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How Much Can You Get in Student Loans?
Several factors determine private and federal student loan limits, including cost of attendance and degree level.
Anna Helhoski is a senior writer covering economic news and trends in consumer finance at NerdWallet. She is also an authority on student loans. She joined NerdWallet in 2014. Her work has appeared in The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. She previously covered local news in the New York metro area for the Daily Voice and New York state politics for The Legislative Gazette. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Purchase College, State University of New York.
Des Toups Lead Assigning Editor | Student loans, repaying college debt, paying for college
Des Toups was a lead assigning editor who supported the student loans and auto loans teams. He had decades of experience in personal finance journalism, exploring everything from car insurance to bankruptcy to couponing to side hustles.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.
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Student loans aren’t limitless. The maximum amount you can borrow depends on factors including whether they’re federal or private loans and your year in school.
Undergraduates can borrow up to $12,500 annually and $57,500 total in federal student loans. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 annually and $138,500 total.
But just because you can borrow that much doesn’t mean you should. To keep higher education affordable, calculate how much you should borrow for college based on your expected future earnings and aim to keep your student borrowing below that amount.
The year’s best student loans
Smarter student loan decisions start with our Best-Of Awards. Shop the private loans our Nerds love.
The maximum you can borrow depends on your year in school, your status as a dependent or independent student, and the type of loan. There are three main types of federal student loans: Direct subsidized, direct unsubsidized and direct PLUS.
To apply for federal student loans, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — this FAFSA guide walks you through the process.
Direct subsidized and unsubsidized loan limits
Subsidized loans are for undergraduates only, while unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduates and graduate students.
There are both annual and aggregate loan limits for these loans. The aggregate limit is the total amount of federal student loan debt you can take on throughout your undergraduate and graduate-level studies. If you reach your total limit, you can take out additional federal student loans if you first pay down your outstanding debt.
Dependent undergraduate students
First year
$5,500 overall; $3,500 subsidized
Second year
$6,500 overall; $4,500 subsidized
Third year and up
$7,500 overall; $5,500 subsidized
Total limit
$31,000 overall; $23,000 subsidized
Independent undergraduate students
First year
$9,500 overall; $3,500 subsidized
Second year
$10,500 overall; $4,500 subsidized
Third year and up
$12,500 overall; $5,500 subsidized
Total limit
$57,500 overall; $23,000 subsidized
Graduate and professional students (unsubsidized only)
Annual limit
$20,500
Total limit
$138,500, including undergraduate loans
If you’re a dependent student and your parents aren’t eligible for a direct PLUS loans — for example, if they have an adverse credit history — you may be eligible for additional unsubsidized loans.
Direct PLUS loan limits
PLUS loans are available to graduate and professional students, and to parents of dependent undergraduate students.
There are no specific caps on PLUS loan borrowing. The maximum amount of PLUS loans you can take out is the school's cost of attendance minus other financial aid you receive or your child receives. Cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, room and board, and books and other supplies.
Max out federal subsidized and unsubsidized direct loan borrowing before tapping PLUS loans; PLUS loans have higher student loan interest rates.
Private student loan limits
Private student loan limits vary by lender. Generally, the amount you borrow can’t exceed your school’s total cost of attendance.
Max out federal student loan borrowing before taking out private student loans. Federal loans have protections that private loans don't, including income-driven repayment plans and loan forgiveness programs.
Lender
Private student loan minimums and limits
Ascent
Non-co-signed future income-based option:
Minimum loan amount: $2,001
Maximum loan amount: $200,000 (lifetime maximum). Annually, the cost of attendance.
Co-signed and non-co-signed credit-based options:
Minimum loan amount: $2,001
Maximum loan amount: $20,000
Citizens Bank
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: $100,000 (lifetime maximum). Annually, the cost of attendance minus financial aid.
College Ave
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance minus financial aid.
Discover
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance minus financial aid.
Earnest
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance.
LendKey
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance minus financial aid.
MEFA
Minimum loan amount: $1,500
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance minus financial aid.
MPOWER
Minimum loan amount: $2,001
Maximum loan amount: $25,000 per semester and $50,000 annually
Navy Federal
Minimum: $2,000 Maximum: $120,000 for undergraduates and $160,000 for graduate students.
PNC
Minimum: $1,000
Maximum: $50,000
RISLA
Minimum: $1,500
Maximum: $45,000
Prodigy Finance
Minimum: $15,000 ($35,000 in certain U.S. states)
Maximum: $220,000.
Sallie Mae
Minimum loan amount: $1,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance
SoFi
Minimum loan amount: $5,000
Maximum loan amount: School-certified cost of attendance
Custom Choice
Minimum: $1,000
Maximum: The school-certified cost of attendance minus other aid, not to exceed $99,000
