Learn how who is eligible to borrow a Parent PLUS Loan, what to consider, and how to apply.
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Student Loan Borrowing Limits in 2021?
Summary: All student loans are subject to borrowing limits. Annual limits specify how much you can borrow in a single school year, aggregate (cumulative) limits specify how much you can borrow through that loan program, and cost of attendance limits specify that the loan amount must be less than the school’s official cost of attendance minus other financial aid received.
Is There a Limit On Student Loans?
Yes. Most student loans have several types of limits on the amount you can borrow.
Annual Student Loan Limits
An annual limit specifies the maximum amount you can borrow in a single academic year in each loan program for which you are eligible.
Aggregate Student Loan Limits
An aggregate limit, sometimes called a cumulative limit, specifies the total amount you are allowed to borrow through each loan program. One of the most common loan programs, the federal Direct Stafford Loan program.
Cost of Attendance Loan Limits
Your financial aid office is not allowed to offer you financial aid in excess of your cost of attendance. Your cost of attendance is determined by your school for each academic year you are enrolled. The cost of attendance will include costs like, tuition, fees, as well as, housing, meals, transportation, etc. Now to apply this to the way you're awarded financial aid. Your school will typically add student loans to your financial aid offer after they apply your scholarships, grants, and work-study aid. Meaning, the cost of attendance (COA) limit is your cost of attendance minus other financial aid received.
The cost of attendance limit may be applied in addition to (or instead of) the annual loan limit. This loan limit is intended to prevent the total of all financial aid, including the student loans, from exceeding your school's determined cost of attendance.
How Student Loan Limits are Calculated
When you take out a student loan, both the annual and aggregate loan limits are applied to the loan amount. Each type of loan limit represents a restriction on the amount you can borrow.
Sometimes, you may want to borrow an amount that satisfies the annual limit, but you will qualify for a lower amount because your total debt would exceed the aggregate loan limit. You will then be restricted to the lower loan amount.
For example:
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan has annual limits for dependent undergraduate students based on the student’s year in school. The 2021-2022 loan limits are:
- $5,500 for freshmen
- $6,500 for sophomores
- $7,500 per year for juniors, seniors, and any additional undergraduate years of study
The Direct Unsubsidized Loan also has an aggregate loan limit of $31,000 for dependent undergraduate students.
Suppose a dependent undergraduate student in a 5-year engineering degree program borrows the annual maximum for each of the first four years, for a total of $27,000. During the student’s fifth year the annual limit would be $7,500. However, as the next table shows, the remaining aggregate loan eligibility is only $4,000 after the end of the fourth year. So, the student can’t borrow the $7,500 annual maximum as a fifth-year senior. Instead, this student can borrow no more than $4,000.
| Year | Annual Limit | Amount Borrowed | Aggregate Debt | Remaining Aggregate Loan Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year (Freshman) | $5,500 | $5,500 | $5,500 | $25,500 |
| Second Year (Sophomore) | $6,500 | $6,500 | $12,000 | $19,000 |
| Third Year (Junior) | $7,500 | $7,500 | $19,500 | $11,500 |
| Fourth Year (Senior) | $7,500 | $7,500 | $27,000 | $4,000 |
| Fifth Year (Senior) | $7,500 | $4,000 | $31,000 | $0 |
Private Student Loan Limits
Private student loans usually have an annual limit equal to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid (including accepted federal student loans). Most private student loans have aggregate loan limits of $75,000 to $120,000 for undergraduate students and higher limits for graduate and professional students. These aggregate loan limits usually include all student loan debt, including both federal and private student loans.
Medical and dental residency and relocation loans and law bar study loans typically have annual loan limits that are 50% lower than the annual loan limits for students who are currently enrolled in school.
Even though you are working with a private student loan lender, your school will still certify the total amount you are able to borrow. Your school will let your lender know if adjustments needs to be made in order to ensure you are not offered financial aid (which includes student loans) in excess of your cost of attendance minus other aid received.
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Federal Student Loan Limits
A federal student loan limit isn’t the amount you will be able to borrow, it’s the maximum the school can approve you to borrow. Your school might give you less than the loan limit.
The annual and aggregate borrowing limits on federal student loans vary based on several factors:
- Loan Program (Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan, or Direct PLUS Loan)
- Dependency Status (Dependent or Independent)
- Year in School or Grade Level (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student)
- Health Professional Student
If your grade level changes in the middle of the academic year, you may qualify for higher annual loan limits. You would then be eligible to borrow the difference between the new annual loan limit and the amount you already borrowed during the same academic year.
Similar rules apply to transfer students. Transferring from one school to another does not reset the loan limits. This can get a little tricky is you are transferring in the middle of an academic year. Your school will essentially let you borrow the difference between your annual loan limit at the new school and the amount received at the previous school. All loans borrowed through a loan program (i.e., Direct Stafford Loans) will count towards your aggregate loan limit.
Loan fees (which may be added to the loan balance) and capitalized interest do not count against the loan limits.
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan Limits
Your school's financial aid office determines how much you will be able to borrow each year. This amount might be less than the annual loan limit.
When it comes to the Direct Stafford Loan program, it's important to remember there are two types of loans in the this loan program: Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized loans. Although these loans are part of the same program, Direct Subsidized Loans have their own limits.
Eligibility for Direct Subsidized Loans is based on demonstrated financial need, up to the annual and aggregate loan limits. (As of July 1, 2012, students attending graduate school or professional school are no longer eligible to borrow new Direct Subsidized Loans.)
One more thing to keep in mind, beyond annual and aggregate loan limits, there is a maximum eligibility period for you to receive Direct Subsidized Loans. For first-time borrowers whose first loan was obtained on or after July 1, 2013, there is a maximum eligibility period of time that you can receive Direct Subsidized loan funds.You are only able to receive Direct Subsidized loans for no more than 150% of the published length of your program.
For example, if you are enrolled in a four-year degree program, the maximum amount of time you can receive Direct Subsidized loan funds is 150% of four years, which is six years.
Eligibility for Direct Unsubsidized Loans does not depend on demonstrated financial need.
Aggregate loan limits, sometimes referred to as cumulative limits, may be refreshed by repaying the debt. So, if you have hit the aggregate loan limit, you will need to pay down your loan before you will be eligible to borrow more.
The aggregate loan limits for students attending graduate school or professional school students include any undergraduate federal student loan debt.
Borrowing Limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits for Health Profession Students
Health profession students, such as students enrolled in medical school, are eligible for higher Direct Loan limits.
There are two different levels of increased loan limits, depending on the area of study (see table). These limits are available only to health profession students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students enrolled at foreign institutions are not eligible.
| Health Professions Programs Eligible for Higher Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits |
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limit
9-Month Academic Year
|
Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limit
12-Month Academic Year
|
|---|---|---|
|
$40,500 | $47,167 |
|
$33,000 | $37,167 |
Some schools may also offer 10-month or 11-month academic programs, which would have different annual limits than those listed here. Check with your school’s financial aid office to get the limits for your program.
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Other Direct Loan Limits
Additional Loan Funds for Preparatory Coursework
- All students: Up to $2,625 for coursework required for enrollment in an undergraduate degree or certificate program
- Bachelor’s degree recipients: Up to $5,500 for coursework required for enrollment in a graduate or professional degree or certificate program
- Bachelor’s degree recipients: Up to $5,500 for state-required teacher certification coursework
These loan funds are limited to a period of 12 consecutive months. Any loans received for preparatory coursework will be counted towards your Direct Loan aggregate loan limits.
If Parents Refuse to File the FAFSA
If a dependent undergraduate student’s parents refuse to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the college’s financial aid administrator may allow the student to borrow additional Direct Unsubsidized Loans despite the incomplete FAFSA. The student, however, will not be eligible for the Direct Subsidized Loan, the Federal Pell Grant, or other forms of federal student aid.
Increased Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits for Dependent Undergraduate Students
There are times when a dependent student can become eligible for the same Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits as independent students:
- Parents are denied eligibility for a Parent PLUS Loan
- Other documented "exceptional circumstances," even if parents aren't denied eligibility for a Parent PLUS Loan
In some exceptional circumstances, college financial aid administrators may allow a dependent undergraduate student to borrow at the higher Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits available to independent students without requiring the parent to obtain a denial of a Parent PLUS Loan.
College financial aid administrators aren't required to make the student eligible for the higher loan limits, even if exceptional circumstances exist.
Prorated Annual Loan Limits for Undergraduate Students
Annual loan limits for Direct Loans are prorated (adjusted) for undergraduate students who are enrolled in programs that are:
- Shorter than one academic year; or
- Remaining period of study is shorter than one academic year
For example, if an undergraduate student in a 4-year Bachelor’s degree program will be graduating at the end of the fall semester (halfway through the academic year), the student is eligible for half of the annual loan limit for seniors.
Half-time students are eligible for the same annual loan limits as full-time students.
Direct PLUS Loan Limits
The annual loan limit for the Direct PLUS Loan (Parent PLUS Loan or Grad PLUS Loan) is the annual cost of attendance minus other aid received during the enrollment period. There is no aggregate loan limit. The loan limits are the same for both parents of undergraduate students as well as graduate students.
Direct Consolidation Loan Limits
There are no limits on Direct Consolidation Loans (also known as Federal Consolidation Loans), other than the underlying limits on the loans included in the consolidation loan.
Recommendations
- File the FAFSA every year to maintain your eligibility for student aid.
- When you compare different types of student loans, make sure you understand both the annual and aggregate loan limits.
- If you are a dependent undergraduate student and your parents won’t qualify for a Parent PLUS Loan due to an adverse credit history, encourage them to apply anyway because a denial will make you eligible for the same Direct Loan limits as an independent student.
- If you’ve hit the annual and/or aggregate limits on federal loans, but you still need additional funds to complete your education, consider private student loans as a potential option.
Compare Featured Private Student Loan Lenders
- Variable Rates: 1.13% APR - 11.23% APR. Fixed Rates: 3.50% APR - 12.60% APR. Lowest rates shown include the auto debit discount.1
- Choose from multiple repayment options, including no payments while in school1
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty2
- Cover up to 100% of your school-certified college expenses like tuition, fees, books, housing, meals, travel, and even a laptop for the entire school year3
- The only undergraduate student loan that offers 4 months of Chegg® study help 4
This loan is for undergraduate students at participating degree-granting schools. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend a participating school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify their identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
1Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan's Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. Payments may be required during the grace/separation period depending on the repayment option selected. Variable rates may increase over the life of the loan. Advertised variable rates reflect the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Advertised APRs assume a $10,000 loan to a freshman with no other Sallie Mae loans. The borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction benefit. This benefit applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment, if available for the loan.
2Although we do not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note-first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.
3Loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received as certified by the school. Sallie Mae reserves the right to approve a lower loan amount than the school-certified amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half time.
4This promotional benefit is provided at no cost to borrowers with new loans that disburse between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022. Borrowers are not eligible to activate the benefit until July 1, 2021. Borrowers who reside in, attend school in, or borrow for a student attending school in Maine are not eligible for this benefit. Chegg Study® offers expert Q&A where students can submit up to 20 questions per month. No cash value. Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit http://www.chegg.com/legal/smtermsandconditions for complete details. This offer expires one year after issuance.
Information advertised valid as of 7/22/2021
SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK SALLIEMAE.COM FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank.
Edvisors is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Sallie Mae loan customers.
© 2021 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.
- Competitive fixed and variable APRs starting at 1.04%1
- Multiple repayment options including: full principal and interest, interest-only, deferred, and flat payment
- Flexible payment terms ranging from 5, 8, 10, and 15 years2
- Coverage up to 100% of your school-certified cost of attendance ($1,000 minimum)3
- No origination, application and processing fees, no fees for early repayment
- Apply online in 3 minutes and get an instant credit decision
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust Bank, member FDIC or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
1Rates shown are for the College Ave Undergraduate Loan product and include autopay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
2This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
3As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
Information advertised valid as of 7/22/2021. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term.
- Competitive fixed & variable rates starting at 3.99% APR1
- Flexible 5, 10, or 15-year terms
- Award-winning customer service every step of the way
Offered terms are subject to change. Loans are offered by CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS # 1175900). The following table displays the estimated monthly payment, total interest, and Annual Percentage Rates (APR) for a $10,000 loan. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) shown for each in-school loan product reflects the accruing interest, the effect of one-time capitalization of interest at the end of a deferment period, a 2% origination fee, and the applicable Repayment Plan. All loans are eligible for a 0.25% reduction in interest rate (ACH discount) by agreeing to automatic payment withdrawals once in repayment, which is reflected in the APR shown for Full Principal and Interest Repayment Plan loans. Variable rates may increase after consummation. All variable rates are based on a 1-month LIBOR assumption of 0.99 as of April 25, 2017.
Under the Full Deferment Repayment Plan option, interest and principal may be deferred while a borrower is enrolled in school on at least a half time basis, and for an additional six month grace period (up to a maximum of 60 consecutive months) following (i) graduation, (ii) termination of enrollment, or (iii) if a borrower ceases enrollment on at least a half-time basis, at which time interest is capitalized and a 60-month repayment period (5-year term), a 120-month repayment period (10-year term) or a 180-month repayment period (15-year term) begins. There are three other Repayment Plan options available, an Interest Only Repayment plan, in which principal will be deferred and payments made on interest only during the same period described above after which payments will increase to full principal and interest payments, a Flat Repayment plan, in which payments of $25 will be made during the same period described above after which payments will increase to full principal and interest payments, and a Full Principal and Interest Repayment plan, in which payments will begin immediately after disbursement. A borrower's actual APR may vary depending on the repayment option selected by the borrower. The dollar amount of the origination fee is based on the amount borrowed and will be added to the outstanding loan balance upon disbursement. Loans are not offered or endorsed by the educational institution that you are attending. CommonBond is not affiliated with any educational institution.
For more information, visit https://commonbond.co/disclaimers#note3.
- Variable rates as low as 1.96% APR1; Fixed rates as low as 3.69% APR1
- Rates include 0.50% automated payment discount1, 2
- Displayed rates are for well-qualified applicants who choose the immediate repayment option at a 5-year term1
- 5, 10 or 15-year repayment terms available (rates may vary)1
- No application fees or origination fees.
- An easy student loan application with a preliminary decision in minutes.
- Cosigner Release option available.3
- Get the money you need for tuition, room and board, books and other expenses.
Important Disclosures
PNC Solution Loans are subject to credit approval. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. PNC reserves the right to modify or discontinue the terms of these program at any time. You are encouraged to explore all scholarship, grant and federal borrowing options before applying for a private loan.
1 Annual Percentage Rates (APRs): APRs include a 0.50% interest rate discount for automated payments and may vary by repayment term and other factors (refer to additional details below). Rates are for the immediate repayment option, effective as of June 29, 2021 and are subject to change at any time.
Fixed APRs: APRs range 3.69%-9.69% for a 5-year, 4.19%-10.19% for a 10-year and 4.69%-10.69% for a 15-year term. Fixed rates are based on the creditworthiness of the borrower and cosigner, if any.
Variable APRs: APRs range from 1.96%-7.96% for a 5-year, 2.46%-8.46% for a 10-year and 2.96 %-8.96% for a 15-year term. Variable rates are based on the Prime Rate index plus a margin depending on the creditworthiness of the borrower and cosigner, if any. The Prime index, adjusted monthly, is equal to the Prime Rate as published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal ‘(Eastern Edition)’ on the first business day of the immediately preceding calendar month. The Prime index is currently 3.25%. If the index increases or decreases, your rate will increase or decrease accordingly. The rate will not exceed 18%.
The lowest APR is available to well-qualified applicants. Your actual APR will be based on your credit qualifications, loan program, interest rate option, repayment term, repayment option and whether you elect the automated payment feature.
Loan Payment Examples: The monthly payment per $10,000 borrowed at a fixed-rate range of 4.19% APR to 10.19% APR for 10 years means you would make 120 payments that may range from $102.33 to $133.76. The monthly payment per $10,000 borrowed at a variable-rate range of 2.46% APR to 8.46% APR for 10 years means you would make 120 payments that may range from $94.18 to $124.20. For the variable-rate loan, monthly payment may increase or decrease if the interest rate increases or decreases. Estimated loan payment examples assume 30 days to first payment and are for the immediate repayment option. Payments vary for other rates, loan amounts and repayment terms.
2 Automated Payment Discount: During repayment, an interest rate discount of 0.50% is available for automated payments. Borrower must be making scheduled payments that include both principal and interest. Interest-only payments do not qualify for the 0.50% interest rate discount. The rate discount will be applied at the time automated payment is established. If automated payment is discontinued at any time, the discount will be removed and the rate will increase by 0.50%.
3 Cosigner Release: Requires that the borrower has made at least forty-eight (48) consecutive timely payments of principal and interest with no periods of interruption within that 48-month timeframe. To qualify, the borrower must submit a request, meet the consecutive timely payment requirements, provide proof of income and pass a credit check.
4 Repayment Options: Three repayment options are available - Immediate repayment of principal & interest, interest-only payments while in school and full deferment of principal & interest until six months after graduating or ceasing to be enrolled at least half-time in school. Interest will continue to accrue during periods of deferment. You will receive quarterly interest statements during this deferment period. Paying the interest as it accrues each quarter will save you money over the repayment term of the loan because any accrued interest that you do not pay will be added to the principal balance at the end of the deferment period.
Loan Types: PNC offers Student Loans for Undergraduates, Graduates, Health Professions, Residency and Bar Study.
- Variable rates starting at 1.04% APR (including 0.25% Auto Pay discount)1
- 9 month grace period (3 months more than most lenders)2
- No fees for origination, disbursement, prepayment or late payment
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)3
This information is for undergraduate students attending participating degree-granting schools. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents if the school is located outside of the United States. Non-U.S. citizen borrowers who reside in the U.S. are eligible with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) and are required to provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID to verify identity. Applications are subject to a requested minimum loan amount of $1,000. Current credit and other eligibility criteria apply.
1Auto Pay discount: If you make monthly payments by an automatic, monthly deduction from a savings or checking account, your rate will be reduced by one quarter of one percent (0.25%) for so long as you continue to make automatic, electronic monthly payments. Not all borrowers will qualify for our lowest rates, and your rate will be based on creditworthiness at time of application.
2Not available for borrowers who choose Earnest’s Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school.
3Earnest clients may skip one payment every 12 months. Your first request to skip a payment can be made once you’ve made at least 6 months of consecutive on-time payments, and your loan is in good standing. The interest accrued during the skipped month will result in an increase in your remaining minimum payment. The final payoff date on your loan will be extended by the length of the skipped payment periods. Please be aware that a skipped payment does count towards the forbearance limits outlined in your loan agreement. Please note that skipping a payment is not guaranteed and is at Earnest’s discretion. Your monthly payment and total loan cost may increase as a result of postponing your payment and extending your term.
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