Borrowing Limits

Federal Stafford Loan

The total combined amounts a student may borrow in subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans may not exceed the annual loan limits or aggregate limits, which are specified in federal regulations.

The amount of the subsidized loan combined with other “need-based” aid cannot exceed the student’s “financial need.”  The EFC is based on information collected from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Although the unsubsidized loan is a non-need based aid, the amount of the unsubsidized loan, combined with other aid, cannot exceed the total estimated cost of attendance.

 

Borrowing Limits

The total combined amounts a student may borrow in subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans may not exceed the annual loan limits or aggregate limits, which are specified in federal regulations.

Annual Limits

• Annual loan limits are determined by class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.) and dependency status. • *Certificate program students are only eligible for Stafford loans at the undergraduate level if they are pursuing the Teacher Certification Program for which they have an approved Statement of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education.

Class Credits Earned Freshman 01 - 29 Sophomore 30 - 59 Junior 60 - 89 Senior 90 -120

NOTE: A dependent student whose parent has been denied a PLUS loan during the current aid year may be eligible to receive Federal Stafford loans at the independent level with proof of PLUS loan denial from the lender. A PLUS loan letter of denial from the lender is only valid for one aid year.

2008-2009 Annual Loan Limits

Per Academic Year Fall & Spring (Combined ) Amounts Dependent Maximum Subsidized Additional Unsubsidized Combined Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Freshman $3,500 $2,000 = $5,500 Sophomore $4,500 $2,000 = $6,500 Junior/ Senior $5,500 $2,000 = $7,500 Independent Maximum Subsidized Additional Unsubsidized Combined Subsidized & Unsubsidized Freshman $3,500 $6,000 = $9,500 Sophomore $4,500 $6,000 = $10,500 Junior/ Senior $5,500 $7,000 = $12,500 Graduate $8,500 $12,000 = $20,500

 

Per Semester Amounts Dependent Maximum Subsidized Additional Unsubsidized Combined Subsidized/ Unsubsidized Freshman $1,750 $1,000 = $2,750 Sophomore $2,250 $1,000 = $3,250 Junior/ Senior $2,750 $1,000 = $3,750 Independent Maximum Subsidized Additional Unsubsidized Combined Subsidized & Unsubsidized Freshman $1,750 $3,000 = $4,750 Sophomore $2,250 $3,000 = $5,250 Junior/ Senior $2,750 $3,500 = $6,250 Graduate $4,250 $6,000 = $10,250

Aggregate Limits

The cumulative amount that a student can borrow through the years is called the aggregate limit.

A student who exceeds the aggregate loan limit is ineligible to receive any Title IV funding, including the Federal Pell Grant.

Teacher Certification Program students have the same aggregate limits as undergraduate students.

Please note that the graduate aggregate limits include any loan amount borrowed during undergraduate study.

To view your loan history, visit the National Student Loan Data System(NSLDS) Web site.

Aggregate Limit in 2008-2009
	Maximum Subsidized	Additional Unsubsidized	Combined Subsidized/Unsubsidized
Dependent Undergraduate	$23,000	$8,000 =	$ 31,000
Independent Undergraduate	$23,000	$34,500 =	$ 57,500
Graduate (includes Undergrad Amount)	$65,500	$73,000 =	$ 138,500

Federal PLUS Loan and Grad PLUS Loan

The borrowing limits of Federal PLUS loans and Federal Grad PLUS, when combined with other financial aid, cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance.

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