Federal loans for undergraduate students
Federal student loans are available to most students regardless of income and provide a range of repayment options, including income-based repayment plans and loan forgiveness benefits, which other education loans are not required to provide. To be considered for a federal student loan, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program
- Be enrolled in six or more units per quarter
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, for maintaining financial aid
- Not be in default on a prior federal student loan or exceed annual and lifetime borrowing limits
Direct loan disbursements
Loans are awarded in three equal disbursements over the fall, winter, and spring quarters. For example, if a borrower requests $3,500 for a loan period that includes three quarters, the loan disbursements would be:
- Fall $1,167
- Winter $1,167
- Spring $1,166
For students who plan to attend one or two quarters: Submit a Change in Aid form to report changes to your enrollment. Financial aid staff will update your MyAwards account for you to review pro-rated loan eligibility. Funds will be disbursed equally across the quarters of attendance.
Loan proration
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBB, students who accept federal loans but are enrolled less than full-time will have their loan amounts prorated. Part-time enrollment is defined as fewer than 12 units per academic quarter. The expected changes will go into effect on July 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 academic year.
Loan servicer
Visit studentaid.gov for loan servicer information on all federal loans.
Eligibility
Please see general eligibility requirements for federal student aid for more details.
Important dates
See undergraduate student loans for important loan dates.
Loan limits
The following chart shows the annual and aggregate loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans:
Direct Stafford loan maximums
| Dependent undergraduates | Units | Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-year | 0-44.9 units | $3,500 | $2,000 | $5,500 |
| Second-year | 45-89.9 units | $4,500 | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Third-year | 90-134.5 units | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,500 |
| Fourth-year | 135+ units | $5,500 | $2,000 | $7,500 |
| Independent undergraduates OR undergraduates whose parents are unable to borrow Direct PLUS loan | Units | Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Annual total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-year | 0-44.9 units | $3,500 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Second-year | 45-89.9 units | $4,500 | $6,000 | $10,500 |
| Third-year | 90-134.5 units | $5,500 | $7,000 | $12,500 |
| Fourth-year | 135+ units | $5,500 | $7,000 | $12,500 |
Aggregate Stafford loan limits
| Student type | Subsidized | Unsubsidized | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent undergraduate | $23,000 | $8,000 | $31,000 |
| Independent undergraduate | $23,000 | $34,500 | $57,500 |
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
Visit Federal Direct Subsidized Loan for details.
- Available to undergraduate students with financial need
- The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on a Direct Subsidized loan
- while you are in school at least half-time,
- for the first six months after you leave school (referred to as a grace period), and
- during a period of deferment (a postponement of loan payments).
- Interest rate and loan fees for the year are determined annually on July 1
- Payments do not begin until 6 months after you graduate, drop out, or fall below half-time status
- Loan servicer will be assigned by the U.S. Department of Education
- Does not require a credit check
- Processing fee deducted from each disbursement
- 2026-27 loan offers can be accepted or declined in MyAwards beginning mid-late July. Requirements can be completed after the loan has been accepted.
- 2026-27 Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (MPN) and Entrance Counseling files will be uploaded starting late July. Keep confirmation(s) for your records.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Available to undergraduate students regardless of financial need
- Interest rate and loan fees for the year are determined annually on July 1
- Interest begins accruing immediately after the first payment is applied to the student account
- The student can choose to pay the interest while enrolled or upon entering repayment
- Payments do not begin until 6 months after you graduate, drop out, or fall below half-time status
- Loan servicer will be assigned by the U.S. Department of Education
- Does not require a credit check
- Processing fee deducted from each disbursement
- 2026-27 loan offers can be accepted or declined in MyAwards beginning mid-late July. Requirements can be completed after the loan has been accepted.
- 2026-27 Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan (MPN) and Entrance Counseling files will be uploaded starting late July. Keep confirmation(s) for your records.
Federal Perkins Loan
The Federal Perkins loan program ended on September 30, 2017. No new loan offers can be made after this date.
- Loan does not accrue interest for students enrolled half-time or more
- 5% annual interest rate
- 9-month grace period
- Does not require a credit check
- No processing fees
- Limited availability
- Under federal law, the authority for schools to make new Perkins Loans ended on September 30, 2017. As a result, students can no longer receive Perkins Loans.
Federal loan updates
Learn how the One Big Beautiful Bill, or OBBB, Act affects your federal loan borrowing. Visit Changes to federal student loans.