Student Loans

Federal Direct Student Loans

 

 
Borrower
Dependent or independent students
Dependent or independent students
Parents of dependent undergraduate students and graduate or professional students borrowing for themselves
Annual Loan Limits
For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008:
 
Undergraduate students

Year 1: $3,500
Year 2: $4,500
Years 3-5: $5,500

Graduate or professional students 

$8,500

 
For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008:
 
Dependent students

For years 1-5, same limits as subsidized Stafford plus $2,000 (up to the cost of education)

Independent students and dependent students whose parents cannot borrow a PLUS loan

Same limits as subsidized Stafford plus these additional amounts up to the cost of education:

Years 1-2: $6,000
Years 3-5: $7,000

Graduate or professional students

Same limits as subsidized Stafford plus $12,000 (up to the cost of education)
Cost of education less any other financial aid awarded
Aggregate Loan Limits
Undergraduate dependent students

$23,000

Undergraduate independent students

$23,000

Graduate or professional students

$65,500
Undergraduate dependent students

$31,000 (no more than $23,000 can be subsidized)

Undergraduate
independent students

$57,500 (no more than $23,000 can be subsidized)

Graduate or professional students

$138,500 (no more than $65,500 can be subsidized)
No limit; eligible borrowers can borrow up to the cost of education.
In-School Interest
Paid by federal government
Paid by the borrower*
Paid by the borrower*
Grace Period
Interest paid by federal government during the six-month grace period
Interest paid by borrower during the six-month grace period
No grace period; the parent borrower may request to postpone repayment until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half time.  Graduate and professional students may defer payments while enrolled and request forbearance for six months after they cease to be enrolled at least half time.
Repayment Terms
Repayment begins after the grace period. The minimum monthly payment is $50. The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.
Repayment begins after the grace period. The minimum monthly payment is $50. The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.
The first payment is due within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed, unless repayment has been postponed or deferred. The minimum monthly payment is $50. The maximum repayment term is 10 to 25 years and is based on the total loan balance.