Office of Student Aid : Loans : Federal Direct Stafford Loan : Loan Amounts-Undergraduate Students
Direct Stafford Loan Limits for Undergraduate Students
Dependent Undergraduate Studentsa |
Direct Stafford Loan |
Extended Direct Stafford Loan |
|---|---|---|
| First year (0-27 credits) |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
| Second year (27.1-59 credits) |
$4,500 |
$2,000 |
| Third, Fourth and Fifth years (59.1+ credits) |
$5,500 |
$2,000 |
Independent Undergraduate Studentsa |
Direct Stafford Loan |
Extended Direct Stafford Loanb |
| First year (0-27 credits) |
$3,500 |
$6,000 |
| Second year (27.1-59 credits) |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
| Third, Fourth and Fifth years (59.1+ credits) |
$5,500 |
$7,000 |
| Teacher Certificationc Only (Based on fifth year) |
$5,500 |
$7,000 |
a) Undergraduate Students - Yearly loan amounts may be limited based on other financial aid received and the cost of attendance while enrolled. Loans and other aid can never exceed your cost of attendance, even if you have not reached the yearly loan maximum.
b) Increased Extended Direct Stafford Loan is awarded to only: (1) independent students or (2) dependent students, if a parent has been denied the Direct Parent PLUS Loan.
c) Teacher Certification - Due to federal statute, Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility is based on fifth year undergraduate loan limits even though you are required to have a bachelor's degree and your admission is administered by the Graduate School at Penn State.
Career Maximum |
Direct Stafford Loan |
|---|---|
| Dependent Undergraduate Students | $31,000* |
| Independent Undergraduate Students | $57,500* |
*Only $23,000 of this amount can be subsidized.
To determine the cumulative amount of Stafford loans you have borrowed to date, access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).