<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Federal Direct Loans” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ title_level=”h3″ title_font_size=”26px” custom_padding=”12px||12px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. These are funds that must be repaid and do incur interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the difference between Subsidized Loans and Unsubsidized Loans?<\/strong><\/h4>\nDirect Subsidized Loans<\/strong> are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized Loan<\/p>\n\n- while you\u2019re in school at least half-time,<\/li>\n
- for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period*), and<\/li>\n
- during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Direct Unsubsidized Loans<\/strong> are available to undergraduate and graduate students; there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need. You are responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.<\/p>\nEligibility<\/strong><\/h4>\nTo receive either type of loan, you must be enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program. Generally, you must also be enrolled in a program that leads to a degree or certificate awarded by the school. Direct Subsidized Loans are available only to undergraduate students who have financial need. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to both undergraduates and graduate or professional degree students. You are not required to show financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.<\/span><\/p>\nAnnual and Aggregate Loan Limits<\/strong><\/h4>\nYour school determines the loan type(s), if any, and the actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year. However, there are limits on the amount in subsidized and unsubsidized loans that you may be eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limits) and the total amounts that you may borrow for undergraduate and graduate study (aggregate loan limits). The actual loan amount you are eligible to receive each academic year may be less than the annual loan limit. These limits vary depending on<\/p>\n
\n- what year you are in school and<\/li>\n
- whether you are a dependent or independent student.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you are a dependent student whose parents are not eligible for a Direct PLUS Loan, you may be able to receive additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds.<\/em><\/p>\nUndergraduate Students<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Dependent Student Annual Loan Limits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nYear in School<\/strong><\/td>\nSubsidized Loans<\/strong><\/td>\nUnsubsidized Loans<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal Annual Loan Limit<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Freshman<\/td>\n | $3,500<\/td>\n | $2,000<\/td>\n | $5,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Sophomore<\/td>\n | $4,500<\/td>\n | $2,000<\/td>\n | $6,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Junior, Senior, and Post-Bacc<\/td>\n | $5,500<\/td>\n | $2,000<\/td>\n | $7,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Teacher Certification<\/td>\n | $5,500<\/td>\n | $2,000<\/td>\n | $7,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n Additional Loan Eligibility (Independent students and Dependent students with a Parent Plus Loan denial) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nYear in School<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal Subsidized\/Unsubsidized Base Loan Limits <\/strong><\/td>\nAdditional Unsubsidized Loans<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal Adjusted Annual Loan Limits<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Freshman<\/td>\n | $5,500<\/td>\n | $4,000<\/td>\n | $9,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Sophomore<\/td>\n | $6,500<\/td>\n | $4,000<\/td>\n | $10,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Junior, Senior, and Post-Bacc<\/td>\n | $7,500<\/td>\n | $5,000<\/td>\n | $12,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Teacher Certification<\/td>\n | $7,500<\/td>\n | $5,000<\/td>\n | $12,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n Federal Direct Loan Aggregate Limits<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nUndergraduate Aggregate Limits<\/strong><\/td>\nDependent Students<\/strong><\/td>\nIndependent Students or Dependent Students with a Parent Plus Loan Denial<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Subsidized Loans<\/td>\n | $23,000<\/td>\n | $23,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Subsidized\/Unsubsidized Loans<\/td>\n | $31,000<\/td>\n | $57,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n Graduate Students<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annual Loan Limits<\/strong><\/h4>\n | | | | | | | | | | | | | |