Federal Direct Student Loan Limits
The U.S. Department of Education sets borrowing limits for the Direct Lending (DL) programs as indicated in the table below. HCC has the right to deny any loan request based on such factors as unwillingness to repay, borrowing history, and academic progression. To view your previous borrowing history, please go to "My Federal Student Aid" to view your NSLDS information.
ANNUAL AND AGGREGATE LOAN MAXIMUMS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Annual Loan Limits by Grade Level | |||
Grade Level | Base Amount |
| |
Dependent* | Independent | ||
Grade Level 1 | $3500 | $2000 | $6000 |
| Grade Level 2 (30 or more credits completed) | $4500 | $2000 | $6000 |
Aggregate Loan Limits | |||
| Dependent Undergraduate | $31,000 (Subsidized aggregate limit may not exceed $23,000) | ||
| Independent Undergraduate | $57,500 (Subsidized aggregate limit may not exceed $23,000) | ||
| Graduate/Professional | $138,500 (Subsidized aggregate limit may not exceed $65,500) | ||
*Dependent students who have a current PLUS loan denial on file with our office may be eligible to borrow an additional $4000 in Unsubsidized loan. The PLUS denial along with a loan request or a request to increase loan form (located on the Loan Adjustment Forms page) must be submitted in person to Financial Aid Services.
**The maximum loan amount an undergraduate student may borrow must be prorated in certain situations. For example, loans must be prorated if the borrower is enrolled in an eligible program of study that is shorter than a full academic year or when a borrower is enrolled in a program that is one academic year or more in length but the borrower is in a remaining period of study that is shorter than a full academic year.
***There is a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. In general, you may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the published length of your program. This is called your "maximum eligibility period". For more information about Subsidized loan limit usage, go to https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/directSubsidizedLoanTimeLimitation.action.