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When taking out student loans, it’s important to know that both federal and private student loans have borrowing caps. Federal loans have two different limits: annual and lifetime borrowing limits.
The lifetime aggregate federal student loan limit for dependent undergraduate students is $31,000, and no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans. For graduate students, the new lifetime borrowing limit is $100,000 in unsubsidized loans, and for professional students, the lifetime limit is $200,000 in unsubsidized loans.
Private lenders may also have student loan lifetime limits and annual borrowing limits, though those limits are set by the lender.
It’s possible to hit the maximum student loan amount for a lifetime before finishing school, so it’s helpful to understand how much you can get in student loans.
Key Points
• The lifetime aggregate limit for dependent undergraduate students for federal student loans is $31,000, with no more than $23,000 in subsidized loans.
• Graduate students face a lifetime limit of $100,000 in unsubsidized loans only, and professional students have a lifetime limit of $2000,000 in unsubsidized loans only.
• Private lenders also set annual and lifetime borrowing limits, which generally do not exceed the cost of attendance minus any financial aid received.
• The total cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and transportation.
• Students nearing their federal loan limits may need to seek additional funding through private loans or other financial resources.
What Is the Lifetime Limit for Student Loans?
Students have the option to borrow both federal and private student loans. There are annual borrowing limits and student loan lifetime limits.
Federal Student Loan Lifetime Limits
Federal student loans have annual and lifetime limits. The limits can vary by student, depending on three criteria:
• Year in school
• Type of loan you are eligible to borrow choose (subsidized vs. unsubsidized)
• Dependency status
Independent students, who the Education Department considers to be on their own financially, can borrow more than dependent students who can typically get help from their parents.
Even if you’re financially independent of your parents, the definition of an independent student is fairly strict, and if you are under the age of 24, you’ll need to confirm you qualify as an independent student by meeting specific criteria. If you’re not sure if you’re a dependent or independent student, see your guidance counselor or an admissions counselor who may be able to help.
Here are the current federal loan limits, depending on your status and year in school, according to the U.S. Department of Education:
| Year In School | Dependent Students | Independent Students |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | $5,500 — no more than $3,500 can be subsidized | $9,500 — no more than $3,500 can be subsidized |
| Second-year undergraduate | $6,500 — no more than $4,500 can be subsidized | $10,500 — no more than $4,500 can be subsidized |
| Third-year and beyond undergraduate | $7,500 — no more than $5,500 can be subsidized | $12,500 — no more than $5,500 can be subsidized |
| Graduate and professional student annual limit | N/A (all graduate and professional degree students are considered independent) | $50,000 annually for professional degrees, $20,500 for other graduate programs (unsubsidized loans only) |
| Lifetime limit | $31,000 — no more than $23,000 can be subsidized | $57,000 for undergraduates — no more than $23,000 can be subsidized $200,000 for professional students, $100,000 for graduate students (unsubsidized loans only) |
Recent Changes to Federal Loan Limits (2026)
The One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law in 2025 by President Trump made some significant changes to federal student loans that went into effect on July 1, 2026, including loan borrowing limits. The changes include:
• Some degree programs are now considered “professional” by the Education Department and they qualify for higher loan limits than graduate degree programs do. Professional degrees include JD (Juris Doctor or law degree), MD (medical degree), and DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine).
• There are also changes to Grad Plus and Parent Plus loans.The Grad Plus loan program has ended for new borrowers as of July 1, 2026. Graduate borrowers who start their graduate degree program after that date can only borrow federal Direct loans. Borrowers will have a maximum student loan lifetime limit of $100,000 for grad students, and $200,000 for professional students (unsubsidized loans only).
• Parent Plus loans are no longer available up to a student’s cost of attendance. Instead, they are limited to $20,000 a year, and $65,000 total, per student.
• There is a new cap on student loans. The maximum lifetime limit for student loan borrowers for most federal student loans combined is $257,000.
• Borrowing amounts for undergraduate students did not change. However, the loans borrowed as an undergrad count toward a student’s $257,000 lifetime limit.
Private Student Loan Lifetime Limits
If you choose to borrow private student loans, the annual and lifetime limit may vary by lender. That said, the annual limits typically cannot exceed the cost of attendance at your school, less any financial aid you have already received.
The total cost of attendance is a number determined by your school and typically includes tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, books, supplies, and transportation.
As for lifetime limits, it may depend on whether you’re an undergraduate student or a graduate student. Some private lenders may offer higher limits if you’re doing an MBA or going to law or medical school, for example.
Some lenders have just one limit for all loans. But in some cases, you may even see two lifetime limits: one for loans through the private lender and one for total federal and private loans.
If you’re considering borrowing from a private lender, ask about their loan limits before applying to make sure you get the funding you need.
How Loan Limits Vary by Degree Level
Student loan limits can vary significantly depending on the degree level you are pursuing:
• Undergraduate degrees: Undergraduate student loans include Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. They have annual limits ranging from $5,500 to $12,500, and aggregate limits of $31,000 to $57,500, depending on your year in school and dependency status.
• Graduate degrees: Graduate student loans include Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and they have higher annual limits, typically up to $20,500, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
• Professional degrees (e.g., law, medical): Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans for professional students have an annual limit of $50,000 and an aggregate limit of $200,000.
• Parent PLUS Loans: Parents can currently borrow up to $20,000 per year, with a $65,000 aggregate limit.
• Private student loans: Private lenders set their own limits, which can vary widely but are often based on the cost of attendance and the borrower’s creditworthiness.
Aggregate Loan Limits vs. Annual Limits
When borrowing federal student loans, it’s important to understand the difference between annual limits and aggregate (lifetime) limits.
Annual limits refer to the maximum amount a student can borrow in a single academic year. These limits vary by year in school and dependency status — for example, dependent undergraduate students can typically borrow between $5,500 and $7,500 per year, while independent undergrads may be eligible for up to $12,500 annually.
Aggregate loan limits, on the other hand, represent the total amount a student can borrow over the course of their education. For dependent undergraduate students, the aggregate cap is $31,000, while independent undergraduates can borrow up to $57,500. Graduate students have a limit of $100,000, and professional students have a higher lifetime limit of $200,000.
Recommended: How Do Student Loans Work?
What to Do If You’ve Hit the Maximum Federal Student Loan Amount
If you’ve reached your lifetime limit for federal student loans or you’re close to it, it’s probably time to start thinking about how you’re going to repay your student loans. Here are some options if you’ve maxed out your options for federal loans.
Consider Student Loan Refinancing
One way to potentially make progress toward paying off student loans and possibly save money along the way is to refinance them with a private lender. With student loan refinancing, you replace your current loans with a new one.
In some cases, borrowers may qualify for a lower interest rate than what they’re currently paying. They could also adjust their repayment schedule to pay off their student loans faster or take some more time to fit their budget better.
With a lower interest rate, a borrower may reduce the amount of money they spend on interest over the life of the loan. If they lengthen the term of the loan, the monthly payments would be lower but they’d pay more in interest over the life of the loan.
However, it is important to note that refinancing federal student loans with a private lender makes them ineligible for federal benefits, such as student loan forgiveness and deferment.
Check Out Federal Assistance Programs
If you’ve maxed out your federal student loans because your income isn’t where you’d like it to be, you may want to take a look at federal programs like income-driven repayment plans, which base your monthly payments on your income and family size.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, you might want to consider deferment or forbearance instead, which allow you to temporarily pause your payments for a certain amount of time. However, the two programs have some important differences between them.
For example, with deferment, a borrower generally doesn’t need to make payments on the interest that accrues on certain loans, including Direct Subsidized Loans. With forbearance, borrowers must pay the interest that accrues no matter what type of federal loan they have.
Consider a Private Student Loan
If you’ve reached your limit on federal student loans but still need some assistance paying for your tuition, you might consider a private student loan. There are options for fixed or variable rate private student loans, and some lenders offer flexible repayment options.
Explore Employer Tuition Assistance or Loan Repayment Programs
Another strategy if you’ve reached your student loan limit is to explore employer tuition assistance or loan repayment programs. Many employers offer financial support to help employees further their education, either by covering tuition costs directly or by providing funds to repay existing student loans.
These benefits might significantly reduce your financial burden and help you continue your education without incurring additional debt. Additionally, some companies may offer flexible payment options or matching contributions, making it easier to manage your educational expenses.
Return to School for Eligibility Reset
If you’ve reached your federal loan aggregate limit, returning to school does not reset your borrowing eligibility — you’re still bound by both annual and aggregate limits regardless of breaks or changing institutions.
However, if you are considering furthering your education, returning to school may allow you access to new loan limits. For example, if you have maxed out your undergraduate loan limits, enrolling in a master’s, doctoral, or professional program may provide you with new annual and aggregate loan limits.
The Takeaway
There are both annual and lifetime borrowing limits for federal student loans. The lifetime limit for dependent undergraduate students is $31,000, of which no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans. For independent undergraduate students, the lifetime limit is $57,550, of which no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans.
Private lenders may also have borrowing limits, but they are set by the lender. Generally speaking, private student loans are typically limited to the cost of attendance.
If you’ve reached your lifetime limit on student loans and you’re ready to start repaying them — and hoping to save some money in the process — options you may want to consider include student loan refinancing and, for federal loans, income-driven repayment plans.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
FAQ
What is the maximum student loan limit?
The maximum lifetime aggregate federal student loan limit for dependent undergraduates is $31,000, and no more than $23,000 of that can be in subsidized loans. For financially independent undergraduate students, the maximum lifetime aggregate limit is $57,500, of which no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans. For graduate students, the lifetime aggregate loan limit is $100,000 (unsubsidized loans only). For professional students, the lifetime aggregate limit is $200,000 (unsubsidized loans only). With private student loans, lenders typically set their own lifetime limits.
What is the maximum student loan you can take out per year?
First-year undergraduate dependent students can take out no more than $5,500 annually, and no more than $3,500 of that amount can be in subsidized loans. For dependent undergrads in their second year, the annual borrowing limit is $6,500, with no more than $4,500 in subsidized loans. Dependent undergraduates in their third and fourth years can take out up to $7,500, with no more than $5,500 in subsidized loans.
Graduate students can take up to $20,500 annually and professional students can take up to $50,000 annually, but only in unsubsidized loans.
Do student loans have a term limit?
Yes. The maximum repayment term for federal student loans being repaid under an income-driven repayment plan is 30 years (for the borrowers on the new Repayment Assistance Plan.) The new Tiered Standard Repayment Plan term ranges from 10 to 25 years, depending on the loan balance.
Are there different limits for graduate and undergraduate loans?
Yes, there are different limits for graduate and undergraduate loans. Undergraduate loans typically have lower annual and aggregate limits, ranging from $5,500 to $12,500 annually and $31,000 to $57,500 in total. Graduate loans have higher limits, up to $20,500 annually and $100,000 in total. Professional loans have limits of up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 in total.
What happens if I need more than the maximum loan amount?
If you need more than the maximum loan amount, you might consider alternative funding options such as private loans, scholarships, grants, or employer tuition assistance. You can also explore part-time work, internships, or reducing your course load to manage costs.
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