How Much Are The Federal Student Loans Worth?

If you are looking for the actual dollar amounts that you can borrow in federal student loans every college year, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a snapshot of how much federal student loan amounts are by year.

Multiple dollar bills rolled up and lined up side to side.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits for Dependent Students

  • Freshman – $5,500
  • Sophomore – $6,500
  • Junior/Senior – $7,500
  • Graduate students – Not applicable (federal student loans consider all grad students as independents)

Direct Unsubsidized Loan Limits for Independent Students

  • Freshman – $9,500
  • Sophomore – $10,500
  • Junior/Senior – $12,500
  • Graduate students – $20,500

No origination fees or prepayment penalties

Fixed rates from 3.70% - 8.75% APR with auto-debit

Learn More

PLUS and GradPLUS Loan Limits

Across all years, the annual limit of both the PLUS and GradPLUS federal student loan is up to the total cost of attendance, and less the amounts of aid received.

Graduate students enrolled in medical programs may be eligible for higher Direct Unsubsidized Loan limits.

And when it comes to private scholarships, use College Raptor’s Student Loan Finder to compare lenders and interest rates side by side!

 

Lender Rates (APR) Eligibility
Citizens logo.
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CITIZENS
Sallie Mae logo.
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT SALLIE MAE
Credibe company logo.
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CREDIBLE
Lendkey company logo.
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT LENDKEY
Ascent company logo.
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ASCENT
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ISL
Earnest company logo.
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT EARNEST
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ELFI
College Raptor is not a loan lender and does not assume responsibility for suggesting a loan to a user who may not be eligible for it. Rates, terms, conditions, eligibility, approval, and other considerations are the decisions of the lenders and may vary depending on which lender or marketplace the user selects. We urge users to carefully consider and review all loan options and terms before committing to taking out a loan.

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