T-bill rate + 1.7% during school with an additional 0.6% increase upon graduation) capped at 8.25% or less, depending on yearly adjustments.) All lenders offer the same rate for the Stafford Loan, although some give discounts for on-time and electronic payment.

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 reduced the interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for undergraduate students starting July 1, 2008. These reductions are available only to undergraduate students, not graduate students, and only for subsidized Stafford loans, not unsubsidized Stafford loans. The interest rates are illustrated in the following table.

Phased-in Cuts in Interest Rates on Subsidized Stafford Loans for Undergraduate Students

Year Interest Rate
Subsidized Stafford Loans
(Undergraduate Students)		 Interest Rate
Other Stafford Loans
(Graduate or Unsubsidized)
2007-08 6.8% 6.8%
2008-09 6.0% 6.8%
2009-10 5.6% 6.8%
2010-11 4.5% 6.8%
2011-12 3.4% 6.8%
2012-13 6.8% 6.8%


 

Stafford Loans have loan fees of 4%, which are deducted from the disbursement check. These fees consist of a 3% origination fee and a 1% default fee (previously "guarantee fee"). Starting July 1, 2006, the default fee will be mandatory. (Previously, guarantee agencies could waive the fee and many did.) The origination fee will drop from 3% to 2% on July 1, 2006, and will drop by a further 0.5% each successive July 1, until it is phased out entirely on July 1, 2010.