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Stafford Loan Limits
The Stafford loan program is the best loan option for covering higher education expenses. However even it has limitations. The below chart demonstrates the guidelines, but your financial aid office will determine your actual eligibility based on grade level, student dependency status and financial need.
| Dependent student | Independent student | |
| 1st-year undergraduate | $5,500 (maximum $3,500 subsidized) | $9,500 ($3,500) |
| 2nd-year undergraduate | $6,500 ($4,500) | $10,500 ($4,500) |
| 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduate | $7,500 ($5,500) | $12,500 ($5,500) |
| Graduate/professional | NA (All graduate and professional students are considered independent.) | $20,500 ($8,500) |
Below are the lifetime aggregate limits for Stafford loans.
- $31,000 for dependent undergraduate students. No more than $23,000 may be subsidized.
- $57,500 for independent undergraduate students. No more than $23,000 may be subsidized.
- $138,500 for graduate or professional students. No more than $65,500 may be subsidized; includes loans for undergraduate study.
Ken’s Tip – Always max out your Stafford loan eligibility each year before using any private loans. Also keep in mind that if you end up going into a fifth year of undergraduate studies you may run out of eligibility because you reached your aggregate limit.
