FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN LIMITS & REQUIREMENTS
🎓 Federal student loans help cover educational expenses, but there are limits on how much you can borrow each year and over your lifetime. Understanding these limits and enrollment requirements ensures you receive the aid you need while staying eligible.
Loan amounts depend on your academic level, dependency status, and credits earned.
Annual Loan Limits by Program
🏫 Undergraduate Students (Dependent) |
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| 0–29 credits earned: | 💵 $5,500 total | ($3,500 subsidized max) |
| 30–59 credits earned: | 💵 $6,500 total | ($4,500 subsidized max) |
| 60+ credits earned: | đź’µ $7,500 total | ($5,500 subsidized max) |
| 📢 Additional Eligibility: If a Parent PLUS Loan is denied, dependent students may receive up to: | ||
| 0–59 credits earned | 💵 $4,000 extra | (all of which is unsubsidized) |
| 60+ credits earned | đź’µ $5,000 extra | (all of which is unsubsidized) |
🏫 Undergraduate Students (Independent) |
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|---|---|---|
| 0–29 credits earned: | 💵 $9,500 total | ($3,500 subsidized max) |
| 30–59 credits earned: | 💵 $10,500 total | ($4,500 subsidized max) |
| 60+ credits earned: | đź’µ $12,500 total | ($5,500 subsidized max) |
🎓 Post-Baccalaureate Students |
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|---|---|---|
| Dependent: | đź’µ $7,500 total | ($3,500 subsidized max) |
| Independent: | đź’µ $12,500 total | ($4,500 subsidized max) |
|
đźš« Post-baccalaureate students CANNOT:
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đź“š Graduate & Doctoral Students |
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|---|---|
| Eligible for up to: | đź’µ $20,500 annually |
| Amount depends on remaining eligibility and Cost of Attendance (COA) | |
🏦 Federal Loan Enrollment Requirements Per Semester
To receive federal student loans, you must be enrolled at least half-time each semester:
🎓 Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate Students
- âś… 6+ credits per semester
đź“š Graduate & Doctoral Students
- âś… 3+ credits per semester
⚠️ If your enrollment drops below half-time, you may lose eligibility for federal loans.
🔄 Aggregate Lifetime Loan Limit
The Aggregate Lifetime Loan Limit places a cap on the total amount you can borrow in subsidized and unsubsidized loans for undergraduate and graduate studies.
🔹 If you reach this limit, you cannot receive additional loans until you repay enough to bring your outstanding balance below the cap.
🔹 Loan eligibility may be restored once you repay a portion of your loans.
| LEVEL OF EDUCATION | AGGREGATE LIFETIME LIMIT | DISCLAIMER |
|---|---|---|
|
UNDERGRADUATE & POST-BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS (Dependent Students) |
đź’µ $31,000 MAX | Of which $23,000 can be subsidized |
|
UNDERGRADUATE & POST-BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS (Independent Students) |
đź’µ $57,500 MAX | Of which $23,000 can be subsidized |
| GRADUATE & DOCTORAL PROGRAMS | đź’µ $138,500 MAX | of which $23,000 can be subsidized |
🏛️ Loan Limit Review (LLR) Process
When you approach your Aggregate Lifetime Loan Limit, your school is notified through the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and a Loan Limit Review (LLR) is conducted.
⚙️ LLR Processing Time: 1–4 weeks, depending on:
✔️ The time of year
✔️ When your FAFSA was received
đź“Ś If additional information is needed, check your myVILLE Student Portal:
đź“Ť Finances > Financial Aid Requirements > Financial Aid Status > Select Aid Year
đź’ˇ Need Assistance? Contact the Office of Financial Aid! đź“©